Ashy Mining Bee vs Hairy-legged Mining Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Ashy Mining Bee | Hairy-legged Mining Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Andrena cineraria | Melitta tricincta |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Andrenidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 10-14 mm | 9-11 mm |
| Habitat | Underground | Farmland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Pollen Feeders |
| Regions | Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe | Europe |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Near Threatened |
Ashy Mining Bee
A striking black and grey solitary bee with silvery-white hair bands on its thorax. It nests in compacted soil and is one of the first bees to appear in spring.
Did You Know?
Large aggregations of hundreds of nest holes can appear suddenly on garden lawns in April.
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.