Andrena regularis

Malloch, 1917

Regular Mining Bee, Regular Miner

Andrena regularis is a ground-nesting solitary mining bee native to North America. It is known to form large nesting , as documented at East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, where it was the in a study collecting 3,251 individuals across 16 , fly, and . The species exhibits a 41-day period from late March through mid-May, with distinct timing of male and female emergence. It serves as a for the Nomada imbricata. Cemeteries may function as important refugia for this and other ground-nesting bee .

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena regularis: /ænˈdrɛnə ˌrɛɡjʊˈlɛərɪs/

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Habitat

Ground-nesting; documented nesting in cemetery with bare soil suitable for excavation. The requires open, well-drained ground for tunnel construction and larval development. Cemeteries with maintained bare ground patches may serve as refugia when natural disturbance regimes are lacking.

Distribution

North America; specifically documented in Ithaca, New York, USA and Vermont, USA.

Seasonality

Active from late March through mid-May; 41-day period documented with males and females emerging at distinct times.

Host Associations

  • Nomada imbricata - Most abundant in studied ; kleptoparasitic cuckoo bee that lays in nest

Life Cycle

Solitary ground-nesting that excavates tunnels in soil, provisions nest with pollen and nectar, and seals cells before laying . Larvae develop in dry, warm underground conditions. occurs over extended period with sex-biased timing.

Behavior

Forms large nesting with many individuals nesting in close proximity. Exhibits dynamics with distinct for male and female emergence.

Ecological Role

; in local where it occurs. Contributes to spring pollination services in its .

Human Relevance

Cemeteries documented as important refugia for ground-nesting , including A. regularis, suggesting potential for urban and managed green spaces to support conservation.

Similar Taxa

  • Andrena carliniBoth are ground-nesting mining bees in the subgenus Melandrena with overlapping preferences; distinguished by morphological and phenological differences
  • Other Andrena speciesMany Andrena share ground-nesting and spring timing; precise identification requires examination of morphological details such as facial foveae, scopal hairs, and genitalia

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Sources and further reading