Anthophora plumipes

• Scientific name: Anthophora plumipes
• Common name: hairy-footed flower bee
• Dimension: 14-15 mm
• Habitat: cliffs, dry stone walls, even in urban areas
• Behavior: solitary
• Collective behavior: polylectic
• Nest: in the ground
• Parasitized by: Melecta albifrons
• Red list of bees in Switzerland: not endangered

Interesting Facts:

Males of the Anthophora genus  trace and follow specific flight paths, marked with scent signals, which they follow for days or even weeks. They usually trace these paths around particularly attractive sources of pollen, where they await the arrival of the females.