Photo: Aiwok / CC BY-SA 3.0
Andrena praecox
Small Sallow Mining Bee
One of the very first bees to emerge in early spring, sometimes as early as February. The thorax is densely covered with bright yellowish-brown hair giving a foxy appearance. The abdomen has yellowish hair bands. It is strictly specialised on willow (Salix) pollen. Males patrol tree trunks in swarms. In Switzerland it is widespread from lowlands up to alpine meadows. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 10-11 mm
- Flight Period
- February to April
- Nesting
- Ground
- Specialization
- Willow/Salix
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Andrenidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | Aiwok | 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)
