Anthemurgus

Robertson, 1902

passionflower bee

Species Guides

Anthemurgus passiflorae(passion flower bee)

Anthemurgus is a subgenus within Protandrena ( Andrenidae) containing at least one confirmed , P. (Anthemurgus) passiflorae, commonly called the passionflower . This bee is notable for extreme -plant specialization (monolecty) on Passiflora lutea, the yellow passionflower. The subgenus has undergone repeated taxonomic revision, having been treated as a , a subgenus of Pseudopanurgus, and currently as a subgenus of Protandrena. A -level assembly has been completed for the sole species.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Anthemurgus: //ænˈθɛmʊrɡəs//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Bees in this subgenus are small (7.5–8.5 mm), black, and can be distinguished from other Protandrena by their specialized association with Passiflora lutea and unique pollen-collecting : females suspend themselves beneath anthers and scrape pollen with open , rarely contacting the stigma.

Distribution

Central Texas to North Carolina, north to Illinois; additional records from Vermont.

Host Associations

Passiflora lutea - Pollen Sole known pollen source; monolectic specialization. Females collect pollen by suspending under anthers and scraping with , a method that rarely results in stigma contact.

Behavior

Solitary nesting in ground with . Females construct nests and provision larvae with collected nectar and pollen. Foraging is highly specialized: pollen collection from P. lutea involves a unique inverted position beneath anthers that effectively prevents pollination.

Ecological Role

Minimal contribution to pollination of its plant due to foraging mechanics that avoid stigma contact. Ecological function appears primarily as pollen consumer rather than mutualistic .

Human Relevance

Subject of genomic research (Beenome100 project); -level assembly (249 Mb, 12 chromosomes) provides resource for studying -plant specialization and conservation.

Similar Taxa

Other Protandrena subgeneraLack extreme specialization on Passiflora; do not exhibit the unique inverted pollen-collecting posture.
Generalist AndrenidaePolylectic pollen foraging habits versus monolecty on single Passiflora .

More Details

Taxonomic instability

Anthemurgus has been treated as a , a subgenus of Pseudopanurgus, and currently as a subgenus of Protandrena. Catalogue of Life lists it as a synonym of Pseudopanurgus, while NCBI and recent genomic literature recognize it as a subgenus of Protandrena.

Genomic resources

-level assembly published 2025: 249 Mb nuclear genome, 12 chromosomes, 97.2% BUSCO completeness, 12,098 genes annotated. One of few available Andrenidae genomes and among first monolectic genomes.