Large Sallow Mining Bee
Andrena apicata
The Large Sallow Mining Bee is a robust, early-flying solitary bee species that emerges in spring to coincide with sallow (willow) flowering. Females are distinctive with their dense, golden-brown hair and relatively large size compared to other mining bees, while males are smaller with lighter coloration.
24
Countries
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_apicata
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Hymenoptera
Family
Andrenidae
Genus
Andrena
Large Sallow Mining Bee belongs to the family Andrenidae, order Hymenoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Large Sallow Mining Bee is a robust, early-flying solitary bee species that emerges in spring to coincide with sallow (willow) flowering. Females are distinctive with their dense, golden-brown hair and relatively large size compared to other mining bees, while males are smaller with lighter coloration. This species plays a crucial ecological role as a specialist pollinator of sallow trees and shrubs, making it an important component of early spring pollination networks.
The Large Sallow Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated much of its specialized nesting and foraging habitat. The species' narrow ecological requirements and dependence on specific sallow species for pollen collection makes it particularly vulnerable to landscape changes and climate-driven shifts in plant phenology.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Large Sallow Mining Bees inhabit areas with abundant sallow trees and shrubs, particularly in damp woodlands, carr woodland, wetland margins, and scrubland where willows naturally occur. Females require suitable sandy or loamy soils nearby for excavating their underground nesting burrows, often selecting south-facing banks or clearings with good sun exposure.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Large Sallow Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development, which has eliminated much of its specialized nesting and foraging habitat. The species' narrow ecological requirements and dependence on specific sallow species for pollen collection makes it particularly vulnerable to landscape changes and climate-driven shifts in plant phenology.
Habitat loss from agricultural intensification
Loss of sallow trees and shrubs
Urban development and land conversion
Climate change affecting plant-pollinator synchrony
Pesticide use in agricultural landscapes
Found in 24 Countries
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (EN).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | DDData Deficient | ENEndangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Large Sallow Mining Bee (Andrena apicata). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/large-sallow-mining-bee