# 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.

- **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Urban areas

![Tawny Mining Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Andrena_fulva01.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Attribution · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Andrena_fulva01.jpg)

## 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.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Arthropoda
- **Class:** Insecta
- **Order:** Hymenoptera
- **Family:** Andrenidae
- **Genus:** Andrena

## 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

- **Underground Architects:** Tawny Mining Bees can excavate intricate burrows underground for their nests because they have strong mandibles for digging.
- **Pollen Collectors:** Tawny Mining Bees have special branched hairs (scopae) on their hind legs that help them efficiently collect and carry pollen.
- **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-tit) (*Parus major*) — A common bird predator of flying insects.

## 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.
- [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

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

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Tawny 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 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

## 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*)

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Source: [Tawny Mining Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tawny-mining-bee)