Early Mining Bee
Andrena haemorrhoa
This record describes Andrena haemorrhoa (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Length 8 to 11 mm. The thorax is foxy brown on top; the abdomen is black with few hairs, except for prominent orange hairs at the tip. The male is much smaller than the female and its hairs are much lighter colour, tending to grey or even white. Around potential nesting sites such as gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, paths and the sides of roads. Females are often seen nesting alone, but groups of females do occur, even though these groups are never very big. Widespread and common species in Britain.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena haemorrhoa: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_haemorrhoa.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Andrenidae
- Genus
- Andrena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Around potential nesting sites such as gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, paths and the sides of roads.
Seasonal Activity
March to June.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Females are often seen nesting alone, but groups of females do occur, even though these groups are never very big.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and common species in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena haemorrhoa. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Early Mining Bee
What is Early Mining Bee?
Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Early Mining Bee?
8 to 11 mm. The thorax is foxy brown on top; the abdomen is black with few hairs, except for prominent orange hairs at the tip. The male is much smaller than the female and its hairs are much lighter colour, tending to grey or even white.
Where is Early Mining Bee found?
Habitat: Around potential nesting sites such as gardens, playgrounds, sports fields, paths and the sides of roads.
When is Early Mining Bee active?
Early Mining Bee: seasonal activity - March to June..
What is the life cycle of a Early Mining Bee?
Females are often seen nesting alone, but groups of females do occur, even though these groups are never very big.