Table of contents
Introduction
The Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) is an early-flying solitary bee, named for the rich brown colouring often seen on females. It is one of the first mining bees to appear in spring and is commonly noticed when large numbers nest together in lawns, banks, and grassy areas.
In the UK, this species is frequently encountered in gardens, parks, roadside verges, and open countryside. It plays an important role in early-season pollination, visiting spring flowers at a time when relatively few other bees are active.
Although the Chocolate Mining Bee is currently common, it is still affected by habitat loss, soil disturbance, and pesticide use. In this guide, you’ll learn how to identify Andrena scotica, tell it apart from similar mining bees, and understand why these early spring visitors are valuable to gardens and ecosystems alike.
Identification & Key Facts
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Chocolate Mining Bee |
| Latin Name | Andrena scotica |
| Size | Females: ~10–12 mm, Males: ~8–10 mm |
| Location | Widespread across the UK |
| Active Months | March to May |
| Habitat | Gardens, lawns, parks, verges, open countryside |
| Nesting Behaviour | Ground-nesting, often in large aggregations |
| Social Behaviour | Solitary (gregarious nesting) |
| Flora | Dandelion, buttercup, willow, spring flowers |
| UK Status | Common |
How to Identify the Chocolate Mining Bee
The Chocolate Mining Bee is a small to medium-sized mining bee. Females often show a warm brown or chocolate-coloured thorax, while the abdomen is darker and relatively smooth. Males are slimmer and lighter in colour.
In the UK, it is most often noticed by its nesting behaviour rather than on flowers, with many individuals emerging from small holes in short grass or bare soil during warm spring days.
Physical Characteristics
- Female – Stocky build with brown thoracic hair and darker abdomen; pollen carried on the hind legs.
- Male (Drone) – Smaller and slimmer, often with paler hair and longer antennae.
Similar Species
The Chocolate Mining Bee is commonly confused with other early-flying mining bees:
- Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) – Larger, with a reddish abdomen rather than brown thoracic hair.
- Buffish Mining Bee (Andrena nigroaenea) – More variable in colour and less strongly associated with lawns.
- Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida) – Shows distinct grey hair patches on the thorax.
If you’re unsure which bee you’ve spotted, our Bee Identification guide can help you narrow down UK species by size, colour, and behaviour.
Why the Chocolate Mining Bee Matters
The Chocolate Mining Bee is an important pollinator of early spring flowers, including dandelions, buttercups, and flowering trees. Its early emergence helps kick-start pollination at the beginning of the growing season.
Large nesting aggregations may look alarming, but they pose no threat to people and represent a healthy, functioning pollinator population.
FAQs
No. It is a gentle species and very unlikely to sting.
It is mainly active in early spring, typically from March to May.
No. It is common and widespread.
Females can sting, but stings are rare and usually only occur if the bee is handled.
How You Can Help
Supporting the Chocolate Mining Bee is straightforward:
🌿 Plant Bee-Friendly Flowers
- Dandelion, buttercup, willow, early spring wildflowers
🚫 Avoid Harmful Pesticides
- Avoid insecticides, especially in early spring
🏡 Provide Nesting Spaces
- Leave patches of short grass or bare soil undisturbed during spring
By allowing early flowers to bloom and leaving nesting areas intact, you help support the Chocolate Mining Bee and other spring-flying pollinators.
