Andrena pruni

Robertson, 1891

Cherry Mining Bee, cherry miner

Andrena pruni is a solitary mining bee in the Andrenidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the Cherry Mining Bee or cherry miner. Like other members of the Andrena, it nests in the ground and is an important . The specific epithet 'pruni' suggests a likely association with Prunus (cherry/plum) as a pollen or nectar source, though this relationship requires confirmation.

Andrena pruni, m, back, Frederick Co., MD 2017-03-09-12.53 (35789421803) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Andrena pruni, m, side, Frederick Co., MD 2017-03-09-13.23 (35789418663) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Andrena pruni, m, front, Frederick Co., MD 2017-03-09-13.03 (36430276652) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena pruni: /ænˈdriːnə ˈpruːnaɪ/

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Images

Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from Vermont, United States.

Host Associations

Prunus - likely pollen/nectar sourceSpecific epithet 'pruni' suggests association, but not confirmed in provided sources. Specific plant relationships for this are not documented in available literature.

Similar Taxa

Andrena carliniBoth are North American mining bees in the same , similar in general appearance and ground-nesting . A. carlini is specifically associated with Amelanchier (serviceberry) flowers and has been documented as prey for crab spiders.
Andrena barbilabrisBoth are ground-nesting Andrena . A. barbilabris is known as the Sandpit Mining Bee due to its preference for sandy soils, and has been suggested as a potential for parasitic flies.

More Details

Taxonomic note

Described by Robertson in 1891. The name 'pruni' derives from Latin Prunus (plum/cherry), indicating the likely original collector's observation of the on these flowers, though this does not constitute confirmed ecological documentation.

Data gaps

No published studies specifically addressing the , , or conservation status of A. pruni were found in the provided sources. Most available information is derived from taxonomic databases rather than ecological research.