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Buffish Mining Bee

Andrena nigroaenea

The Buffish Mining Bee is a small, fuzzy bee that loves to dig in the ground. They are important pollinators, helping flowers grow by spreading pollen as they visit them.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Buffish Mining Bee has a distinctive, dense coat of foxy-red or orange-brown fur on its thorax. Its abdomen is often darker and less hairy, sometimes appearing almost bare and black. Yellow-orange hairs can be seen on its legs, especially when collecting pollen.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyAndrenidaeGenusAndrena
Buffish Mining Bee
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Buffish Mining Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Buffish Mining Bees often build their nests in bare soil, like paths or lawns!

Each female bee is a super-mom, raising her babies all by herself.

Their fuzzy bodies help them stay warm when spring weather is still cool.

They are called 'mining' bees because they dig tunnels in the ground!

Special abilities

Ability

Underground Architect

Buffish Mining Bees can dig intricate burrows underground to create safe nurseries for their young.

Ability

Pollen Powerhouse

Buffish Mining Bees have special fuzzy hairs on their hind legs called scopa to carry lots of pollen.

Ability

Spring Awakener

Buffish Mining Bees are one of the very first bees to emerge in spring, even on chilly days.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
18-25 mm
Size
10-14 mm
Lifespan
20-40 days
Flight Speed
15 km/h
Leg Count
6
Colony Size
1

Diet & Feeding

They drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies in underground nests.

Primary Foods

  • nectar
  • pollen
  • Salix caprea (Goat Willow) pollen
  • Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion) nectar
  • Prunus spinosa (Blackthorn) nectar

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Goat Willow

Salix caprea

An important early spring food source.

pollinates

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

A crucial early flower for nectar and pollen.

parasitizes

Yellow-shouldered Nomad Bee

Nomada fucata

Its cuckoo bee lays eggs in the mining bee's nests.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

Birds may prey on adult bees when foraging.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Don't disturb bees while they are working; they are usually not harmful.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Buffish Mining Bee's wingspan?

18-25 mm

How big is Buffish Mining Bee?

10-14 mm

How long does Buffish Mining Bee live?

20-40 days

How fast can Buffish Mining Bee fly?

15 km/h

What does Buffish Mining Bee eat?

They drink nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies in underground nests.

Where is Buffish Mining Bee usually found?

Grasslands

How does Buffish Mining Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Buffish Mining Bee have?

6

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