This is one of Ireland’s rarest bees, being confined to a single location where it has only been recorded on a small number of occasions. Compared to its relatives it is a medium-sized blood bee (7-9mm) with a rather compact body and transverse head. The best means of identifying the females is to check for the presence of a sharp angular collar just behind the head, so a specimen will be needed. Males are best determined using genitalia. It inhabits sites occupied by its host species, Andrena barbilabris. 

Distribution in Ireland: Only known from Murlough NNR on the Co. Down Coast. It probably occupies other A. barbilabris sites, but as an inconspicuous species it has possibly been overlooked.

Flight period: Irish records are from May and June, but in Britain it is observable from late March until September.

Habitat: Sandy coastal heath is the only known Irish habitat.

Flowers visited: Dandelions, Colt’s-foot, mayweeds and others.

Personal records: I have observed several females from Murlough NNR (Co. Down). Here I have seen them investigate sandy nesting aggregations of A. barbilabris among south-facing sandy slopes. They should be searched for around A. barbilabris nesting aggregations, particularly in sandy coastal localities.