This is a large and rather striking mining bee with a bright red abdomen. The thoracic pile is relatively long and dense, in contrast to the otherwise similar Andrena parata. Males have a brownish abdomen and pale orange body hairs. Both sexes possess pale buffish abdominal bands, especially when fresh. This is a spanish endemic species.

Distribution: Endemic to Spain, where it exists in the eastern half of the country.

Flight Period: Flies in a single generation between late March and June.

Habitat: Prefers drier, arid habitats including maquis, garrigue and rocky grassland with plentiful Echium. 

Flowers Visited: Both sexes will visit flowers of Echium, which appears to be the main source of pollen for the females. Females have been observed nectaring on Ornithogalum and males on Phagnalon saxatile.

Personal Records: I have observed this species in the Sierra de Gador mountains in southeastern Spain, where a female was visiting flowers of Ornithogalum in a brownfield site.