Grey Mining Bee
Andrena cineraria
This record describes Andrena cineraria (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The females are black, and have two broad ashy-grey hair bands across the thorax. The males are similar, but the thorax is entirely clothed with less dense grey hairs, and has a very pronounced tuft of white hairs on the lower face. The male has white hairs on all femora; the female has white hairs only on front femora. This bee has a single flight period each year and is on the wing from early April until early June; the males emerging well before the females. Peak activity coincides with the flowering periods of fruit trees such as pear, cherry and apple. Although a solitary species, large aggregations can sometimes nest in one area. Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena cineraria: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ashy_mining_bee.
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 nest sites such as sandy banks.
Seasonal Activity
This bee has a single flight period each year and is on the wing from early April until early June; the males emerging well before the females. Peak activity coincides with the flowering periods of fruit trees such as pear, cherry and apple.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
Although a solitary species, large aggregations can sometimes nest in one area.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Widespread and fairly frequent in Britain.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena cineraria. 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.
Photos of Grey Mining Bee (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Grey Mining Bee
What is Grey Mining Bee?
Grey Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Grey Mining Bee found?
Habitat: Around nest sites such as sandy banks.
When is Grey Mining Bee active?
Grey Mining Bee: seasonal activity - This bee has a single flight period each year and is on the wing from early April until early June; the males emerging well before the females. Peak activity coincides with the flowering periods of fruit trees such as pear, cherry and apple..
What is the life cycle of a Grey Mining Bee?
Although a solitary species, large aggregations can sometimes nest in one area.