A distinctive mining bee which is unlikely to be confused with any other species. Females are  Honey Bee-sized and have predominantly black bodies with two ashy-grey bands on the thorax and some grey hairs on the face. Males are somewhat smaller and slimmer with a denser covering of grey hairs on the thorax, grey abdominal hairs and longer facial hairs. They are also one of our commoner solitary bees and can be seen in a wide range of habitats including gardens, parks and farmland.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread and fairly common.

Flight period: Late March-mid June, peaking between mid-April and mid-May

Habitat: A wide variety of habitats including gardens, woodland edges, farmland verges, heath, scrub and brownfield sites.

Flowers visited: A wide variety of spring flowers including dandelions, willows, buttercups, Cow Parsley, Spring Squill, various brassicas and Hawthorn.

Personal records: I have recorded this species widely, particularly in Co. Down and the greater Belfast area in Co. Antrim. Both sexes can be found flying around south-facing clay banks, bare soils around the bases of trees, sandy bunkers and other settings in spring time. Females may also be seen foraging nearby. It can nest in rather large aggregations, often accompanied by other species. It is one of the host species of Nomada goodeniana and is a probable host of Nomada lathburiana.