This is a medium-sized mining bee with both sexes measuring around 10-12mm, although the males are on average are slightly smaller. The head and thorax have pale-brown hairs, the legs and hind tibia in particular have pale yellow-orange hairs whilst the black abdomen has a narrow white band on each tergite. It can appear similar to Halictus rubicundus at first glance, but abdominal bands on A. wilkella are broken, not continuous. It is currently classed as Data Deficient in Ireland due to possible confusion with Andrena ovatula, a species which was recently thought to have been found in Ireland. More recently however, it was proven that the specimens on which this addition was made were the current species, A. wilkella. Its status here should therefore be reviewed. It has likely declined in Ireland due to the intensification of agriculture and the loss of species-rich grasslands.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread but local. Records are more frequent in the southern half of the island, with the greatest concentration in Dublin and Wicklow. Seemingly scarce in Ulster and Connacht.

Flight Period: Single-brooded from April-July, but more likely to be seen between early May and late June.

Habitat: Associated with open habitats with abundant Fabaceae, such as unimproved grassland, heathland margins, limestone pavement, coastal dunes and brownfield sites. Occasionally seen in parks and woodland edges.

Flowers visited: Oligolectic on legumes (Fabaceae), such as Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Kidney Vetch, Red Clover and other related plants. Other flowers are occasionally visited.

Personal Records: I have recorded this species at Killard Point, Co. Down. Females can be seen foraging here on Bird’s-foot Trefoil and to a lesser extent, Kidney Vetch. Males too nectar on these plants and also bask around the soft-rock cliffs. I have also observed it at Tully Castle (Co. Fermanagh) where males gather in large numbers, lekking around grassy verges where the females also nest. It likely uses Red Clover as a pollen source here. I have also observed females at Gortlecka (Co. Clare) and Crone Woods (Co. Wicklow). Females nest singly or in small aggregations in warm, partially-vegetated slopes and banks. It is the sole host of the Blunt-jawed Nomad Bee (Nomada striata), although this species is scarcer than its host.