Ashy Mining Bee vs Lesser Citronella Ant

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Ashy Mining Bee Lesser Citronella Ant
Scientific Name Andrena cineraria Lasius claviger
Order Hymenoptera Hymenoptera
Family Andrenidae Formicidae
Size 10-14 mm 3-4 mm
Habitat Underground Orchards
Diet Nectar Feeders Root Feeders
Regions Western Europe, Central Europe, Northern Europe Eastern North America
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

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.

Lesser Citronella Ant

A small yellow subterranean ant closely related to the larger citronella ant. It produces a citrus scent and lives in deep soil nests tending root aphids.

💡

Did You Know?

Citronella ants are obligate herders whose survival depends entirely on their symbiotic relationship with underground aphids.