Females of this species are medium-sized (11-13mm) bees which can be distinguished from other similar species by the presence of its orange tail. 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 an orange tail. 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 and fairly common throughout, although probably under-recorded.

Flight Period: Late March-early July, but in my experience it is easier to find towards the beginning of its flight period when activity is concentrated on Dandelions.

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

Flowers visited: Dandelion, 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 in Co. Down and Slievenacloy, Co. Antrim. It is the sole host of the Nomad bee Nomada ruficornis.