This is one of Ireland’s scarcest mining bees and one with a rather late period, typically peaking in August. It is strongly associated with scabious species, but this appears to be solely Devil’s-bit Scabious in Ireland.  Two colour forms exist, including one with a largely dark-brown/black abdomen and one with a reddish-orange abdomen. The latter however does not seem to be present in Ireland. It is a medium-sized (10 – 12mm) and inconspicuous species which can be tricky to encounter. Its scarcity and absence from former sites mean that it is classed as Critically Endangered.

Distribution in Ireland: It has a somewhat widespread but fragmented distribution in the southern half of the island. Records exist for Cos. Carlow, Laois, Kildare and Offaly, with a cluster of sightings from the hills in south Wicklow. There are also records from south Kerry, the Burren (Co. Clare) and Furnish Island (Co. Galway).

Flight period: Flies in a single generation from early August – late September, coinciding with the flowering of Devil’s-bit Scabious.

Habitat: Seems to be associated with both calcareous and acidic grassland in Ireland, as well as limestone pavement and flowery scrub. The key prerequisite is abundant Devil’s-bit Scabious.

Flowers visited: Oligolectic on scabiouses, using Devil’s-bit Scabious in Ireland.

Personal records: I have recorded this species once, at Finnamore Lakes in Co. Offaly. Here I managed to find a single female foraging on Devil’s-bit Scabious in an area of grassland adjacent to mixed woodland. I have yet to find the males or the nesting sites, despite searching for both. I have also unsuccessfully searched for this species on Furnish Island in Co. Galway, where it was recorded in 2000. The habitat here is rather different, consisting of thin, peaty soils and rocky outcrops with low growing Western Gorse and heathers and little tree growth. The sheer abundance of Devil’s-bit Scabious at some sites means that finding this species (which seems to occur in relatively low population densities) can be rather challenging. An unsuccessful search should therefore not be used to conclude its absence, as multiple attempts during the known flight period and preferably in different years, may be needed to detect it.