Chelostoma campanularum (Kirby,1802)
Synonyms
Apis florisomnis minima CHRIST 1791; Apis florisomnis THOMSON 1872
Description and notes
A predominantly black bee; the abdomen is narrow and cylindrical, which is probably an adaptation to using small-bore beetle burrows as nest sites. The males have the final segment of the abdomen modified to form a two-pronged peg which is used to hold on inside flowers during the night or in poor weather, which gives a good method for recording the bees under such conditions.
Video
A female Chelostoma campanularum preparing a boring in timber for nest use. Shrewsbury 15 July 2014. Video by Nigel Jones
Distribution
This is a species which may be abundant in gardens in Southern and Central England, but is curiously absent from Wales, Scotland and the Channel Islands. It is widespread in Europe and is also found in North Africa.
Status (in Britain only)
This bee is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.
Habitat
Although most often noticed in gardens it is also frequent, though easily overlooked, visiting Campanula species in the wild.
Flight period
June to August. Univoltine.
Pollen collected
Westrich (1989) states that it is oligolectic on the flowers of bellflowers (Campanula spp.), and this is the only plant family with which I have found it associated in the wild. However, I have, on a number of occasions, seen females collecting pollen at a Geranium cultivar in my garden, despite the nearby presence of flowering bellflowers.
Nesting biology
Nests in small-bore beetle burrows, often using woodworm-infested planks on garden sheds and fence-posts.
Flowers visited
A wide range of Campanulaceae including sheep’s-bit (Jasione montana) (M Edwards), also Geraniaceae.
Parasites
No parasites are recorded for this species in Britain. Author of profile: M Edwards.
Year profile last updated
Profile written:
Proofed: January 2012