Andrena helianthi

Robertson, 1891

Sunflower Mining Bee, Sunflower Andrena

Andrena helianthi is a solitary mining bee in the Andrenidae, commonly known as the Sunflower Mining Bee or Sunflower Andrena. It is native to North America and belongs to the large Andrena, which contains over 1,500 of ground-nesting bees. As a member of this genus, it likely exhibits typical Andrena including nesting in soil and provisioning of nest with pollen. The specific epithet 'helianthi' suggests a possible association with sunflowers (Helianthus), though this relationship requires confirmation.

Andrena helianthi by (c) USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Andrena helianthi by (c) USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.Andrena helianthi by (c) USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab, some rights reserved (CC BY). Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena helianthi: //ænˈdriː.nə hiˈlaɪˌæn.θaɪ//

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Distribution

North America. Records include the United States, with specific observations from Vermont.

Host Associations

  • Helianthus - possibleSpecific epithet 'helianthi' suggests potential association with sunflower , but this requires verification

More Details

Taxonomic note

Described by Robertson in 1891. The specific epithet derives from Helianthus, the sunflower , though the precise nature of this association (whether as a pollen or other relationship) is not documented in available sources.

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Sources and further reading