# 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. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Buffish Mining Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Andrena_nigroaenea_265218351.jpg&width=800) Photo: Jessica Alvey, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrena_nigroaenea_265218351.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Andrenidae - **Genus:** Andrena ## 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 - **Underground Architect:** Buffish Mining Bees can dig intricate burrows underground to create safe nurseries for their young. - **Pollen Powerhouse:** Buffish Mining Bees have special fuzzy hairs on their hind legs called scopa to carry lots of pollen. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds may prey on adult bees when foraging. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Don't disturb bees while they are working; they are usually not harmful. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Buffish Mining Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Buffish Mining Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/buffish-mining-bee)