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Small Sandpit Mining Bee

Andrena argentata

UnknownDDEU

Overview

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

The Small Sandpit Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss of its specialized nesting habitat in sandy soils and quarries. Urban development and the restoration of former mining sites have eliminated many of the open, sparsely vegetated areas this species requires for ground nesting. Additionally, changes in land management practices have reduced the availability of suitable foraging plants, while increased use of pesticides in agricultural areas adjacent to nesting sites poses direct mortality risks.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits open sandy areas including active and abandoned quarries, coastal dunes, heathlands, and sparsely vegetated sandy soils. It requires bare or lightly vegetated sandy substrates for ground nesting, typically in areas with good sun exposure and nearby flowering plants for foraging.

Other threatened species in Andrenidae

VU

Graue Lockensandbiene

Andrena nycthemera

Unknown
VU

Large Shaggy Bee

Panurgus banksianus

Unknown
VU

Red-horned Mini-miner

Andrena nanula

Unknown
Small Scabious Mining BeeVU

Small Scabious Mining Bee

Andrena marginata

Unknown

Threatened in Austria

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Large Tree-chernes

Dendrochernes cyrneus

Unknown
VU

Olive Skipper

Pyrgus serratulae

Unknown
SandoldenborreCR

Sandoldenborre

Hoplia graminicola

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is Small Sandpit Mining Bee classified as Endangered?
Small Sandpit Mining Bee is classified as Endangered — facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild — because population numbers are declining steeply and key habitats are under sustained pressure. The Small Sandpit Mining Bee faces severe population declines primarily due to the loss of its specialized nesting habitat in sandy soils and quarries. Urban development and the restoration of former mining sites have eliminated many of the open, sparsely vegetated areas this species requires for ground nesting. Additionally, changes in land management practices have reduced the availability of suitable foraging plants, while increased use of pesticides in agricultural areas adjacent to nesting sites poses direct mortality risks.
Where does Small Sandpit Mining Bee live?
Small Sandpit Mining Bee occurs in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czechia, Denmark, and Estonia (plus 15 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 Small Sandpit Mining Bee?
The main threats to Small Sandpit 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.

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