Table of contents
Introduction
The Small Scissor Bee (Chelostoma florisomne) is a tiny, specialist solitary bee that often goes unnoticed due to its size and quiet behaviour. Active in late spring and early summer, it is most closely associated with bellflowers, which play a crucial role in its life cycle.
In the UK, this species is typically found in gardens, churchyards, parks, and woodland edges where bellflowers are allowed to grow. Rather than nesting in soil, it uses narrow cavities such as hollow plant stems, beetle holes in wood, and small gaps in masonry.
Although not currently threatened, the Small Scissor Bee is vulnerable to habitat tidying, loss of bellflowers, and the removal of dead wood and stems. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify Chelostoma florisomne, recognise similar species, and understand how small changes in garden management can help support it.
Identification & Key Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Small Scissor Bee |
| Latin Name | Chelostoma florisomne |
| Size | ~5–7 mm |
| Location | Widespread across England and Wales |
| Active Months | June to July |
| Habitat | Gardens, parks, woodland edges, churchyards |
| Nesting Behaviour | Nests in hollow stems and narrow cavities |
| Social Behaviour | Solitary |
| Flora | Bellflowers (Campanula species) |
| UK Status | Locally common |
How to Identify the Small Scissor Bee
The Small Scissor Bee is a very small, slender bee with a dark, almost black body and little visible hair. Its narrow shape and quick movements can make it easy to overlook or mistake for a small fly.
In the UK, it is most often seen visiting bellflowers, where it forages deep inside the blooms. Watching for bees entering tubular purple or blue flowers is often the easiest way to spot this species.
Physical Characteristics
- Female – Slim and dark-bodied, with short hairs and a pointed abdomen.
- Male – Slightly smaller, with longer antennae and distinctive jaw shape used during mating.
Similar Species
The Small Scissor Bee may be confused with other very small cavity-nesting bees:
- Small Carpenter Bee (Ceratina cyanea) – Metallic sheen and different nesting behaviour.
- Yellow-faced Bees (Hylaeus species) – Often have yellow facial markings and carry pollen internally.
- Other Chelostoma species – Usually require close inspection to separate reliably.
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 Small Scissor Bee Matters
The Small Scissor Bee is an important pollinator of bellflowers, helping ensure the reproduction of these plants in both wild and garden settings. Its close relationship with specific flowers makes it a good example of plant–pollinator specialisation.
By supporting this species, gardeners also help maintain a wider network of insects that rely on similar nesting habitats, contributing to overall biodiversity.
FAQs
No. This species is very gentle and avoids conflict. Stings are extremely unlikely.
It is mainly active in early summer, usually from June to July.
No. It is locally common where bellflowers are present.
Females can sting, but stings are exceptionally rare and usually only occur if the bee is handled.
How You Can Help
Supporting the Small Scissor Bee is easy and well suited to gardens:
🌿 Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
- Bellflowers (Campanula species)
🚫 Avoid Harmful Pesticides
- Avoid insecticides that contaminate nectar and reduce insect populations
🏡 Provide Nesting Spaces
- Leave hollow stems, dead wood, and bee hotels with small-diameter tubes
By planting bellflowers and leaving natural nesting sites intact, you help support the Small Scissor Bee and other specialist pollinators.
