A distinctive Andrena species with a bluish-black cuticle and ash-grey hairs on the thorax and propodeum. Identification keys and general biology are given in Perkins (1919), Dylewska (1987), Schmid-Egger & Scheuchl (1997) and Else (in prep.).

This small Nomada was only recognised as British in 1944 (Spooner 1946) but had been found much earlier, in 1878, by C.W. Dale, although he failed to recognise the species. It is one of our most localised bee species, but has not been seen since 1982, despite several recent searches.

Keys and general biology are found in Sladen (1912), Free & Butler (1959), Alford (1975) and Prŷs-Jones & Corbet (1991). This species is very closely related to Bombus muscorum but is more southerly in its distribution. B. humilis has undergone a major decline in its distribution, with most remaining populations being on extensive, although sometimes narrow, areas of coastal grasslands. This decline seems to be closely linked to the intensification of farming.

A small, rather unobtrusive bee, the female largely black, the male with the clypeus and lower paraocular areas mainly yellow.

Keys and general biology are found in Sladen (1912), Free & Butler (1959), Alford (1975) and Prŷs-Jones & Corbet (1991). This species is very closely related to the more northerly distributed B. distinguendus and males of the two species can be extremely hard to separate. In Scandinavia it is strongly associated with red clover (Løken 1973). Sladen (1912) also comments upon its close association with this plant.

One of the larger halictine bees of the British Isles, the male has a distinctive blood-red tip to the abdomen. Identification keys and general information are given in Perkins, R C L (1922).

This species is commonly listed under the name Nomada xanthosticta (Kirby, 1802) in the British literature (the species name is now treated as a junior synonym of Nomada ferruginata (Linnaeus, 1767)).