Megandrena
Cockerell, 1927
encelia megandrena
Megandrena is a of mining in the . The genus was established by Cockerell in 1927. It contains at least two described : Megandrena enceliae and Megandrena mentzeliae. These bees are solitary ground-nesting bees characteristic of the Andrenidae family.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Megandrena: /ˌmɛɡænˈdrɛnə/
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Identification
Megandrena can be distinguished from other by their large size relative to other andrenid , as suggested by the name (Mega- meaning large). Specific identification features for the genus are not well documented in available sources. The two described species, M. enceliae and M. mentzeliae, would require examination of morphological details for species-level identification.
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Distribution
North America. Megandrena enceliae and M. mentzeliae are found in arid and semi-arid regions of western North America, with M. enceliae associated with desert environments where its Encelia grows.
Host Associations
- Encelia - Megandrena enceliae is associated with and likely oligolectic on Encelia (brittlebush), a of flowering plants in the sunflower to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
- Mentzelia - Megandrena mentzeliae is named after and presumably associated with Mentzelia (blazingstars or stickleafs), a of flowering plants in the Loasaceae.
Life Cycle
As members of , Megandrena have a solitary typical of mining : females excavate underground nests in soil, provision with pollen and nectar, and lay . develop within the , pupate, and emerge as . Specific details for Megandrena are not documented.
Ecological Role
As of Encelia and Mentzelia, Megandrena likely play a role in the of these desert . Their specialized associations suggest they may be important for maintaining plant in arid .
Similar Taxa
- AndrenaAndrena is the largest in and shares the general mining and . Megandrena is distinguished by larger body size and more specialized associations.
- PanurginusAnother of small mining in . Megandrena are larger and have different preferences.
More Details
Nomenclature
The name Megandrena combines Greek 'mega' (large) with 'Andrena', the genus of the , referring to the relatively large size of these compared to typical Andrena .
Species associations
Both described have specific epithets derived from their associated : enceliae from Encelia and mentzeliae from Mentzelia, indicating likely oligolectic (specialized) pollen-foraging .