HYMENOPTERA > APOCRITA | Aculeata > APOIDEA > Colletidae

By far the more common of two medium-sized Hylaeus yellow-faced bees with a similar facial pattern. Separation of females would require microscopic examination, but males have white-marked mandibles and, as such, are relatively easy to distinguish as long as you have a good face-on view, which I don't, but I believe there is enough detail of the white markings around the base of the antennae to determine the species. The other, Hylaeus incongruus, is rare, with only a handful of confirmed sightings and, although it has previously been recorded in my wider general area, can effectively be disregarded as the last record was thirty plus years ago. It is typically associated with the woodland edge of heathland, whereas Hylaeous confusus is regarded as one of the more frequent Hyleus species found in woodland. It's primarily a southern species with only scattered, albeit widespread, distribution elsewhere. It has a flight season from May to September, occurring in a variety of habitats, both inland and coastal, but is more likely to be seen in woodland settings as previously noted.