This is one of the largest mining bees in Europe and the females are particularly impressive when encountered. It is somewhat variable in appearance, but in general it is a robust, dark mining bee with smokey (infuscate) wings. One form of this bee is completely black in colour, whilst the other has dark greyish hairs on the thorax, similar to species like Andrena cineraria. The key features to look out for in females are the non-metallic tergites, black tibial hairs and lack of white hairs on the abdomen. Males are also variable and pale forms with white hair can be difficult to separate from males of Andrena albopunctata. 

Distribution: In Europe, this species occurs in southern and central regions, from Portugal eastwards to Turkey and as far north as Germany and Poland. It also occurs around Mediterranean areas in north Africa, the Levant and further east in Iran and Russia.

Flight Period: A double-brooded species in many areas, flying from March – May (peaking in April in most areas) and again from June – August, again peaking in June in most areas.

Habitat: Occurs in a variety of habitats including maquis, scrub, woodland clearings, farmland and sometimes gardens.

Flowers Visited: This species visits a variety of flowers. Spring individuals are particularly fond of cistus (Cistaceae) and brassicas (Brassicaceae) and summer individuals prefer umbellifers and eryngos (Apiaceae) and brambles (Rubus sp.), although many more flowers are visited by both broods.

Personal Records: I have encountered this species in various Cistaceae-rich habitats during April in southern Portugal, particularly around Loule.