
Community identification
Mining Bee
Andrena
- Order & Family
- Order Hymenoptera, Family Andrenidae
- Size
- 8 to 17 mm (0.3 to 0.7 inches)
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.