description Andrena cineraria Overview
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 and researchers investigating bee diversity and behavior within European ecosystems.
insights Ranking position
Andrena cineraria ranks #51 of 423 in the Bee ranking, behind Blueberry Bee (Habropoda laboriosa), ahead of Bombus griseocollis.
help Andrena cineraria FAQ
How can I identify a female Andrena cineraria?
The female is predominantly black with two conspicuous ash-grey hair bands across the thorax. This sharply banded appearance gives the species its common English name, the ashy mining bee.
Does Andrena cineraria live in a hive?
No, each female excavates and provisions her own nest in the ground. Many females may nest close together in a sunny patch of soil, but these aggregations are not cooperative colonies like honey-bee hives.
When is the ashy mining bee most likely to be seen?
Adults are principally active during spring, when females collect pollen for their underground brood cells. In Britain and much of Europe, sightings commonly begin around March or April and decline by early summer.
Which flowers does Andrena cineraria visit?
Andrena cineraria is not restricted to a single plant family and visits flowers including willows, fruit blossoms and dandelions. That broad diet allows it to pollinate both wild plants and spring-flowering garden crops.
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