Andrena scotica
Andrena scotica is a mining bee and at 10 to 14 mm is one of the larger species, the male being slightly smaller than the female. The abdomen is all dark with no red markings and with pale upright hairs along the tergite margins. Tergite 1 has clear microsculpture when viewed with magnification. The hairs of the pollen brush are all dark and the flocci is of modest density with pale hairs.
Females
- wing length 9.5-10.5mm
- top of propodeum smooth
- abdomen all black with bands of pale hairs fully along the tergite margins
- legs all black
- dorsal fringe of hind tibia with dark hairs
- tergite 1 with microsculpture (x40)
- flocci (hair tuft on trochanters) short
We will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via the BWARS’ Facebook noting the name of the person/organisation identifying the record (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’).
They especially enjoy firm sandy soils with no overgrowing plants to smother the nest, for this reason they are often found near to pathways.
Mid March to late June - peaking late April and May.
Females share a common entry during nesting. Underground however each female takes care of her own chamber. Using the same entrance without being a real structured community is called communal. Because many chambers share one exit, fresh animals meet each other in this exit while trying to get out for the first time in spring. Males try to mate immediately, so in many cases the females have been fertilised even before seeing daylight.
One of the most common Andrena species, with most British records coming from southern, central and north-eastern England.
Common in Leicestershire and Rutland.
Leicestershire & Rutland Map
Enter a town or village to see local records
MAP KEY:
Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2025+ | 2020-2024 | pre-2020
UK Map
Species profile
- Common names
- Chocolate Mining Bee
- Species group:
- Bees, Wasps, Ants
- Kingdom:
- Animalia
- Order:
- Hymenoptera
- Family:
- Andrenidae
- Records on NatureSpot:
- 78
- First record:
- 23/04/2009 (Calow, Graham)
- Last record:
- 23/05/2024 (Higgott, Mike)
Total records by month
% of records within its species group
10km squares with records
The latest images and records displayed below include those awaiting verification checks so we cannot guarantee that every identification is correct. Once accepted, the record displays a green tick.
In the Latest Records section, click on the header to sort A-Z, and again to sort Z-A. Use the header boxes to filter the list.