# Mining Bees (*Andrena*) Mining bees are small, fuzzy insects that love to dig in the ground. They are great pollinators and help flowers grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![Mining Bees](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Bee_February_2008-3.jpg&width=800) Photo: Alvesgaspar, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bee_February_2008-3.jpg) ## Appearance The Mining Bees are fuzzy, medium-sized bees often colored black, brown, or reddish, sometimes with pale striped abdomens. They have noticeable pollen-collecting hairs (scopae) on their hind legs or underside, distinguishing them from wasps. Their bodies are typically stout, making them look stockier than honey bees. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Andrenidae - **Genus:** Andrena ## Interesting facts - Each female mining bee is a superhero single mom, building an entire nest all by herself. - Mining bees are incredible pollinators for many plants, even though they don't make honey. - Mining bees dig intricate tunnels underground, sometimes creating 'bee cities' in your lawn! - They are among the first bees to buzz around in spring, sometimes when it's still chilly! ## Special abilities - **Underground Architects:** Mining Bees can excavate complex burrows in the soil because of strong jaws and specialized legs that help them create nests. - **Pollen Power Hairs:** Mining Bees have dense, branched hairs (scopae) that helps them collect and transport large amounts of pollen for their young. - **Solo Nest Builders:** Mining Bees are solitary and each female builds her own individual nest, because they don't live in a large colony. - **Early Spring Risers:** Mining Bees can emerge very early in spring, because they are well-adapted to cooler temperatures, helping to pollinate early blooms. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-30 mm - **Size:** 8-17 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Mining bees sip nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Willow pollen, Dandelion pollen, Fruit tree pollen - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Apple Tree](https://www.snappit.app/explore/apple-tree) (*Malus domestica*) — Helps apple trees produce fruit in spring. - **Pollinates:** Goat Willow (*Salix caprea*) — Crucial early spring pollinator for willows. - **Parasitizes:** Gooden's Nomad Bee (*Nomada goodeniana*) — Lays eggs in mining bee nests, stealing food. - **Eaten by:** [European Hornet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-hornet) (*Vespa crabro*) — Hornets may prey on adult mining bees. ## 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. - [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. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [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 Mining bees are usually safe, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Mining Bees? 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 Mining Bees's wingspan? 15-30 mm ### How big is Mining Bees? 8-17 mm ### How long does Mining Bees live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Mining Bees fly? 12 km/h ### What does Mining Bees eat? Mining bees sip nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their growing babies. ### Where is Mining Bees usually found? Urban areas ### How does Mining Bees hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Peninsula Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/peninsula-village-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Mount Maxwell Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-maxwell-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [West Shawnigan Lake Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/west-shawnigan-lake-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Mount Fernie Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mount-fernie-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park - [Pinecone Burke Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/pinecone-burke-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Mining Bees](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/mining-bees) ## 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: [Mining Bees: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/mining-bees)