Andrena Haemorrhoa (Fabricus, 1781)
Female 8-10mm, Male 7-9.5mm
Commonly known as the Orange-tailed Mining Bee, early Mining Bee.
Flight season…. Long flight time, can appear in late March into July.
Common throughout UK including the Channel Islands.
Habitat …Wide variety of habitats including grasslands, woodlands, hedgerows, urban gardens, farm landscapes and can tolerate heavy clay soils.
Main favourite flowers visited, Hawthorns, Gorse, blossoming shrubs as Willows, Dandelions, Colt’s-foot, Cow Parsley, Rape, buttercups, Wood Anemone, Maple and fruit trees.
Nesting habits…. Prefers south facing grassy slopes and banks, nesting occurs singly or in casual aggregations.
Parasites & associates… The cleptoparasitic bee Nomada ruficornis.

Below are images of the female