Ivy Bee

Don't really know why but bees are my least favourite insects. However at this time of year I always enjoy photographing the insect visitors to the ivy flowers. When I've been capturing hoverflies, bumble bees, butterflies, honey bees, wasps, and hornets I've never seen ivy bees before. 

From the family known as plasterer bees, these solitary insects with their striped abdomens are relative newcomers to the UK, they were first recorded here in 2001.