Bug Identifier
Mining Bee
Community identification

Mining Bee

Andrena

Order & Family
Order Hymenoptera, Family Andrenidae
Size
8 to 17 mm (0.3 to 0.7 inches)
See this bug in the Encyclopedia

Natural Habitat

Gardens, woodlands, and grasslands, typically nesting in well-drained, sandy soil.

Diet & Feeding

Nectar and pollen from a wide variety of flowering plants.

Behavior Patterns

Solitary nesters that excavate burrows in the ground. They are early-season pollinators, often emerging in spring. Females provision cells with pollen balls for their larvae.

Risks & Benefits

Crucial pollinators for many wild plants and agricultural crops. They are generally non-aggressive and rarely sting humans unless handled roughly.