Mining Bee
Andrena spp.
Mining Bee
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Andrena is a genus of solitary bees, which means the females build nests and care for broods alone.
Some species are sub-social. In other words, females provide prolonged care to their larvae, as opposed to sealing up the nest with the food source.
Mining bees are named after their nesting behaviour. They dig tunnel-like burrows in sandy, clay or loam soils, in which they lay their young.
It's not unusual to see hundreds of mining bee nests clumped together in the same spot because females don't seem to mind a neighbour or two.
It's thought that this is because having multiple nests in one place will decrease the total number of nests parasitised or predated.
Andrena tend to be concentrated in temperate climates. There are only 14 recognised species in Africa, concentrated to northeastern parts of the continent.
Traits

Mining bees are excellent pollinators!

Sometimes they will nest in cultivated lawns.
Appearance
Adults: They typically measure between 1-2cm, depending on species and sex. They possess lots of hair on the thorax and legs, which make them excellent pollinators. Some species will have shiny black-brown abdomens, whereas others are covered with plumages of fuzz. Generally speaking, they possess slender bodies. Hair tends to be brown, red, or silver-grey. Adults are often seen flying close to the ground as they find sites for egg-laying, or when tending to broods.
Larvae and Eggs: These reside in burrows so are seldom seen.
Symptoms
Tiny mole-hills in lawns or on slopes.
Slender bees hovering above ground or slopes.
Activity
Diurnal
Personality
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Andrenidae
Metamorphosis
Complete
Distribution
Everywhere but Oceania and South America
Biological treatment
Mining bees are important pollinators, so it's advised to welcome them into your garden ecosystem!
You can encourage mining bees into your garden by leaving areas of bare ground or turf receiving plenty of sunlight, clear of mulch. The less interference with the soil is better for these bees.
Likewise, by planting an array of indigenous plants which bloom during different seasons, you'll keep mining bees well-fed all year round.
Attracts
Here are just a few selected plants favoured by solitary bees.
Marigold
Tagetes erecta
French Marigold
Tagetes patula
Buddleia
Buddleja spp.
Sunflower
Helianthus spp.
Marigold
Tagetes spp.
Wallflower
Erysimum 'Sugar Rush'
Honeysuckle
Lonicera periclymenum
Alison
Alyssum spp.
Vervain
Verbena spp.
Hawksbeard
Crepis spp.
Field Bindweed
Convolvulus arvensis
Greater knapweed
Centaurea scabiosa