Table of contents
Introduction
The Shaggy Furrow Bee (Lasioglossum villosulum) is a small but distinctive solitary bee, named for its noticeably hairy appearance compared to other furrow bees. Active mainly from late spring into summer, it is often overlooked due to its size, despite being fairly widespread in suitable habitats.
In the UK, this species is most often encountered in gardens, parks, hedgerows, grassland, and open countryside, particularly where there is a mix of flowering plants and areas of bare or lightly vegetated soil. Its slightly shaggy coat helps it stand out from similar small bees when viewed closely.
Although not currently considered threatened, the Shaggy Furrow Bee is sensitive to pesticide use, soil disturbance, and the loss of wildflowers. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify Lasioglossum villosulum, tell it apart from similar furrow bees, and understand how everyday green spaces can support it.
Identification & Key Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Shaggy Furrow Bee |
| Latin Name | Lasioglossum villosulum |
| Size | ~7–9 mm |
| Location | Widespread across the UK |
| Active Months | May to August |
| Habitat | Gardens, parks, grassland, hedgerows |
| Nesting Behaviour | Ground-nesting in bare or lightly vegetated soil |
| Social Behaviour | Solitary or weakly social |
| Flora | Dandelion, daisy, buttercup, small wildflowers |
| UK Status | Common |
How to Identify the Shaggy Furrow Bee
The Shaggy Furrow Bee is a small, dark bee with noticeably longer and denser body hair than many other Lasioglossum species. Pale hair bands may be visible across the abdomen, and the overall appearance is slightly more robust and fuzzy than similar furrow bees.
In the UK, it is most often seen flying low over grass or visiting small, open flowers. Its preference for sunny, open ground near nesting sites is a helpful identification clue.
Physical Characteristics
- Female – Slightly larger, with a darker body and a visibly shaggy coat, particularly on the thorax.
- Male (Drone) – Smaller and slimmer, often with longer antennae and lighter facial hair.
Similar Species
The Shaggy Furrow Bee is commonly confused with other small furrow bees:
- Common Furrow Bee (Lasioglossum calceatum) – Generally less hairy and more slender overall.
- Smeathman’s Furrow Bee (Lasioglossum smeathmanellum) – Smaller and more delicate in appearance.
- Orange-legged Furrow Bee (Halictus rubicundus) – Shows more obvious orange leg colouring and a different body shape.
If you’re unsure which bee you’ve spotted, our Bee Identification guide can help you narrow down UK species by size, colour, and behaviour.
Why the Shaggy Furrow Bee Matters
The Shaggy Furrow Bee is an effective pollinator of small wildflowers and garden plants, contributing to pollination throughout late spring and summer. By visiting flowers that larger bees may overlook, it helps support plant diversity in everyday green spaces.
Its presence also highlights the importance of leaving areas of open soil and flowering plants undisturbed, benefiting many other ground-nesting insects.
FAQs
No. This species is gentle and rarely stings unless handled.
It is mainly active from late spring into summer, typically May to August.
No. It is considered common and widespread in suitable habitats.
Females can sting, but stings are uncommon and usually only occur if the bee is trapped.
How You Can Help
Supporting the Shaggy Furrow Bee is simple and achievable:
🌿 Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
- Dandelion, daisy, buttercup, lawn wildflowers
🚫 Avoid Harmful Pesticides
- Avoid insecticides that contaminate nectar and pollen
🏡 Provide Nesting Spaces
- Leave patches of bare or lightly vegetated soil undisturbed
By allowing lawns to flower and leaving small areas of open ground, you help support the Shaggy Furrow Bee and many other small solitary pollinators.
