Andrena barbilabris

Distinguished from similar Andrena species by the combination of rufous dorsal thoracic hairs in females, silvery male coloration, and narrow head shape. The specific epithet 'barbilabris' (bearded lip) refers to distinctive facial hair characteristics. Nesting aggregations in sandy soils provide additional field recognition cues.

Medium-sized mining bee approximately 11 mm in length. Females larger and more robust than males, with rufous hairs on the dorsal thorax contrasting with yellower hairs on the sides and head. Males appear silvery due to long pale thoracic hairs. Integument predominantly black. Narrow head creates a hunch-backed appearance.

Strongly associated with light, sandy soils. Nests in loose sandy ground, including riverbanks, heathlands, and even garden paths between paving stones. Forms small nesting aggregations in sparsely vegetated or bare ground patches.

Holarctic distribution spanning North America (southern Canada, northern United States), Europe from western regions to Anatolia, and northern Asia including western and eastern Siberia (Yakutia, Primorsky Krai), Russian Far East, and Japan. In Britain and Ireland, patchy and localized distribution extending north to Inverness, scarcer in Ireland. Present on Guernsey and Jersey in the Channel Islands.

Adults emerge in early spring, with flight period from March to July. Males typically emerge before females.

Generalist forager on wide variety of flowers; willows are preferred foraging plants. Foraging range typically within 300 meters of nests.

Females excavate underground burrows in sandy soil, creating small cells provisioned with pollen mixed with nectar. A single egg is laid on each pollen ball and sealed into its cell. Larvae develop within sealed cells. Nest location relies on olfactory cues rather than visual markers; nests hidden under thin layer of sand.

Solitary but forms small nesting aggregations. Females rely on sense of smell to locate concealed nest entrances. Rapid excavation into nests observed when returning. Males patrol nesting areas seeking emerging females.

Pollinator of spring wildflowers including willows. Serves as host for cleptoparasitic bee Sphecodes pellucidus, whose presence often indicates nearby A. barbilabris nests. Provides prey base for conopid flies including Myopa tessellatipennis.

Occurs in gardens and urban environments where sandy nesting substrate is available. Subject to conservation concern where habitat degradation reduces bare sandy ground availability. Management techniques including creation of 'bee beaches' have been implemented to support populations.

• Andrena nigroaeneaSimilar size and spring emergence, but lacks rufous dorsal thoracic hairs and has different facial markings; prefers clay soils over sandy substrates.
• Andrena cinerariaDistinct black and white coloration contrasts with rufous/yellow pattern of A. barbilabris; active slightly later in season.

• solitary bee
• mining bee
• ground-nesting
• spring-flying
• Holarctic
• sand specialist
• pollinator

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life
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