Andrena ziziae

Robertson, 1891

Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee, Golden Alexanders Miner Bee

Andrena ziziae is a solitary mining bee in the Andrenidae, commonly known as the Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the large Andrena, which comprises over 1,500 of ground-nesting bees. The species is named for its association with golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), a spring-blooming wildflower in the carrot family. Like other Andrena species, it is a solitary that nests in burrows excavated in soil and plays a role in early-season pollination.

Andrena ziziae, f, back, Iowa 2020-02-17-14.59.08 ZS PMax UDR (49828033041) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Andrena ziziae, f, face, Iowa 2020-02-17-15.03.22 ZS PMax UDR (49828347702) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.Andrena ziziae, M, Back, VA, Giles County 2014-01-31-13.26.57 ZS PMax (12542554185) by USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA. Used under a Public domain license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Andrena ziziae: /ænˈdriːnə ˈzɪzi.i/

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Distribution

North America; specifically recorded from Vermont, United States. The ' range within North America is not comprehensively documented in available sources.

Seasonality

Spring. The and association with golden alexanders (Zizia aurea), a spring-blooming plant, indicates activity during the spring flowering period.

Host Associations

  • Zizia aurea - pollen sourceThe is named for its association with golden alexanders, a spring-blooming wildflower in the carrot (Apiaceae), indicating likely pollen collection from this plant.

Ecological Role

. As a mining bee active in spring, it likely contributes to pollination of early-blooming wildflowers, including its namesake plant Zizia aurea.

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Sources and further reading