This is one of three ‘mini-miners’ found in Ireland and the one with the longest flight period, flying in two generations from March until September. Both sexes are small (7-9mm) and rather indistinct, but the female abdomen lacks the glossy areas of Andrena semilaevis and the thorax is more heavily punctured than Andrena subopaca. Males are can have pale or dark haired faces and a well-punctured thorax.  In general, it is best to check both sexes under a microscope. It is listed as Least Concern in Ireland.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread but seemingly more common in the south and east, with a paucity of records in the midlands, Connacht and Ulster.

Flight Period: Bivoltine, appearing in mid-March until late May and again from late June – early September. It generally peaks in April and July.

Habitat: Scrub, brownfield sites, disused quarries, woodland clearings, coastal dunes and grasslands.

Flowers visited: Spring individuals will visit Blackthorn, willow catkins, dandelions and Colt’s-foot among others, whilst the summer brood will visit Common Daisy, Ragwort, brambles, Hogweed, hawkweeds and others.

Personal Records: I have recorded females of this species at several brownfield and woodland sites around Armagh (Co. Armagh) and both sexes near Carrickmore (Co. Tyrone), St. Mullin’s (Co. Carlow) and Knocksink Wood (Co. Wicklow). I have observed females nesting singly in clay banks and spoil heaps. The nesting holes can be very inconspicuous and can be situated on partially-vegetated banks around basal rosettes of various plants. It is one of the hosts of the Little Nomad Bee (Nomada flavoguttata).