The females of this mining bee are similar in appearance to several other species, but they have a black face, legs and abdomen which together help to identify them. Males are similar to other male Andrena species, but have a small projection at the base of the mandibles, small whitish hairs on the sternites and black hind tarsi. Other useful clues are its habitat and feeding preferences, as this species is unlikely to be seen outside of bogs, acidic woodland and heathy areas (indeed it is one of the few solitary bees that fly in  areas of heath and bog early in the year) and females forage almost exclusively on Bilberry.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread across the island but local.

Flight period: Late April-early July. Numbers typically peak in May.

Habitat: Heath, bogs, acidic deciduous woodland, acidic scrub and clearings in conifer plantations, the common denominator being an abundance of Bilberry.

Flowers visited: Primarily Bilberry. Other flowers such Cowberry, Hawthorn, willows, speedwells and violets are reportedly used occasionally.

Personal records: I have observed it in Drumkeeragh Forest, Co. Down, where Bilberry grows abundantly in the large clearing on the south side but also along the eastern edges of the woodland. Females fly here in good numbers but males are less often encountered. I have also recorded this species in Ards Forest and Glenveagh National Park (Co. Donegal), Gortin Glen (Co. Tyrone), Slieve Gullion (Co. Armagh), Clonachullion Wood and Kilbroney Forest (Co. Down). I have searched for it in raised bogland for this species in several midland counties but without success. Nesting usually occurs singly in south-facing areas of dry peaty soil. It is the host species of the kleptoparasitic Nomada panzeri, Nomada glabella (Irish status unclear) and possibly by  Nomada fabriciana, although this requires confirmation.