Photo: James K. Lindsey / CC BY-SA 3.0
Andrena carantonica
Chocolate Mining Bee
A large mining bee (12–15 mm) with rich chestnut-brown hairs on the thorax and a dark brown, almost hairless abdomen. It is notable for its communal nesting behaviour: multiple females share a single nest entrance while maintaining separate brood chambers underground. It is polylectic, foraging on a wide range of spring flowers including willow, dandelion, fruit trees, maple, and hawthorn. It is one of the most common spring Andrena species across Central Europe and an important early pollinator in orchards and gardens. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 12–15 mm
- Flight Period
- March to June
- Nesting
- Ground
- Specialization
- Generalist
- Abundance
- Common
- Family
- Andrenidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | James K. Lindsey | CC BY-SA 3.0 |
| Taxonomy & Distribution | InfoFauna Switzerland | Public data |
| Global Distribution | GBIF | CC BY 4.0 |
Data Quality
Adequate Last audit: 2026-05-22
Completeness: 100%
✓Photo exists✓Traits consistent✓Description quality✓Red List referenced✓Attribution verified
Confidence: 33%
IdentifiabilityLowImage confidenceLowImage qualityMediumTrait coherenceHigh
Risk flags
Hard to identify
Difficult to identify genus (andrena)
