VU

Large Gorse Mining Bee

Andrena bimaculata

UnknownDDEU

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Large Gorse Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss of gorse-dominated heathland and coastal habitats across its range. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented its specialized nesting sites, while the decline of traditional land management practices has reduced the availability of suitable foraging areas. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the flowering periods of its primary food plants, potentially disrupting the synchronization between bee emergence and peak nectar availability.

Threat summary

Habitat

This specialist bee inhabits gorse-dominated heathlands, coastal dunes, and scrubland areas where it constructs underground nests in sandy or well-drained soils. The species shows strong fidelity to areas with abundant gorse (Ulex species) and other spring-flowering shrubs that provide essential pollen and nectar resources.

Other threatened species in Andrenidae

VU

Large Shaggy Bee

Panurgus banksianus

Unknown
VU

Red-horned Mini-miner

Andrena nanula

Unknown
VU

Graue Lockensandbiene

Andrena nycthemera

Unknown
Small Scabious Mining BeeVU

Small Scabious Mining Bee

Andrena marginata

Unknown

Threatened in Afghanistan

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
small mallowVU

small mallow

Malva pusilla

Unknown
Tiger SawgillCR

Tiger Sawgill

Lentinus tigrinus

Unknown
EN

Malus komarovii

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Large Gorse Mining Bee classified as Vulnerable?
Large Gorse Mining Bee is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Large Gorse Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss of gorse-dominated heathland and coastal habitats across its range. Agricultural intensification and urban development have fragmented its specialized nesting sites, while the decline of traditional land management practices has reduced the availability of suitable foraging areas. Climate change poses an additional threat by altering the flowering periods of its primary food plants, potentially disrupting the synchronization between bee emergence and peak nectar availability.
Where does Large Gorse Mining Bee live?
Large Gorse Mining Bee occurs in Afghanistan, Algeria, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, and Croatia (plus 28 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Large Gorse Mining Bee?
The main threats to Large Gorse Mining Bee are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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.