Early Mining Bee Andrena varians
This common mining bee could be the product of two other Mining Bee species. Like so many others it doesn't seem to have a common English name. Reaching some 10 to 12 mm it is about the same size as your average Mining Bee. It is quite hard to distinguish from the Early Mining Bee and therefore usually overlooked. The hairs however are shorter than those of the Early Mining Bee and the orange-red tail is less striking. Despite being overlooked it is a very frequent visitor to many gardens. The species also likes to nest in gardens and parks, but usually it is alone or in very small groups only. Females can be seen from April to mid-June, males are normally observed in April only. The animal takes all flowers for granted, including many exotic garden plants. This is a common species all over the British Isles, getting scarcer going northwards though.
