Photography by Ed Phillips
Still-life and Wildlife Images

Andrena bucephala

Andrena bucephala is a scarce, medium-sized mining bee, found mostly in southern England. The flight period is April to May. The females share a common nest entrance but it is assumed that they prepare separate nests within the burrow. The males have a a particularly large head. Nests are parasitised by the rare cuckoo bee Nomada hirtipes. The author is fortunate to have a colony supporting both species near his home in Warwickshire.
Andrena bucephala is a scarce, medium-sized mining bee, found mostly in southern England. The flight period is April to May. The females share a common nest entrance but it is assumed that they prepare separate nests within the burrow. The males have a a particularly large head. Nests are parasitised by the rare cuckoo bee Nomada hirtipes. The author is fortunate to have a colony supporting both species near his home in Warwickshire.
Newly-emerged[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Newly-emergedAndrena bucephala female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Newly-emergedAndrena bucephala female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.
Newly-emerged[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Newly-emergedAndrena bucephala female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Newly-emergedAndrena bucephala female. At a known nesting site in Shropshire. April 2015.
[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] female emerging from a nest in an old grave. Warwickshire. May 2014.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Andrena bucephala female emerging from a nest in an old grave. Warwickshire. May 2014.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Andrena bucephala female emerging from a nest in an old grave. Warwickshire. May 2014.
[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2014. Note characteristically large head.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2014. Note characteristically large head.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2014. Note characteristically large head.
[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] female on a daisy flower. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Andrena bucephala female on a daisy flower. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Andrena bucephala female on a daisy flower. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014.
[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014. Note characteristically large head.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014. Note characteristically large head.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. April 2014. Note characteristically large head.
[i]Andrena bucephala[/i] male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2013. Note characteristically large head.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2013. Note characteristically large head.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2013. Note characteristically large head.
A scarce [i]Andrena bucephala[/i] male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically l…

Andrena bucephala (m)

A scarce Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically large head.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). A scarce Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically large head.
A scarce [i]Andrena bucephala[/i] male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically l…

Andrena bucephala (m)

A scarce Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically large head.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). A scarce Andrena bucephala male. At a known breeding site in Warwickshire. May 2012. Note characteristically large head.
A male coaxed from a dandelion ([i]Taraxacum officinale[/i]) flower and covered with pollen.

Andrena bucephala (m)

A male coaxed from a dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower and covered with pollen.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). A male coaxed from a dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) flower and covered with pollen.
Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Warwickshire, May 2012.
Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Warwickshire, May 2012.
Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Warwickshire, May 2012.
Male clambering up a grass stem. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (m)

Male clambering up a grass stem. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (m). Male clambering up a grass stem. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases.
A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female showing the characteristic "golden" colouration that spreads onto the wing bases. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A female with pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Warwickshire, May 2012.
Female with full pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.

Andrena bucephala (f)

Female with full pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). Female with full pollen load. Warwickshire, May 2012.
A group of Andrena bucephala females, Warwickshire, May 2012. I think these are newly-emerged individuals. This i…

Andrena bucephala (f)

A group of Andrena bucephala females, Warwickshire, May 2012. I think these are newly-emerged individuals. This is a view down into a broken grave plot. The nest is inside and the bees enter and leave...
Photo: Andrena bucephala (f). A group of Andrena bucephala females, Warwickshire, May 2012. I think these are newly-emerged individuals. This is a view down into a broken grave plot. The nest is inside and the...

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