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Tawny Mining Bee

Andrena fulva

The Tawny 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: Urban areas

Appearance

The Tawny Mining Bee is covered in dense, bright fox-red or ginger fur on its thorax, with a contrasting shiny black abdomen and black legs. Its vibrant, uniform tawny coat makes it visually distinct from most other spring bees.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderHymenopteraFamilyAndrenidaeGenusAndrena
Tawny Mining Bee
furry trait badgesolitary trait badgeherbivorous trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
Tawny Mining Bee

Category

Insects

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Each mother bee works completely alone, digging a new tunnel for every single egg.

Males have lighter, yellowish facial hair, making them look a bit different.

Sometimes many females nest close together, forming a 'mini-village' of burrows!

They often nest in sunny lawns, creating tiny volcano-shaped soil mounds!

Special abilities

Ability

Underground Architects

Tawny Mining Bees can excavate intricate burrows underground for their nests because they have strong mandibles for digging.

Ability

Pollen Collectors

Tawny Mining Bees have special branched hairs (scopae) on their hind legs that help them efficiently collect and carry pollen.

Ability

Spring Sensors

Tawny Mining Bees emerge very early in spring, synchronizing their appearance with the blooming of vital early-season flowers.

Measurements & details

Wingspan
15-25 mm
Size
8-14 mm
Lifespan
21-42 days
Leg Count
6

Diet & Feeding

Tawny Mining Bees drink flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies.

Primary Foods

  • Nectar
  • Pollen
  • Salix caprea (Goat Willow)
  • Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
  • Prunus domestica (Plum Tree)

Foraging Method

  • Foraging

Ecological connections

pollinates

Goat Willow

Salix caprea

Crucial early pollinator for catkins.

pollinates

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinale

Visits widespread garden flowers for vital resources.

eaten by

Red-horned Nomad Bee

Nomada ruficornis

Cuckoo bee larvae consume host's pollen provisions.

eaten by

Great Tit

Parus major

A common bird predator of flying insects.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be gentle and watch from a distance when you see bees. They are helpful friends!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Tawny Mining Bee's wingspan?

15-25 mm

How big is Tawny Mining Bee?

8-14 mm

How long does Tawny Mining Bee live?

21-42 days

What does Tawny Mining Bee eat?

Tawny Mining Bees drink flower nectar for energy and gather pollen to feed their babies.

Where is Tawny Mining Bee usually found?

Urban areas

How does Tawny Mining Bee hunt?

Foraging

How many legs does Tawny Mining Bee have?

6

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