About Gwynne's Mining Bee
A small, common mining bee with a two-toned appearance: dark brown thorax and orange-brown abdominal hair. It produces two generations per year in most of its range.
Did You Know?
Its two annual generations visit completely different sets of flowers, with spring bees favoring trees and summer bees preferring brambles.
How to Identify Gwynne's Mining Bee
Gwynne's Mining Bee (Andrena bicolor) belongs to the order Hymenoptera, family Andrenidae. Adults typically measure 8-10 mm.
Gwynne's Mining Bee Habitat
Gwynne's Mining Bee is found in grasslands habitats, particularly across Europe, Western Asia. This species has adapted to thrive in its preferred environment, where it can find suitable food sources and shelter.
Gwynne's Mining Bee Diet and Feeding
Gwynne's Mining Bee feeds on fruits. Fruit-feeding insects are attracted to ripe and decaying fruit, and some species can be significant agricultural pests.
Where Is Gwynne's Mining Bee Found?
Gwynne's Mining Bee can be found in Europe, Western Asia, where it inhabits grasslands environments. Its distribution is influenced by climate, food availability, and habitat suitability.
Distribution Map
Where Gwynne's Mining Bee can be found
Is Gwynne's Mining Bee Dangerous?
Gwynne's Mining Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes many stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled. Stings can cause pain and swelling, and in rare cases may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Gwynne's Mining Bee Role in Nature
Gwynne's Mining Bee is part of the food web as a primary consumer, feeding on plant material. It serves as an important food source for birds, bats, amphibians, and other insectivores, connecting plant energy to higher trophic levels.
Seasonal Activity
Frequently Asked Questions About Gwynne's Mining Bee
What does Gwynne's Mining Bee look like?
The Gwynne's Mining Bee typically measures 8-10 mm.
Where is Gwynne's Mining Bee found?
The Gwynne's Mining Bee is found in Europe, Western Asia and typically inhabits grasslands environments.
What does Gwynne's Mining Bee eat?
The Gwynne's Mining Bee feeds on fruits.
Is Gwynne's Mining Bee dangerous to humans?
The Gwynne's Mining Bee belongs to the order Hymenoptera, which includes stinging insects. While not typically aggressive, it may sting if threatened or handled.
What is an interesting fact about Gwynne's Mining Bee?
Its two annual generations visit completely different sets of flowers, with spring bees favoring trees and summer bees preferring brambles.
Cite This Page
APA:
InsectDiscover. (2026). Gwynne's Mining Bee (Andrena bicolor). Retrieved from https://insectdiscover.com/insect/gwynnes-mining-bee
MLA:
"Gwynne's Mining Bee." InsectDiscover, https://insectdiscover.com/insect/gwynnes-mining-bee.