Andrena asteris

Robertson, 1891

Aster Mining Bee, aster miner bee

Andrena asteris is a solitary mining in the , to North America. The is named for its documented association with Aster flowers, though specific ecological details remain limited. Like other Andrena species, it nests in soil and is active during spring and summer. The species has been recorded from Vermont and other parts of North America, with 793 observations documented on iNaturalist.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena asteris: /ænˈdriːnə ˈæstərɪs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar Andrena by its specific floral association with Aster and morphological characters typical of the . Detailed diagnostic features require examination.

Images

Habitat

Open areas with Aster flowers; nests in bare or sparsely vegetated soil typical of mining .

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from Vermont, United States.

Seasonality

Spring to summer activity period, coinciding with Aster bloom.

Diet

Pollen and nectar; specifically associated with Aster flowers.

Host Associations

  • Aster - forage name reflects documented floral association.

Life Cycle

Solitary with typical mining bee : females excavate underground nests, provision with pollen and nectar, lay , and develop independently. Males typically emerge before females.

Ecological Role

of Aster flowers; contributes to spring and summer services in open .

Similar Taxa

  • AndrenaLarge with many morphologically similar ; requires identification to distinguish A. asteris from .

Tags

Sources and further reading