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Bryony Mining Bee

Andrena florea

The Bryony Mining Bee is a small, fuzzy bee that loves to collect pollen from flowers. They are important for helping plants grow by spreading pollen around.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Bryony Mining Bee is a medium-sized bee, typically 10-12mm long. Females have a black body with dense, reddish-brown fur on their thorax and paler hairs on their abdomen. Their hind legs feature distinctive bright orange-red pollen-collecting hairs, making them easy to spot.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyAndrenidaeGenusAndrena
Bryony Mining Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgegrassland trait badgeherbivorous trait badge
Bryony Mining Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Bryony plants rely almost entirely on these bees to make seeds!

Each female bee digs her own private nest tunnel.

They spend most of their life underground as a larva.

This bee only eats pollen from one plant family!

Special abilities

Ability

Underground Architect

Bryony Mining Bee has powerful digging legs that help them excavate intricate tunnels for their nests deep in the ground.

Ability

Pollinator Partner

Bryony Mining Bee can efficiently gather pollen from toxic Bryony plants that helps them pollinate these unique flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-24 mm
Size
10-12 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

This bee is a specialist, only eating pollen and nectar from bryony plants.

Primary Foods

  • Bryonia dioica pollen
  • Bryonia dioica nectar
  • Dioscorea communis pollen
  • Dioscorea communis nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

White Bryony

Bryonia dioica

main pollinator for this specific host plant.

pollinates

Black Bryony

Dioscorea communis

important pollinator for this specific host plant.

parasitizes

Variable Nomad Bee

Nomada fucata

lays eggs in their nests, stealing food for its young.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Stay calm and still if you see a bee; they usually won't bother you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Bryony Mining Bee's wingspan?

18-24 mm

How big is Bryony Mining Bee?

10-12 mm

How long does Bryony Mining Bee live?

20-40 days

What does Bryony Mining Bee eat?

This bee is a specialist, only eating pollen and nectar from bryony plants.

Where is Bryony Mining Bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does Bryony Mining Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Bryony Mining Bee have?

6

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