Goldafter-Bindensandbiene
Andrena chrysopyga
Photo: Photo: (c) Hjalte Kjærby, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Hjalte Kjærby
Overview
The Goldafter-Bindensandbiene (Andrena chrysopyga) is a specialized solitary mining bee distinguished by its golden-yellow abdominal segments and dark thorax. This ground-nesting species plays a crucial role as a pollinator of wildflowers in sandy habitats, with females creating individual burrows where they provision cells with pollen and nectar for their larvae.
Andrena chrysopyga, the Golden-tailed Mining Bee, faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss and degradation of its specialized sandy soil nesting sites. Agricultural intensification, urban development, and the loss of its preferred flowering plants have drastically reduced suitable breeding and foraging areas. Climate change may further exacerbate these pressures by altering the timing of plant flowering and affecting soil conditions.
Habitat
Andrena chrysopyga inhabits open sandy areas including coastal dunes, sandy heathlands, and sparse grasslands with well-drained, loose soils suitable for excavating nesting burrows. The species requires proximity to specific flowering plants and areas with minimal vegetation cover for optimal nesting conditions.
Other threatened species in Andrenidae
Threatened in Austria
Frequently asked questions
Why is Goldafter-Bindensandbiene classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Goldafter-Bindensandbiene live?
What are the main threats to Goldafter-Bindensandbiene?
Get weekly conservation intelligence
One short digest a week of the most striking species and country data we ship, plus breaking conservation news paired with our database where it matters.
Free, no spam. One-click unsubscribe in every email.