This is one of the commoner species of blood bee in Ireland and it is also one of the easier species to identify. Females measure around 8-11mm and have the typical black and red abdomen and smooth appearance of other Sphecodes, but under magnification the ‘saddle’ of the abdomen (close to where it meets the thorax) is virtually hairless, hence the common name. It is commonly seen around nesting aggregations of various Halcitus and Lasioglossum.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread in the southern half of the island and along the east coast, north to the Belfast area. Records are absent in much of the north and west, but this is likely due to a lack of dedicated recording and it possibly occurs here too.

Flight Period: Females fly from Early April-September. Males are active between June-August.

Habitat: A wide range of habitats, but particularly brownfield sites where its hosts occurs. I may also inhabit heathland margins, woodland edges and scubby areas of dune systems.

Flowers visited: Colt’s-foot, dandelions, Yarrow, Ox-eye Daisy, mayweeds and others.

Personal Records: I have observed this species at brownfield sites in the greater Lisburn area in Co. Down and Armagh City, Co. Armagh investigating burrows of Halictus rubicundus various Lasioglossum species. I have also encountered it at Bloody Bridge and Clonachullion Wood (Co. Down), Powerscourt (Co. Wicklow), Skerries Ballast Pit (Co. Dublin) and Rosnaree (Co. Meath). The listed hosts of this species in Britain include species which do not occur in Ireland and I suspect that it uses H. rubicundus here and possibly larger Lasioglossum such as Lassioglossum calceatum or L.albipes.