This introduced species is a common presence in flower gardens and feral patches of purple and blue flowers.
Identification: Slightly larger than a honey bee and quite aggressive, this boldly patterned bee is hard to overlook, but harder to photograph.
Similar Species: Most similar to the Florentine Wool-carder Bee (Anthidium florentinum), which was recently introduced in Montreal and will likely be found in VT in the near future. Information on separating the two species is currently sparse, though Florentine females should have a solid yellow clypeus (unlike European, which has some black intrusions on the top margin).
Global Status: Secure (G5)
Vermont Status: Not Ranked
For more information, visit the following links:
Discover Life
Living Atlas Species Page
Distribution: To see the global distribution, check out the iNaturalist account, and toggle the GBIF layer on the map.
