A medium-sized (8-12mm) spring species with a close association with willows. Fresh females have a reddish-buff thoracic pile with pale hairs along the sides of the thorax. The abdomen has a moderate covering of buffish coloured hairs, although these can fade and wear quickly. The males are small and slender but rather large-headed, with a distinctive mandible projection and rather sparsely clad with greyish-buff hairs. Both sexes resemble Andrena apicata, but that species is larger and the female is much less reddish in colour. It is classed as Vulnerable in Ireland.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread but uncommon. Records are concentrated primarily in Leinster, but it has been recorded more sparsely in all provinces.

Flight period: Mid-March until late May, peaking in April. It is unusual to see this species later than early May.

Habitat: Occurs in willow-rich habitats, particularly deciduous woodland edges, scrub and brownfield sites. Like Andrena apicata, it appears to be less able to utilise urban and suburban habitats with willows in the manner that Andrena clarkella (another willow specialist) can and it appears to have an asosication with deciduous woodlands.

Flowers visited: Oligolectic on willows. Various willows may be used, but particularly Goat Willow and Grey Willow.

Personal records: I have observed this species at four sites, Knocksink Wood (Co. Wicklow), St. Mullin’s and Tinnehinch (both Co. Carlow) and Armagh City (Co. Armagh). At the former site I observed a solitary female basking on a bare clay bank and several males lekking over dead leaves and herbaceous vegetation. At St. Mullin’s I counted four females foraging on willow catkins and basking on wooden posts. I also counted at least 7 males. These were almost always flying around  or basking on pale wooden posts, tree trunks or willow blossoms. At Armagh, which is one of the most northerly sites for this species in Ireland, I have observed just one female basking on a wooden post. Like Andrena apicata, the males are fond of ‘zig-zagging’ up pale, sun-lit tree trunks and fenceposts whilst searching for females. As seen in the images below, the females are also fond of basking on pale tree trunks and fenceposts, as well as on vegetation. At suitable sites it can be locally numerous. Its kleptoparasite, Nomada ferruginata has not been found in Ireland.