Painted Mining Bee - Andrena fucata

Females most resemble A. varians and A. lapponica but have a white-haired face, white hair fringes on the sternites and brown rather than blackish hairs on the pollen brushes of the hind legs. Males are one of the species with very long mandibles that have a triangular projection at the base. The yellowish-brown hind tarsi and rather long but sparse hair fringes along the hind margins of the sternites help separate them from males of helvola and lapponica.

Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field.  All red-rated records should include a photo, or set of photos, showing the key characters, which may require the specimen. Please include a face shot, side, top and wings.  Note whether male or female, explain how the specimen met the key characters and the key used.  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’).

It occurs in a variety of habitats, especially in and around blossom-rich woods and can cope with moorland edge.

Univoltine from mid-May to mid-July, exceptionally early August.

The nest burrows are usually solitary.

Found throughout much of Britain and Ireland, this is a fairly frequent species but rarely ever common.

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.