Bees belonging to the Andrena genus (Andrenidae family) closely resemble honey bees. However, unlike honey bees, they are all solitary and build their nests in the ground, preferring soft and sandy soil.

Sometimes, you can find many nests close to each other, but in reality, each female works alone, digging a small hole to lay her eggs.

They are particularly common insects on flowers in the spring

Andrena flavipes, in particular, is a champion in pollinating apple trees!

Did you know?

The mother doesn’t tend to the eggs and shows no further interest in the nest after constructing it and stocking it with food.

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United Nations Biodiversity LIFE Greenchange LIFE 4 Pollinators Bumblebee Conservation Trust The Pollinator Partnership BeeLife European Beekeeping Coordination polli.NET Life BEEadapt Ca’ Foscari Sostenibile