Mining Bee
A large group of solitary bees that nest in the ground, excavating small burrows in bare or sparsely vegetated soil. Active from early spring through summer.
Why you want them
Mining bees are some of the most species-rich native bee groups and collectively pollinate a wide range of spring and summer flowers, fruit trees, and vegetables. They are ground-nesting, which means they need bare or sparsely vegetated areas of soil that many gardens inadvertently eliminate with mulch, paving, or dense ground cover. Leaving small patches of exposed, south-facing soil is one of the most effective ways to support them.
How to attract them
- Dandelion
- Willow catkins
- Cherry blossom
- Hawthorn
- Buttercup
- Clover
- Vetch
Preferred habitat
Sunny, south-facing banks and patches of bare or sparsely vegetated soil. They excavate small entrance tunnels leading to underground brood cells. Often nest in aggregations.
What harms them
Paving over bare soil, thick mulch layers, pesticide use, and the loss of diverse flowering meadow habitat.
Garden, by Willowbottom works with nature, not against it. Support your garden allies and they will do most of the hard work for you.