Andrenidae
Guides
Andrena submoesta
Submoesta Mining Bee
Andrena submoesta is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, described by Viereck in 1917. As a solitary bee, it excavates underground tunnels for nesting. The species is recorded from North America, though specific details about its ecology and distribution within that range remain limited. Like other Andrena species, it likely contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers.
Andrena transnigra
Black-banded Mining Bee, Black-banded Miner Bee
Andrena transnigra is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Black-banded Mining Bee. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it shares the typical characteristics of mining bees, including fossorial nesting habits and solitary lifestyle without colonial social structure.
Andrena vicina
Neighbouring miner bee, Neighborly Mining Bee
Andrena vicina is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the neighbourly miner or neighborly mining bee. It is native to North America and exhibits the typical ground-nesting behavior of the genus Andrena, excavating tunnels in soil to provision brood cells with pollen and nectar. Like other Andrena species, it is an important spring pollinator, though specific ecological details for this species remain limited in published literature.
Andrena violae
Violet Miner
Andrena violae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Robertson in 1891. It is native to North America with confirmed records from Vermont and surrounding regions. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the fossorial nesting behavior typical of the group, excavating underground tunnels in which to rear its young. The species is known to forage on violet (Viola) species, as indicated by its specific epithet.
Andrena vulpicolor
Andrena vulpicolor is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1897. It belongs to the large genus Andrena, which contains over 250 species of solitary, ground-nesting bees. Like other members of this genus, it is a solitary bee that nests in soil and provisions its young with pollen. The species is native to North America.
Andrena ziziae
Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee, Golden Alexanders Miner Bee
Andrena ziziae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Golden-Alexanders Mining Bee. It is native to North America and belongs to the large genus Andrena, which comprises over 1,500 species 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 bee that nests in burrows excavated in soil and plays a role in early-season pollination.
Anthemurgus passiflorae
passion flower bee
A small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, Anthemurgus passiflorae is a monolectic specialist that forages exclusively on yellow passionflower (Passiflora lutea). It is one of the few andrenid bees with a published chromosome-level genome assembly, making it valuable for studying the genomic basis of host-plant specialization and pollinator conservation.
Calliopsis
mining bees, panurgine bees
Calliopsis is a genus of solitary mining bees in the family Andrenidae, comprising over 80 described species distributed throughout the western hemisphere. These small to medium-sized bees are ground-nesting, with females excavating burrows in sandy or loose soils. The genus includes both polylectic and oligolectic species, with some showing tight specialization to particular pollen hosts such as Prosopis. Several species have been studied in detail for their nesting biology, foraging behavior, and host-parasite relationships with cleptoparasitic bees.
Calliopsis andreniformis
Eastern Miner Bee
Calliopsis andreniformis, commonly known as the eastern miner bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America and has been documented as a specialist pollinator of plants in the family Fabaceae. The species belongs to a genus of small mining bees that typically nest in sandy or bare soils. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows and provision cells with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis anomoptera
Strange-winged Calliopsis
Calliopsis anomoptera is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Michener in 1942. The common name 'Strange-winged Calliopsis' refers to distinctive wing characteristics. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee. The species occurs in both Central America and North America.
Calliopsis barbata
Calliopsis barbata is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Timberlake in 1952. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly found in open, sandy habitats. The species occurs in Central America and North America, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in published literature.
Calliopsis coloradensis
Colorado Calliopsis Bee
A small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to western North America. Females are solitary ground-nesters that provision burrows with pollen and nectar for their offspring. Males are often observed flying low over nesting aggregations in search of mates. The species is associated with sandy soils in prairie and open habitats.
Calliopsis filiorum
Calliopsis filiorum is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1963. The species belongs to the genus Calliopsis, a group of small to medium-sized ground-nesting bees. Like other members of Andrenidae, females construct solitary burrows in soil. The specific epithet "filiorum" (Latin for "of the daughters") presumably references an aspect of the species' biology or discovery context.
Calliopsis fracta
Calliopsis fracta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, originally described as Nomadopsis fracta by Rozen in 1952. It belongs to the tribe Calliopsini within the subfamily Panurginae. The species is native to North America and is part of a diverse genus of solitary bees that nest in the ground.
Calliopsis helianthi
Calliopsis helianthi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, this species nests in the ground and is solitary, with each female constructing and provisioning her own nest burrow.
Calliopsis linsleyi
Calliopsis linsleyi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Rozen in 1958. The species is known from both Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil. Information on this species is limited, with only a few observations recorded.
Calliopsis obscurella
Calliopsis obscurella is a small mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cresson in 1879. It occurs in Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary ground-nesting bee. Specific details about its biology and ecology remain poorly documented.
