Megachile circumcincta (Kirby,1802)
Synonyms
Apis bryorum SCHRANK 1781
Distribution
Widely distributed throughout Britain from the southern coast of England to northern Scotland (Golspie). However, it is undoubtedly decreasing in southern England. For example, the most recent record from Hampshire is 1983 (S R Miles),West Sussex in 1974 (M Edwards, pers. comm.), and for Surrey in 1973 (D Baldock, pers. comm.). Populations still exist on the extensive coastal dune systems of eastern Scotland, including those at Culbin (abundant in June 1982, pers. obs.), Newburgh, and Rattray Head. The species occurs throughout much of Eurasia, from Fennoscandia south to Iberia, and east to Iran and Siberia.
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as being of conservation concern, though its widespread decline, at least in southern Britain, indicates its status should be reviewed.
Habitat
Coastal dunes and inland heaths.
Flight period
Univoltine, late May to early August.
Pollen collected
Polylectic, foraging from species in the families Campanulaceae, Fabaceae, Liliaceae and Onagraceae (Westrich 1989).
Nesting biology
Nest burrows are reported to be excavated in the soil (Benno 1945) and in wood (Saunders 1896; Erlandsson 1955). The cell walls are known to be fashioned from rose and birch leaves (Saunders (1896) and Nielsen (1902) respectively).
Flowers visited
Bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), common bird’s-foot-trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) and restharrows (Ononis spp.).
Parasites
There are numerous published references to Coelioxys elongata, C. mandibularis, C. quadridentata and C. rufescens (Megachilinae) being cleptoparasites of this species.
Year profile last updated
Profile written:
Proofed: February 2012