Andrenidae

Definition

A large, nearly cosmopolitan family of solitary, ground-nesting bees in the superfamily Apoidea (order Hymenoptera). Most diverse in temperate and arid regions, with many species excavating burrows in soil or sand. The family includes the subfamilies Andreninae (typical mining bees), Panurginae, Alocandreninae, and Oxaeinae; the latter was historically treated as a separate family due to its divergent morphology but is now recognized as nested within Andrenidae based on phylogenetic analysis. Adults are typically hairy, often with velvety patches (foveae) on the face for carrying pollen, and lack the corbiculae (pollen baskets) of honey bees and bumblebees.

Etymology

From genus Andrena (Greek aner, andros 'man, male' + -ena, diminutive suffix) + family suffix -idae

Example

Andrena fulva, the tawny mining bee, is a widespread European Andrenidae that nests in lawns and garden soil, with females creating individual burrows provisioned with pollen for their larvae.

Synonyms

• mining bees
• digger bees

Related Terms

• Apoidea
• Andrena
• solitary bee
• ground-nesting
• Oxaeinae
• corbicula
• scopa
• bee burrow
• Hymenoptera

Usage Notes

The family is distinguished from Apidae (honey bees, bumblebees, carpenter bees) by the absence of corbiculae and by generally solitary rather than social behavior. The common name 'mining bees' refers to their nesting habit, not to any association with mineral extraction. Oxaeinae, despite their unusual elongated mouthparts and wasp-like appearance, are definitively placed within Andrenidae based on molecular and morphological phylogenetics.