Can anyone identify this bee?

[flindorama]

I posted in gardening but no replies. Hoping with the traffic here someone knows which bee this is.

They are nesting in our roof. Sure they aren't honeybees.

Just want to know so I know whether to worry or not!! I've already been stung once. But not even sure if same type of bee as it was early last week.

[TheoriginalLEM]

I wonder if that is a bee fly

[bridgetreilly]

Masonry bee, probably.

[stella1know]

Or hover fly? I don’t think they sting.

[recycledteenager24]

have you googled it ? there are so many types.

[Proudboomer]

Tree bee?

[TheoriginalLEM]

www.cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/flies/narcissus-bulb-fly or one of these

[MitziK]

The eyes tell the truth. It's a Bee Fly.

No sting.

[exerciseinmypyjamas]

Mason bee.

I've got them in the roof of my shed at the moment.

[Anythingwill]

Yes. His name is Dave

[flindorama]

Yes been googling a lot. I thought a tree bumble bee but am unsure. Definitely not a hoverfly. I thought (maybe wrongly) that masonry bees were solitary and there are definitely plenty of them flying in and out the hole in the sofit. We are on West coast of Scotland if that makes a difference.

[WashYourFins]

Second the narcissus bulb fly www.wildlifetrusts.org/wildlife-explorer/invertebrates/flies/narcissus-bulb-fly

If it only has one set of wings I don't think it can be a bee. The eyes definitely look more like a fly.

[YouTheCat]

As it's a full bee, it can't be Eric.

[NomDeFume]

Is it a Common Carder Bee. Also, I like this Spike Milligan poem. Hopefully it doesn't turn out to be true.

A Bee!
A Bee!!
Is after me!!!
And that is why
I flee!!!!
I flee!!!!!
This bee
This bee
Appears to be
Very very
ANG
-ER
-REE!!!!!

[HopeYouStepOnALego]

I'd suggest you contact a local bee keeper who will advise you and may help remove them if you're lucky.

[flindorama]

Wow learn something new everyday. I agree it's identical to the Narcisscus Bulb fly and obviously thats what I've rescued from the sunroom today!!! I see the fly eyes now that it's been pointed out.

I wonder what is nesting in roof then. It can't be them. Strange I'll need to keep an eye on them.

I rescued Dave/Eric and put him on a flower!

[Mytimetogo]

It's a bee fly. They mimic bees but are hover flies and they do a fab job at pollinating and feeding us!

[Mytimetogo]

Have a look here-

en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bombyliidae