The ashy mining bee species live in Europe. They are solitary bees that nest in simple burrows. Ashy mining bees grow to around 0.59 inches long. They are friendly bees that will not sting unless provoked.
The ashy mining bee is equally interesting. The ashy mining bee is a sand bee belonging to the Andrena genus of bees. They’re known for digging tunnels in the sand to serve as their nests. The ashy mining bee has a distinctive black and gray coloration, setting them apart from other bees with yellow and black coloration.
The male ashy mining bee is generally smaller than the female. Ashy mining bees have a size similar to honey bees and their abdomens are a deep, shiny black in color. Both males and females have gray or white hair on their faces.
The female ashy mining bee is generally larger than its male counterpart and its antennae have one fewer segment. As with most bees, ashy mining bees possess large compound eyes on the sides of their heads as well as small ocelli on the tops of their foreheads.
The ashy mining bee is common and widespread throughout Europe, ranging from Ireland across central Europe and into Scandinavia. Generally docile, they are considered safe around children and pets.
The ashy mining bee is roughly the size of a honeybee, with females measuring around 10 to 12 millimeters long and males slightly smaller. They have a dense covering of grayish hairs on their bodies, giving them their distinctive ashy appearance. This hairiness provides insulation and helps them collect and distribute pollen.
The ashy mining bee is primarily found in Europe, particularly in regions with sandy or loamy soils. It is versatile in its habitat selection, making it adaptable to a range of ecological niches. While it is not exclusively tied to a single biome, its distribution is closely linked to specific habitat preferences. One of the primary biomes where the Ashy Mining Bee can be found is the temperate grassland biome.
Mining bees are not aggressive and can be good for the garden. In the garden Mining bees are extremely beneficial insects. They pollinate many different types of plants and their burrowing does not harm vegetation.
The ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria) primarily inhabits and is associated with various terrestrial biomes across its distribution in Europe. This bee species is versatile in its habitat selection, making it adaptable to a range of ecological niches. While it is not exclusively tied to a single biome, its distribution is closely linked to specific habitat preferences. One of the primary biomes where the Ashy Mining Bee can be found is the temperate grassland biome. These bees thrive in open grasslands, meadows, and heathlands where there is ample access to the loose, sandy soils they require for nesting.
What do ashy mining bees eat?
Like other bees, they eat nectar and pollen from flowers, but the foraging preferences differ depending on the species.
The ashy mining bee larvae are fed a mixture of pollen, nectar, and enzymes mixed together by the adult females. The Ashy mining bee is a generalist, meaning it feeds on a wide range of plants.
In their adult form, ashy mining bees fall victim to a variety of bird species. Snakes, like the Eastern garter snake, and lizards, like the Western fence lizard, will hang around nesting sites hoping for a quick snack.
The Ashy Mining Bee is found throughout Europe, ranging from Ireland across central Europe and into Scandinavia. They are common throughout the United Kingdom although less frequent in northern Scotland.
Varying in color and size, the California carpenter bee is mostly metallic green/blue with grayish wings. The valley carpenter bee females are shiny black with bright metallic purple/bronze wings.
Unlike social bees, ashy mining bees do not have a queen bee to organize their activities. Instead, each bee is responsible for finding and collecting food for her offspring and protecting her nest from predators.
Belonging to the Andrena family of mining bees, female Ashy-mining bees excavate small tunnels in the earth to make their nests. They can occasionally be found nesting in large groups, but are also found in small groups or as single females.
The ashy mining bee is a sand bee belonging to the Andrena genus of bees. They’re known for digging tunnels in the sand to serve as their nests. The ashy mining bee has a distinctive black and gray coloration, setting them apart from other bees with yellow and black coloration.
Solitary bees are very picky about what they will eat as they can’t fly as far as honey bees to find food because of their size. They mostly eat the nectar of wildflowers or and fruit trees.
The ashy mining bee is the same size as a honey bee, with black and grey or white hairs. They sometimes look like an ant with wings because of the shape of their body.
Where can I find ashy mining bees?
The ashy mining bee (Andrena cineraria) is a species of solitary bee found across Europe. It prefers well-drained, sandy soils to nest in, excavating individual burrows. The females are black with two broad grey hair bands on the thorax while the males are black with grey hairs covering the thorax. This bee is common and widespread throughout Europe, ranging from Ireland to Scandinavia.
It is also known as the grey mining bee or panda bee. The volcano-like mounds of excavated soil around the nest entrance can help identify the nests. Though solitary, these bees may nest in aggregations where conditions allow.
They are active from March to June, feeding on early spring flowers like dandelions. The females dig a burrow in bare soil to nest in. Gardens, grasslands, woodland edges provide good nesting spots.
While mining bees can sting to defend their nest, their stings are mild. Instead, these bees provide great benefit as pollinators in the garden. Their unique color patterns and furry appearance make them fun for kids to spot.
What does Ashy mining bee do?
The ashy mining bee is a species of sand bee found in Europe. It has distinctive colouring of black with two broad grey hair bands across the thorax. The bee is common and widespread throughout Europe.
Unlike social bees, ashy mining bees do not have a queen. Instead, each bee finds food and protects her nest. They are known for hovering in front of flowers, rapidly vibrating wings to release pollen.
They eat both nectar and pollen. The larvae are fed pollen, nectar and enzymes by females. The bee feeds on a wide range of plants.
It nests in individual burrows in the ground. Though it does not produce honey, it is an important pollinator.
The bee belongs to the Andrena genus of mining bees. Females excavate small tunnels in sand to serve as nests. It is typically non-aggressive and does not sting. Despite small size, it is important for flower pollination.
Appearance is black and grey. Legs are striking orange. Adults are about 10mm long. They make nests in the ground. Spot them in gardens and parks in spring when they emerge from dormancy. Females dig holes to lay eggs on a ball of pollen.
They are solitary bees active in spring. They dig tunnels to lay eggs and raise young. They play a vital role pollinating food crops and wildflowers.