Females of this species are medium-sized (9-11mm) bees which can be distinguished from other similar species by the presence of an orange tuft of hair at the end of the abdomen (terminal fringe).  It also has a vibrant rust-coloured thoracic pile, a black abdomen, grey hairs on the sides of the thorax, pale facial hairs and yellow-orange legs. Males are smaller and slimmer with duller colouration but crucially, still possess the orange terminal fringe. It is one of the commoner mining bees and a fairly widespread species, hence it is classed as Least Concern in Ireland.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread andcommon throughout, although probably under-recorded in western and northern areas.

Flight period: Late March-early July, but in my experience it is easier to find towards the beginning of its flight period, particularly in April and May when activity is concentrated on Hawthorn or dandelions.

Habitat: A wide range of habitats such as woodland edges, farmland, scrub, brownfield sites, meadows, parks and gardens etc.

Flowers visited: Females are widely polylectic and both sexes will visit dandelions, Sallow catkins, Blackthorn, Hawthorn, brassicas, buttercups, umbellifers and others.

Personal records: I have recorded this species frequently around Hillsborough (Co. Down), where I have seen it nest singly or in loose aggregations in bare soil in lightly wooded areas, usually with dappled sunlight.  There is a large population at Lagan Meadows (Co. Antrim) where I have observed females nesting  on the edges of pathways and in old sand bunkers, and hundreds of males lekking on Gorse, Blackthorn and Sallow. I have also recorded it from Kilbroney Forest (Co. Down), Milford Cutting and Armagh City (Co. Armagh), Tully Castle (Co. Fermanagh), Slievenacloy (Co. Antrim), and many more sites across Ireland.  It is the sole host of the Nomad bee Nomada ruficornis.