Andrena scotica (carantonica) - 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.

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.