Mining Bee Field Note:
This Spring Beauty Mining Bee field note describes the conditions and habitat where this bee was first discovered in the early spring. In addition, it includes sections regarding the life style and habitats for this bee as well as a few memorable fun facts.
- Date: April 4, 2026
- Species: Sweet Beauty Mining Bee (Andrena)
- Location: Bare slope in a urban park, Central Kentucky’s Bluegrass Region
- Clear skies, low 70°F, light breeze
Observation:
A Spring Beauty Mining Bee, an early spring pollinator, landed on the freshly opened bloom of a Spring Beauty flower. The small bee hovered briefly before settling, diving into the petals to collect nectar and pollen. Its presence signaled the arrival of spring and coincided with the first flush of Spring Beauty blossoms in the park.
Notes:
The bee’s behavior was calm and focused on foraging. Its appearance this early in the season highlights its critical role in supporting early-blooming wildflowers and in jumpstarting the pollination cycle for the year.
Physical Traits:
Black coloring across body and wings
White-stripped abdomen
Tiny
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Life Cycle and Habitat
After the Spring Beauty Mining Bee emerges as an adult, it begins to mate and forage for nectar. These behaviors coincide with the bloom cycle of its host plant, the Spring Beauty. Occasionally, the mining bee can be found near willows and Virginia bluebells. Mostly, it prefers bare soil in sunny areas near deciduous woods or in lawns where females can create small, solitary underground burrows.
Social & Nesting Habits
The Spring Beauty Mining Bee, a solitary ground-nester, produces one brood per year. During the spring, females construct underground brood chambers where they lay their eggs and leave pollen balls to feed their young. Soon, larvae emerge and develop throughout the summer. As fall fades, larvae become adults and remain in their underground chambers throughout the winter. When spring arrives, they emerge as adults.
Pollen & Nectar Sources
Spring Beauty Mining bees are pollen specialists. They rely on two varieties of Spring Beauty flowers for pollen to feed their young: Virginia and Carolina Sweet Beauties (Clayton Virginia and C. Caroliniana)
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Mining Bee Fun Facts
Pink Pollen Diet: Because the Spring Beauty Mining Bee relies solely on the Spring Beauty flower for pollen, it carries the pink pollen on its body when foraging or returning to the nest.
Ephemeral Life: Spring Beauty Mining Bees and the Spring Beauty flower coexist, both thriving for several weeks during the early spring pollinator season.
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