Andrena scotica, Mining Bee

Common Name: Mining Bee

Andrena scotica is a solitary mining bee. These are very hairy bees and at 10 to 14 mm Andrena scotica is one of the larger species, the male being slightly smaller than the female. They especially enjoy firm sandy soils with no overgrowing plants to smother the nest, for this reason they are often found near to pathways. Seen mid March to late June - peaking late April and May.

The females share a common entry point during nesting, but underground each female takes care of her own chamber. Using the same entrance without being a real structured community is called communal. Because many chambers share one exit, fresh animals meet each other in this exit while trying to get out for the first time in spring. Males try to mate immediately, so in many cases the females have been fertilised even before seeing daylight.

One of the most common Andrena species, with most British records coming from southern, central and north-eastern England.

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