Phil Savoie / Yellow legged mining bee (Andrena flavipes) female at nest burrow, River Monnow, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK, April.

Phil Savoie / Mining bee (Andrena sp.), harvesting pollen from anthers of Cherry tree (Prunus sp.) Ripon Wisconsin USA, May.

Phil Savoie / Grey patched mining bee (Andrena nitida),male feeding rambling rose flower (Rosa sp) Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. April

Phil Savoie / Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida) feeding on Dandelion (Taraxacum offinicale) Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. April

Pascal Pittorino / Mining bee (Andrena) male and female mating on flower, Var, Provence, France, April.

Ammonite / Mining bee (Andrena apicata) flying and feeding from Sallow (Salix caprea) catkins, with pollen sacs on hind legs, France, March.

Ammonite / Two male Mining bees (Andrena praecox) trying to reach a female bee in a hole, France, March.

Ammonite / Two male Mining bees (Andrena praecox) attacking a third male bee emerging from a hole with orchid pollinia attached, France, March.

Ammonite / Pair of Mining bees (Andrena praecox) mating, interupted by a second male, France, March.

Andy Sands / Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella) on Sallow catkin, Hertfordshire, England, UK, March

Andy Sands / Mining Bee (Andrena clarkella) on Sallow catkin, Hertfordshire, England, UK, March

Nigel Cattlin / Tawny mining bee (Andrena fulva) female resting on Medlar (Mespilus germanica) leaf. Berkshire, England, UK. April.