The Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) is a species of solitary bee found in Europe and parts of western Asia. It lives in dry, sunny habitats such as grasslands, meadows and arable land. This small bee is easily identifiable due to its distinctive tawny-brown coloration, which is unique among European bees. The Tawny Mining Bee is an important pollinator of many wildflowers and crops, making it an essential part of the ecosystem. It is also a popular target for beekeeping enthusiasts who are attracted to its industrious nature and gentle disposition.The Tawny Mining Bee (Andrena fulva) is a species of bee belonging to the family Andrenidae. It is found in Europe and parts of western Asia, inhabiting dry habitats with sandy soils. This bee has striking yellowish-brown colouration and has distinctive long white hairs on its face and legs. The female can reach up to 11 mm in length and the male up to 8 mm. The Tawny Mining Bee constructs nests in the ground, with each female digging a burrow up to 30 cm long before laying her eggs inside. It is an important pollinator of various wild plants, including clovers and other legumes.
What Does the Tawny Mining Bee Look Like?
The Tawny Mining Bee is a small bee that is found in Europe and Western Asia. It has a reddish-brown body with yellowish-orange stripes along its sides. Its wings are transparent and it has a long tongue for nectar collection. The average size of this bee is approximately 8-10 mm in length and the wingspan is around 15 to 20 mm. It has two pairs of legs and antennae, and its eyes are black.
The Tawny Mining Bee feeds on nectar and pollen from flowers, as well as various types of insects such as aphids, flies, moths, and caterpillars. Its nests can be found in sandy or clay soils, where it digs tunnels to lay its eggs and store food for the young bees. The nest entrances are usually round or oval shaped holes with a diameter of 1 cm or less.
The female Tawny Mining Bee often defends her nest aggressively, attacking other female bees that attempt to enter it. She will also fly around the nest entrance to scare away any potential predators such as birds or wasps. The male bees do not participate in defending the nest; instead they help by bringing food back to their mate who is busy taking care of the larvae inside the nest.
In overall appearance, the Tawny Mining Bee is quite distinctive with its reddish-brown body and yellowish-orange stripes. It’s an important pollinator species that helps maintain healthy ecosystems across Europe and Western Asia.
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