This  species is very similar to the more widespread Hawksbeard Mining Bee (Andrena fulvago). Females possess many of the same features, including pale buff hairs on the head, thorax and legs, a golden-orange terminal fringe,  orange tarsi and hind tibia and sparse pale hairs on the abdomen which become denser along the rear margins of each tergite. The hind tibia hairs are branches (plumose), the hind femur lacks a row of small spines. Unlike Andrena fulvago and the Iberian species Andrena fertoni, the top of the thorax and clypeus are rather shagreened (roughened) and dull. Males are smaller and duller with brown hairs and lightened dull orange tibia and tarsi. The antennae are somewhat shiny underneath and the abdomen and thorax are densely punctured and also dull and matt.

Distribution: In Europe this is primarily a southern species, occuring in southern and central Iberia, southern and eastern France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria, Slovakia and the Balkans. It also inhabits Ukraine, the Causasus region, Turkey, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Iran, Kazakhstan and most larger Mediterranean islands.

Flight Period: Univoltine, flying between March – June in most areas.

Habitat: This species inhabits various habitats which are rich in yellow Asteraceae, such as field margins, dry meadows, maquis, scrub, coastal dunes, brownfield land and steppic grasslands.

Flowers Visited: Females obtain pollen from yellow composite flowers (Asteraceae). Males visit flowers of several mirrow orchids (Ophrys) and engage in pseudocopulation.

Personal Records: I have encountered this species around southeastern Madrid in central Spain. Here females could be observed visiting flowers of various yellow Asteraceae. I have also found females near Querenca in southern Portugal.