Calliopsis puellae
desert-dandelion nomadopsis
Calliopsis puellae is a mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the desert-dandelion nomadopsis. The species was described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1933, originally placed in the genus Spinoliella. Its type specimen was collected by Wilmatte Porter Cockerell and her great-niece Lelah Milene Porter in Colorado, and is housed at Harvard University's Museum of Comparative Zoology. The species is found in Central America and North America.
Calliopsis pugionis
Pugnosed Miner Bee
Calliopsis pugionis is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1925. It is found in North America, where it excavates burrows in sandy soil. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism with females larger than males, and has a female-biased investment sex ratio consistent with local mate competition theory. It serves as the host for the cleptoparasitic bee Holcopasites ruthae.
Calliopsis rhodophila
Calliopsis rhodophila is a mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. The species occurs in Central and North America, where it nests in sandy soils. Like other members of the genus, it is solitary and ground-nesting. Observations of related Calliopsis species suggest males are notably larger than typical for the genus and exhibit hovering flight behavior near female nesting sites.
Calliopsis scitula
Charming Miner Bee
Calliopsis scitula is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the charming miner bee. The species occurs across Central America and North America. Two subspecies are recognized: C. s. scitula and C. s. lawae. Like other members of the genus Calliopsis, it is a small mining bee that constructs burrows in soil.
Calliopsis scutellaris
Calliopsis scutellaris is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Fowler in 1899. The species occurs in Central America and North America. It belongs to a genus of small to very small bees that typically nest in sandy soils.
Calliopsis subalpina
Calliopsis subalpina is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1894. As a member of the genus Calliopsis, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized solitary bees that nest in the ground. The species occurs in Central America and North America, with records spanning from middle to high elevations. Like other Andrenidae, females construct individual burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their offspring.
Calliopsis zebrata bobbae
A subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, known from sandy soils in Colorado and adjacent regions. Males are notably larger than typical for the genus Calliopsis and exhibit distinctive flight behavior, hovering persistently over nesting sites. The subspecies was described by Rozen in 1958 and is part of the diverse native bee fauna of western North America.
Calliopsis zonalis
Calliopsis zonalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cresson in 1879. It is native to North America and belongs to a genus of small, ground-nesting bees. Two subspecies are recognized: C. z. zonalis and C. z. sierrae. The species is poorly documented in published literature, with limited observational records available.
Macrotera
Goblin Bees
Macrotera is a genus of mining bees (Andrenidae) native to North America, with approximately 30 species. These bees range from 2.0 to 16.0 mm in body length and are predominantly found in desert regions of the United States and Mexico. The genus was segregated from Perdita by C.D. Michener in 2000. Most species exhibit extreme pollen specialization (oligolecty), with documented associations to Sphaeralcea and Cactaceae.
Macrotera echinocacti
barrel cactus macrotera, barrel cactus goblin bee
Macrotera echinocacti is a small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the barrel cactus goblin bee. The species was described by Timberlake in 1954 under the basionym Perdita echinocacti. It is known from Central America and North America, with extremely limited observational records.
Oxaeinae
Oxaeinae is a subfamily of large, fast-flying bees within the family Andrenidae. They are endemic to the Americas, with 19 described species across four genera ranging from the United States to Argentina. Formerly treated as a distinct family (Oxaeidae), they were reclassified as a subfamily in 1995.
Panurginus occidentalis
Panurginus occidentalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Crawford in 1916. The species belongs to the subfamily Panurginae, a group of solitary bees that typically nest in soil. It is native to North America.
Perdita bicuspidariae
Perdita bicuspidariae is a small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1962. It belongs to the large genus Perdita, which comprises over 800 species of mining bees in North America. The species is found in Central America and North America. As with other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a ground-nesting solitary bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Perdita cladothricis
Perdita cladothricis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1896. It belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains hundreds of small, often specialist pollinator species native to North America. The species is recorded from Central America and North America. Like other members of its genus, it is presumed to be a solitary, ground-nesting bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Perdita claypolei
Perdita claypolei is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1901. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises small, solitary bees commonly known as miner bees. The genus Perdita includes some of the smallest bees in North America, with species ranging from approximately 2 mm to over 10 mm in length. Perdita species are typically specialist pollinators, often associated with specific host plants.
Perdita coreopsidis
Coreopsis Fairy Bee, tickseed perdita
Perdita coreopsidis is a small solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Coreopsis Fairy Bee or tickseed perdita. The species was described by Cockerell in 1906 and belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains hundreds of North American species. Four subspecies are recognized, indicating geographic variation across its range. The specific epithet "coreopsidis" suggests a likely association with Coreopsis (tickseed) plants, though this relationship requires confirmation.
