Photo: BartBotje / CC BY 3.0
Andrena ventralis
Red-bellied Mining Bee
A distinctive mining bee (9–11 mm) with a black thorax and a striking reddish-orange abdomen tip. It is an oligolectic specialist on willow (Salix) pollen and is among the earliest bees to emerge in spring, often flying as early as March. It nests solitarily in sandy or loamy soils, frequently in small aggregations along forest edges and riverbanks. Swiss Red List: Least Concern (LC).
Species Facts
- Size
- 9–11 mm
- Flight Period
- March to May
- Nesting
- Ground
- Specialization
- Salix
- Abundance
- Uncommon
- Family
- Andrenidae
External Sources
This data has been cross-referenced with national sources:
Data Source & Copyright
| Category | Source / Author | License |
|---|---|---|
| Photo | BartBotje | CC BY 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)
