Andrenid Bee – Subgenus Melandrena

Andrena is the largest genus in the family Andrenidae, and is nearly worldwide in distribution, with the notable exception of Oceania. With over 1,300 species, it is one of the largest of all bee genera. This little girl is nectaring on plum blossoms.

Andrenidae Queen is a solitary bee. Andrenid drones can mate with multiple females. Andrena barbarilis

Andrenid bees emerge from the underground cells where their pupae spend the winter, when the temperature ranges from about 20°C to 30°C. They mate, and the females then seek sites for their nest burrows, where they construct small cells containing a ball of pollen mixed with nectar, upon which an egg is laid, before each cell is sealed. Andrena usually prefer sandy soils for a nesting substrate, near or under shrubs to be protected from heat and frost.

Order Hymenoptera: Bees, Wasps, & Ants: Hymenoptera (Latin for membrane wing) is a vast assemblage of insects second only to Coleoptera (beetles) in the number of described species. Hymenoptera number some 115,000 species – of which 18,000 live in North America.

Bees & Wasps Index | Stinging Hymenoptera