A “very rare” bee has been identified in Powys giving hope for the species recovery.

It has been confirmed that in 2021, two sightings of the long-horned bee (Eucera longicornis) were recorded from roadside verges in Radnorshire.

The bee is designated a “UK priority species” and has been previously spotted in 2018 at Radnorshire Wildlife Trust’s Gilfach Nature Reserve, by the Exploring Gilfach Project Officer.

The Long-horned bee has been recorded in the coastal areas of south Wales, but not in mid Wales until these recent sightings.

County Times:

With inland colonies considered to be very rare, the sightings have been described as "very exciting" news. The presence of this species was again confirmed with another sighting at Gilfach in 2022.

Janice Vincett, Radnorshire and Breconshire vice county bee and wasp recorder, said: “These lovely little iconic animals are a symbol of hope for nature’s recovery and have shown what can turn up when you are not expecting it. I think that’s very special.”

The long-horned bee is one of the UK’s largest solitary bees, with a flight season from May until August. The male has exceptionally long antennae, hence the name.

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According to Buglife, the long-horned bee requires large areas of flowery habitat.

The species has been badly impacted by the 97 per cent loss of flower-rich grassland during the 20th century and is particularly vulnerable to overgrazing and poor management of grassland.

Radnorshire Wildlife Trust believe that it is vital to maintain and restore the habitat of this declining bee.

The grassland at Gilfach Nature Reserve has the flower rich areas that the Long-horned bee needs, and Radnorshire Wildlife Trust are “making sure that the habitat continues to be managed in a way that it remains suitable for the bee to thrive”.

This is part of the Trust’s 2022-2030 Strategy is that by 2030, 30 per cents  of land and water in Radnorshire is managed in a way that creates extensive natural habitats for a wide variety of species.

County Times:

Joe Carter, Gilfach Warden for Radnorshire Wildlife Trust added: “By changing cutting regimes, roadside verges can support an abundance of wildflowers and provide much needed habitat and food source for pollinators.

"This is a simple solution that can be key in helping to achieve habitat connectivity and nature’s recovery. We’ve started to see positive steps being made by Powys County Council to work towards this.”

The public are being asked if they spot a Long-horned bee, to photograph and record it by contacting the Radnorshire and Breconshire Vice County Bee and Wasp Recorder, Janice via: jayvee156@gmail.com