Taxonomy

Andrena (Melandrena) cineraria | Grey Mining Bee

Distribution

Status

Conservation status

Least Concern

Species Biology

Identification


  • Large sized solitary species (13-16mm)
  • Spring flight period: April - June
  • Thorax with two distinct grey hair bands broken by a black band
  • Abdomen dark
  • Males smaller than females, with pale hairs on face

Habitat

Found in a range of habitats where early forage sources (e.g. Willow) exist but most commonly recorded from woodland and dry heath.

Flight period

Early species. April-June

Nesting biology

Ground nesting

Flowers visited

Polylectic - Chaerophyllum, Taraxacum, Brassica, Sinapis, Ranunculus, Ranunculus, Prunus, Rosa, Salix

Distribution

World distribution(GBIF)

Almost all of Europe

Temporal change

Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024

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References

Publications

Conservation status: FitzPatrick Ú., Murray T.E., Byrne A., Paxton R.J., Brown M.J.F. (2006) Regional Red List of Irish Bees, Publ. Rep. to National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and Environment and Heritage Service (N. Ireland). http://www.npws.ie/publications/red-lists

Flowers visited & World distribution: Westrich, P. (1989) Die Wildbienen Baden-Württembergs. Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, Germany.

Images