Best Andrena

Andrena cineraria is a species of mining bee found across Europe. It’s notable for its distinctive ashy-grey coloration, particularly on the thorax and head of female bees. These bees are ground nesters and play a role in pollinating various wildflowers. They are primarily studied by entomologists a...

Andrena fulva is a tawny mining bee native to Europe. It’s recognized by its distinctive vibrant orange coloration on female bees. These solitary bees construct nests within sandy or loamy soil, primarily in lawns and meadows, playing a vital role in pollination. They are of interest to naturalists,...

Andrena agilissima is a species of mining bee found throughout the Mediterranean region. This particular bee is notable for its distinctive black and white striped abdomen and specialized nesting behavior within sandy soils near coastal cliffs and riverbanks. It plays a role in pollinating mustard p...

Andrena cineraria is a Palearctic mining bee commonly known for its striking black and grey appearance, often nesting in large aggregations in sandy soils.

Andrena astragali is a North American mining bee described in 1914, notable for gathering pollen from toxic death camas plants in the genus Toxicoscordion.

Andrena vaga, commonly known as the grey-backed mining bee, is a solitary bee species found across Europe. It is oligolectic, meaning females collect pollen almost exclusively from willow (Salix) species to provision their nests. The species forms dense nesting aggregations in sandy or gravelly soil...

Andrena flavipes, commonly called the yellow-legged mining bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee with a broad distribution across the Palearctic region. Females excavate individual nests in soil, although many nests may occur close together in loose aggregations where conditions are suitable. The sp...

Andrena clarkella is an early-spring mining bee found across Europe and North America. It is a specialist pollinator, foraging primarily on willow blossoms for nectar and pollen. The bee nests in the ground, often in sandy soils, and is active from March to May.

Andrena erigeniae is a North American mining bee described by Robertson in 1891, notable for specializing on spring beauty flowers in the genus Claytonia.

Andrena haemorrhoa, commonly known as the early mining bee, is a solitary bee species widely distributed across Europe. As a spring-flying insect, it typically emerges early in the season to forage on the nectar and pollen of flowering trees and plants. The bee is physically identified by distinctiv...

Andrena bicolor is a mining bee native to Europe and North America, notable for its ground-nesting habits and described by Fabricius in 1775.

Andrena praecox is a Palearctic mining bee described by Scopoli in 1763, notable as an early-spring specialist that gathers pollen from willows.

Andrena fuscipes is a Palearctic mining bee described by Kirby in 1802, notable for its close association with heathers in the genus Calluna.

Andrena nitida, commonly known as the grey-patched mining bee, is a solitary bee species prevalent across Europe. It typically emerges during the spring season and is recognized by its distinct physical characteristics, which include bright fox-red hairs covering its thorax and a prominent white ban...

Andrena asteris is a North American mining bee described by Robertson in 1891, notable for specializing on pollen from asters and related composites.

Andrena nigroaenea, commonly known as the buffish mining bee, is a solitary bee species widely distributed across Europe. Emerging in the spring, females excavate nesting burrows in the ground, often in sandy soils or lawns. They are important pollinators for various fruit trees and are particularly...

Andrena marginata is a European mining bee recognized by the distinctive yellow margins on its abdomen, described by Fabricius in 1776.

Andrena thoracica is a large, robust species of mining bee native to the Palearctic region, particularly across Europe. The species is easily identified by the female's distinctive bright orange-red hind legs and thorax, which contrast with its dark abdomen. As a solitary bee, it constructs ground n...

Andrena vicina is a solitary mining bee prevalent in North America, known for its early spring emergence and described by Smith in 1853.

Andrena carantonica is a historical scientific name associated with the mining bee now generally treated as Andrena scotica. This relatively large solitary bee occurs in Europe and is active in spring, when females excavate nests in the ground and collect pollen from flowering plants, including orch...

Andrena dorsata, commonly called the short-fringed mining bee, is a solitary bee in the family Andrenidae. It occurs across parts of the Palearctic region and is bivoltine, with two adult generations appearing during the year. Females excavate nests in the ground, while adults visit flowers for poll...

Andrena barbilabris is a solitary mining bee that inhabits sandy soils across Europe, where females dig deep nesting burrows and heavily prefer to forage on willow tree pollen.

Andrena fucata is a solitary mining bee found across much of Europe; females excavate underground nests and gather pollen from several flowering plant families.

*Andrena scotica* is a species of mining bee found across Europe, recognized for its relatively large size and fast flight. As a ground-nesting solitary bee, it constructs its burrows in light soils and is frequently observed nesting in domestic garden lawns. Adults emerge in early spring and serve...

Andrena bimaculata, commonly known as the two-spotted mining bee, is a solitary bee species widely distributed across Eurasia. This insect is biologically notable for its bivoltine life cycle, meaning it produces two distinct generations of offspring within a single year. The species is identifiable...

Andrena wilkella is a mining bee introduced to North America in the 1900s, where it successfully established itself as a widespread pollinator of clovers and leguminous plants.

Andrena labialis is a European mining bee notably characterized by its unusually expanded mouthparts, and it typically forages on nectar and pollen from leguminous plants.

Andrena trimmerana, Trimmer's mining bee, is a scarce European species recognized by its bivoltine life cycle, with a second generation emerging in late summer to pollinate ivy.

Andrena schencki is a brightly colored mining bee described in 1853, commonly found in sandy heathlands across Europe where it forages for pollen from willows and brambles.