What type of wasp or bee is this?

Question

I've seen bird & animal watching and behaviour is listed among the accepted topics.
The question is maybe borderline, but I haven't found another stackexchange site for it. Please, feel free to move it if you know of one.

What type of insect is this?
Is it dangerous to bees? I've seen them feeding on flowers, but I've also noticed that, on the same plant, when they're there the bees are not, and viceversa.

The photo is taken in southern Italy.
It looks a lot like wasp to me, and in any case the colouring seems very peculiar, so I guess someone will know the ansewer.

Chris H · Answer

Anthidium florentinum is a solitary bee with the right markings on the abdomen.  It seems to be holding the abdomen tucked under itself, but the shape of the first two yellow  markings is distinctive among bees,  wasps, and hoverflies in my book.  The male has hairs on the abdomen.
A browse through the photos of this species on Wikimedia Commons shows some variability, and the difference between males and females.
It's certainly found in Italy as it's native to the Mediterranean basin.  This link also has some features to look for so you can check, including distinguishing it from Anthidium manicatum

What type of wasp or bee is this?

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