Yellow-legged mining bee Andrena flavipes

Best time to see: mid Mar to late May

Key facts

A solitary bee recognisable by the orange-yellow pollen brushes on the hind legs

Common across much of southern England, including in gardens, flying mainly in spring, often in large numbers

Nests are built in the ground, in sunny banks and cliffs, roadside verges and close-cut lawns

Recognition

Dark, with yellow hairs on the thorax and four bands of yellow hairs on the abdomen

The male lacks a pollen brush and is slimmer and less hairy than the female