Perdita ericameriae
Perdita ericameriae is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1958. The species epithet "ericameriae" suggests a host-plant association with Ericameria, a genus of shrubs in the sunflower family. Like other Perdita species, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. The genus Perdita comprises some of the smallest bees in North America, with many species showing strong floral specialization.
Perdita fallugiae
Apache Plume Fairy Bee
Perdita fallugiae is a small solitary bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Apache Plume Fairy Bee. The species was described by Timberlake in 1956. It is found in North America and is associated with Apache plume (Fallugia paradoxa), a flowering shrub native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is likely a specialist pollinator with a narrow host-plant range.
Perdita genalis
Perdita genalis is a small, solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises numerous diminutive bees often specialized in their foraging habits. Members of this genus are among the smallest bees in North America. The species has been documented in Middle America and North America.
Perdita genalis genalis
Perdita genalis genalis is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. The genus Perdita comprises small, solitary bees that nest in soil. Members of this genus are among the smallest bees in North America. This subspecies belongs to a diverse group of native bees that play important roles as pollinators.
Perdita gerhardi
Bee Balm Fairy Bee
Perdita gerhardi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Viereck in 1904. It is native to North America and is commonly known as the Bee Balm Fairy Bee. The species is part of the large genus Perdita, which contains some of the smallest bees in North America. Three subspecies are recognized: P. g. dallasiana, P. g. gerhardi, and P. g. monardae.
Perdita heliotropii
Heliotrope Fairy Bee
Perdita heliotropii is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1900. The common name "Heliotrope Fairy Bee" reflects its association with heliotrope plants. As a member of the genus Perdita, it belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary bees native to North America. The species epithet "heliotropii" indicates a likely host-plant specialization on Heliotropium species.
Perdita hippolyta
Perdita hippolyta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Portman and Griswold in 2016. Like other members of the genus Perdita, it is a solitary bee. The genus Perdita is known for containing some of the smallest bees in North America, with many species exhibiting extreme host-plant specialization. As a recently described species, detailed natural history information remains limited.
Perdita hooki
Perdita hooki is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Portman & Neff in 2016. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is a small, solitary bee that nests in the ground. The species is found in Middle America and North America. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations have not been documented.
Perdita kiowi
Perdita kiowi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Griswold in 1988. The genus Perdita comprises small, solitary bees that nest in the ground. This species is found in North America. Like other members of the genus, it is presumed to be a solitary pollinator, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Perdita koebelei concinna
Perdita koebelei concinna is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is a small, solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within P. koebelei, though specific distinguishing characteristics have not been widely documented in available literature.
Perdita koebelei koebelei
Perdita koebelei koebelei is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1964. Like other members of the genus Perdita, this subspecies belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary, ground-nesting bees native to North America. The genus Perdita contains approximately 800 species, many of which are specialist pollinators with narrow host-plant associations.
Perdita larreae
Perdita larreae is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1896. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises small, often brightly colored solitary bees commonly known as fairy bees or yellow-faced bees. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As with other members of the genus, it is presumed to be a solitary ground-nesting bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Perdita marcialis
Perdita marcialis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Theodore Dru Alison Cockerell in 1896. The genus Perdita comprises small, solitary bees, with P. marcialis being among the more diminutive members. The species is documented from Central America and North America. As with other Perdita species, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented.
Perdita pelargoides
Perdita pelargoides is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1916. It is native to North America. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is likely a small, solitary bee, though specific details about its biology remain poorly documented in available sources.
Perdita perpallida
pale miner bee, All-pale Perdita
Perdita perpallida is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. The species is distinguished by its notably pale yellow to white coloration, which sets it apart from most other Perdita species that typically exhibit darker or more contrasting patterns. Formerly divided into two subspecies, the taxon was revised in 2023 when Perdita perpallida citrinella was synonymized with the nominate form after being recognized as intraspecific color variation. The species belongs to a large genus of small bees that are important but often overlooked pollinators.
Perdita sexmaculata
Six-Spotted Fairy Bee, six-spotted perdita
Perdita sexmaculata is a small, solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Six-Spotted Fairy Bee. The species was described by Cockerell in 1895 and is distributed across Central America and North America. It belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains some of the smallest bee species in North America. Two subspecies are recognized: P. s. sexmaculata and P. s. octonaria.
Perdita sexmaculata sexmaculata
Perdita sexmaculata sexmaculata is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1895. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises small, solitary bees native to North America. Members of this genus are among the smallest bees in North America, with many species measuring only a few millimeters in length. The subspecies designation indicates geographic or morphological variation within the species P. sexmaculata.