Chemical-nest-lining

Guides

• Protandrena

  mining bees

  Protandrena is a genus of solitary mining bees in the family Andrenidae, containing 50–180 described species depending on taxonomic circumscription. Most species nest underground in sunny areas with sparse vegetation, constructing cells lined with a protective chemical 'wallpaper' that inhibits fungal and bacterial growth. The genus exhibits diverse social structures, with most species solitary but some forming nest aggregations and at least one species (P. evansi) exhibiting communal nesting. Activity is primarily from May to October in temperate regions, with some southern populations active earlier.

  mining-beesolitary-beecommunal-nestingmonolectickleptoparasitismunderground-nestchemical-nest-liningAndrenidaePanurginaespecialist-pollinatorgeneralist-pollinator