Following in the footsteps of the Tawny Mining Bee, which was rediscovered in Ireland in 2012, another bee feared extinct has been found after 46 years. The Perkins’ Mining Bee (Andrena rosae) which was last seen in 1977, was found by our Research Officer Owen Beckett whilst surveying in Co. Carlow. A female was seen entering her nest close to the river Barrow on the 6th April 2023.
The Perkins’ Mining Bee is one Ireland’s 80 solitary bee species, meaning that it nests singly and does not form colonies like bumblebees do. It is also one of 26 mining bees which construct their nests underground. The females are slightly smaller than a Honey Bee in size, with a predominantly black body and sparse brown hairs on their thorax. The most distinctive identification feature is the bright red band on the abdomen, which none of our other mining bees possess. The males have a similar colour pattern, but are smaller and slimmer in size and shape.
This species has only ever been found in Co. Carlow in Ireland and from just four different sites, so it has always been scarce here. Since it had not been seen since 1977, it was feared to have disappeared from Ireland and was classed as Regionally Extinct. It is also very scarce in Britain, with the only recent sightings coming from Cornwall and southwest Wales.
It flies in two generation per year, the first from late March until late May and the second from early July until late August. The first generation is fond of visiting flowers of Blackthorn and willows in particular, whilst the second generation forages mainly on umbellifers such as Hogweed and Angelica. Because it is so rare, it is difficult to determine its ideal habitat, but it appears to like semi-natural areas of woodland edge and scrub where its preferred nectar and pollen sources are abundant.
Despite the exciting rediscovery of this species, many other bees are declining in Ireland and a third of our wild bee species are at risk of extinction. To help combat this problem, the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan was set up in 2015. The plan contains a range of measures which you can take to help conserve pollinators in your local area. You can find out more and get involved here: https://pollinators.ie
Although it is very rare, its rediscovery indicates that the Perkins’ Mining Bee is still here and may be found elsewhere. Keep an eye on Backthorn and willow blossom during the spring and on Hogweed and Angelica flowers during the summer, especially if you are in Co. Carlow or neighbouring counties. If you think you’ve spotted it, remember to take a photograph and submit your record to the National Biodiversity Data Centre: https://records.biodiversityireland.ie/record/solitary-bees
