The European Wool Carder Bee is an introduced solitary bee notable for males that are larger than females — the reverse of most bees — and that ferociously defend flower patches, body-slamming and evicting other bees including bumble bees. Females collect plant hairs ('wool') to line their nest cells. It is widespread in North American gardens and is an effective pollinator of many flowering plants.
Best time to see a European Wool Carder Bee
The best time to see a European Wool Carder Bee is May–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,100 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a European Wool Carder Bee? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent European Wool Carder Bee sightings near you
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