# Prunus Miner Bee (*Andrena prunorum*) The Prunus Miner Bee is a small, friendly bee that loves to visit flowers. They are great pollinators and help plants grow by spreading pollen from one flower to another. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 1 - **Habitat:** Urban areas, Gardens ![Prunus Miner Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Andrena_prunorum%252C_m%252C_back%252C_Pennington%252C_SD_2018-10-12-13.26.07_ZS_%2844099396880%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrena_prunorum%252C_m%252C_back%252C_Pennington%252C_SD_2018-10-12-13.26.07_ZS_%2844099396880%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Prunus Miner Bee is a medium-sized bee, covered in dense, light brown to reddish-brown fuzz on its thorax and a black abdomen. It has prominent yellow-orange hairs on its hind legs for carrying pollen, and a slightly iridescent sheen on its wings distinguishing it from common house flies. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Andrenidae - **Genus:** Andrena ## Interesting facts - Did you know Prunus Miner Bees don't make honey like honeybees do? - Look closely for their sparkly, golden fuzz on their hind legs! - They are called "miner bees" because they dig their own tunnels! - Wow, these amazing bees build tiny apartment-like homes underground for their babies! ## Special abilities - **Underground Architect:** Prunus Miner Bee can dig intricate underground tunnels because of its strong front legs that help them create safe nurseries for their young. - **Pollen Magnet:** Prunus Miner Bee has special fuzzy hairs called scopa on its hind legs that help them collect and transport large amounts of pollen. - **Springtime Gardener:** Prunus Miner Bee can efficiently pollinate early-blooming fruit trees because of its activity during the precise flowering window. - **Gentle Nature:** Prunus Miner Bee has a very calm temperament that helps them safely visit flowers without being aggressive, rarely stinging. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 12-18 mm - **Size:** 8-12 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 20 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding This bee sips nectar for energy and collects pollen to feed its growing babies underground. - **Age differences:** Larvae consume pollen provisions left by the mother, while adult bees feed on nectar and pollen. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar (Prunus spp.), Pollen (Prunus spp.), Nectar (early spring flowers) - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Common Plum (*Prunus domestica*) — Vital for fruit production of this tree. - **Pollinates:** Wild Cherry (*Prunus avium*) — Helps fertilize flowers of wild cherry. - **Parasitizes:** Cuckoo Bee (*Nomada succincta*) — Lays eggs in the nests of Prunus Miner Bees. - **Eaten by:** [Great Tit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — Birds may prey on adult bees in flight. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [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 These bees are friendly, but it's best to watch them from a distance. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Prunus Miner 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 Prunus Miner Bee's wingspan? 12-18 mm ### How big is Prunus Miner Bee? 8-12 mm ### How long does Prunus Miner Bee live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Prunus Miner Bee fly? 20 km/h ### What does Prunus Miner Bee eat? This bee sips nectar for energy and collects pollen to feed its growing babies underground. ### Where is Prunus Miner Bee usually found? Urban areas, Gardens ### How does Prunus Miner Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Discovery Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/discovery-park) — Washington, US · Nature Reserve - [Lake Hiddenwood Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-hiddenwood-recreation-area) — South Dakota, US · Park - [Jefferson Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jefferson-park) — Washington, US · Park - [Alexandra Bridge Provincial Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alexandra-bridge-provincial-park) — British Columbia, CA · State Park [View all places to see Prunus Miner Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/prunus-miner-bee) ## 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: [Prunus Miner Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prunus-miner-bee)