mining bee

noun

1. a solitary bee of the genera Andrena and Halictus, which sometimes resemble honey bees

Word History and Origins

Origin of mining bee¹

named from their burrowing habits

Example Sentences

Hidden in the remnants of its egg-casings, the brood of minute things had waited near the opening of the mining-bee tunnel.

From Project Gutenberg

It happily consumes those provisions and, in time, an oil-beetle crawls out of the tunnel a mining-bee so laboriously prepared.

From Project Gutenberg

Then Burl heard a shout from the direction of the mining-bee caves, and hastened toward the sound.

From Project Gutenberg

One species of mining-bee, not often found in England, chooses some very singular insects wherewith to feed its young.

From Project Gutenberg