Photo: Scott Shanks / CC BY
Andrena lapponica
Heather Mining Bee
A specialist pollinator of blueberries and heather, this mining bee (12–13 mm) is found in acidic soils across northern regions and alpine meadows. It is oligolectic on Ericaceae, collecting pollen exclusively from bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), heather (Calluna vulgaris), and related plants. It nests solitarily in the ground in heathlands, moorlands, and coniferous forest clearings, often in small aggregations. Its flight period coincides with the flowering of its host plants. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 12–13 mm
- Flight Period
- April to June
- Nesting
- Ground
- Specialization
- Blueberry/Heather (Ericaceae)
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Andrenidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Scott Shanks | CC BY |
| 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)
