Andrena mentzeliae

Cockerell, 1897

Blazingstar Andrena

Andrena mentzeliae is a solitary mining bee in the Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. It is native to North America and is commonly known as the Blazingstar Andrena, indicating a likely association with plants in the Mentzelia (blazingstars). As with other Andrena , it is a ground-nesting that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen for its larvae.

Andrena mentzeliae by the Smithsonian. Used under a CC0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena mentzeliae: /ænˈdriːnə mɛnˈtseli.aɪ/

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Distribution

North America. Specific distribution details beyond this continental range are not well documented in available sources.

Host Associations

Mentzelia - likely pollen/nectar sourceThe specific epithet 'mentzeliae' and 'Blazingstar Andrena' suggest a strong association with blazingstar plants ( Mentzelia), though the exact nature of this relationship requires confirmation.

Behavior

As a member of the Andrena, this exhibits the typical mining bee of excavating underground tunnels for nesting. Females provision nest with pollen and nectar before laying .

More Details

Taxonomic Note

The was described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1897. The specific epithet 'mentzeliae' follows the standard Latinized form for species named after a plant , suggesting this may be an oligolectic () of Mentzelia species, though this has not been definitively documented in the provided sources.

Data Limitations

Available sources provide minimal ecological detail for this . The Wikipedia entry is extremely brief, and no detailed studies of A. mentzeliae , , or conservation status were found in the provided context. Most information must be inferred from general knowledge of the Andrena.