A rather large mining bee, similar in size to species such as Andrena clarkella or A. scotica. Females have a buff thoracic pile, buff facial hairs, abdominal and hind tibia hairs, with slightly paler hairs on the side of the thorax. Males have a projection at the base of the mandibles and are largely covered with pale grey-brown hair, except the posterior half of the abdomen (tergites 3 – 5) which has darker hair. Females are similar to A. praecox but are larger with less reddish-brown colouration. It is a scarcely recorded species in Ireland and is listed as Data Deficient. Its relatively scarcity is puzzling, considering that Andrena clarkella, another large willow-specialist Andrena is quite common. A. apicata appears to be more or less restricted to deciduous woodlands, perhaps suggesting more precise habitat requirements.

Distribution in Ireland: Records suggest that it is limited to Cos. Wicklow and Carlow, but it may also occur sporadically elsewhere in the southern counties, as a possible record exists for Killarney in Co. Kerry.

Flight Period: An early flier, active from mid-March until mid-May, peaking in April. In most years, both sexes will be gone by the beginning of May.

Habitat: Modern records come from deciduous woodland and scrub with abundant willows. Older records also include disused quarries.

Flowers Visited: Females are oligolectic on willows and visit the catkins almost exclusively. Males may occasionally visit dandelions or Lesser Celandine.

Personal Records: I have recorded this species in Knocksink Wood, Co. Wicklow where I observed a female nesting in a well-vegetated south-facing clay bank. It was nesting in close proximity to Andrena clarkella and several Nomada leucophthalma, a kleptoparasite of both of these species, were active nearby. I have also recorded a male at Kilcarry Bridge (Co. Carlow), which was active around willow catkins at the roadside, and at St. Mullin’s (also Co. Carlow) where males were observed basking on wooden posts.