Ancylandrena

Ancylandrena species can be distinguished from other Andrenidae genera by subtle morphological characters including details of the facial foveae, scopal hairs, and male genitalia. The genus is relatively small and understudied, making field identification to species challenging without expert examination.

Associated with arid and semi-arid regions of western North America. Ancylandrena larreae is specifically tied to creosote bush scrub habitats dominated by Larrea tridentata.

Western North America, including the southwestern United States and adjacent regions of Mexico. The genus has been recorded in states such as California, Arizona, Nevada, and Texas.

• Larrea tridentata - floral hostAncylandrena larreae is strongly associated with creosote bush, from which it derives its common name

As mining bees, females excavate burrows in soil for nesting. The genus exhibits solitary nesting behavior typical of Andrenidae.

Pollinators of desert flora, with at least one species (A. larreae) serving as a specialist pollinator of creosote bush.

• AndrenaLarger and more diverse genus of mining bees; Ancylandrena was historically included within Andrena before being recognized as distinct based on morphological differences
• PanurginusAnother small genus of Andrenidae with similar size and general appearance; distinguished by different facial foveae structure and male genitalia morphology

• mining bees
• Andrenidae
• solitary bees
• desert bees
• ground-nesting
• North American endemics

• BugGuide
• Wikipedia
• GBIF taxonomy match
• iNaturalist taxon
• NCBI Taxonomy
• Catalogue of Life