Most species of bee in the UK are solitary and do not live in colonies like bumblebees or honeybees.  They are very important pollinators, but tend not to be as well-known about as their social relatives.

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Many species nest below the ground, while others nest in cavities in old plant stems. Females create individual 'cells' inside the stems using mud or leaves, into which they lay an egg. Each cell is then packed full of pollen, providing food for the larvae as it grows over  the warm summer months.  The offspring chew their way out of the nest and emerge as adults around April/May.

"Air Bee & Bee" is a Buzz Club project aimed at creating and testing different types of solitary bee hotels across the country, looking at what makes the best experience for the bees, other invertebrates and their human hoteliers.

This project is currently on hold, but let us know if you have questions about bee hotels.