This is one of the medium-sized Andrena species (8-12mm) which is easily overlooked. It is generally dark in appearance with small white bands of hair of the side of the abdomen. It can resemble other Andrena bees, but other similar species have paler pollen hairs on the rear pair of legs and are usually smaller. Males are smaller and slimmer than females with a distinctive white clypeus (the front of the face). It is listed as Vulnerable in Ireland and likely suffered from excessive hedgerow and scrub removal.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread but somewhat local and generally infrequent. There is a scarcity of records from the midlands and western Ulster, probably reflecting a lack of recording effort here.

Flight period: Late May-early September, peaking in July.

Habitat: Known from a wide range of habitats including woodland edges and clearings, heathland margins, brownfield land and scrubby grassland. It seems to require structurally diverse habitats with a varied topography.

Flowers visited: Tormentil, brambles, thistles, knapweeds, Sheep’s-bit, umbellifers and various other flowers.

Personal records: I have observed this species at several localities, including Hillsborough, Lagan Meadows and Bloody Bridge (Co. Down) as well as Carrickmore (Co. Tyrone), Bonny Glen (Co. Donegal) and Woodburn Forest (Co. Antrim). It is one of our more inconspicuous Andrena species, but females can most easily be found foraging on brambles and umbellifers in sunny, sheltered patches of scrub or along hedgerows. The males typically fly actively around verges and vegetated banks. Nesting occurs singly or in loose aggregations, typically in south-facing partially-vegetated banks and slopes in a range of soils, including peaty soils, consolidated sand and clay. It is the host of the Flat-ridge Nomad Bee (Nomada obtusifrons).