One of the most unusual bees I’ve ever seen was brought in by our fruit crop entomologist earlier today.  Its behavior had been described as somewhat “fly-like”, although the abdomen had a color pattern that screamed “yellowjacket”.  It was hairy like most bees, but possessed some unusual hook-like appendages from the tip of the abdomen.  After some digging, I was able to identify the species as Anthidium manicatum, commonly known as the “European wool-carder bee”.  It happens to be a European species that was introduced to the US back in the 60’s and is now widespread. The species gets its name because females collect hair-like fibers from plants to line their nests.