Ground-nesting
Guides
Andrena mariae
Maria Miner Bee
Andrena mariae, the Maria Miner Bee, is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the large genus Andrena, which comprises over 1,400 species of ground-nesting bees. Like other Andrena species, it is a solitary bee that excavates tunnels in soil to create nests for its offspring. The species was described by Robertson in 1891.
Andrena melliventris
Honey-bellied Andrena, Honey-tailed Miner
Andrena melliventris, commonly known as the honey-bellied andrena or honey-tailed miner, is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee found in North America and Central America. As with other Andrena species, it excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The species was described by Cresson in 1872.
Andrena mentzeliae
Blazingstar Andrena
Andrena mentzeliae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1897. It is native to North America and is commonly known as the Blazingstar Andrena, indicating a likely association with plants in the genus Mentzelia (blazingstars). As with other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen for its larvae.
Andrena mesillae
Andrena mesillae is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. As with other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The species occurs in North America and Middle America. Like most Andrena, it likely plays a role in spring pollination of wildflowers in its habitat.
Andrena milwaukeensis
Milwaukee Mining Bee, Milwaukee Andrena
Andrena milwaukeensis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. It is a ground-nesting species that has been documented as the primary host for the parasitic strepsipteran Stylops advarians in Saskatchewan, Canada. Research on this host-parasite relationship has revealed significant anatomical and behavioral impacts of parasitism on female bees.
Andrena miserabilis
Miserable Mining Bee, Miserable Andrena
Andrena miserabilis, commonly known as the Miserable Mining Bee, is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. The species was described by Cresson in 1872 and occurs in Central America and North America. As with other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting solitary bee that plays a role in pollination.
Andrena nigripes
big-headed andrena, Black-legged Miner
Andrena nigripes is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the big-headed andrena or Black-legged Miner. The species is characterized by its relatively large head compared to body size, a trait reflected in its common name. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical ground-nesting behavior of mining bees, excavating tunnels in soil to provision individual brood cells. It is native to North America.
Andrena nivalis
Snowy Mining Bee, Snow Miner Bee
Andrena nivalis, commonly known as the snowy mining bee or snow miner bee, is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America and is active in early spring. Like other Andrena species, it nests in the ground and provisions its brood cells with pollen and nectar.
Andrena nubecula
Cloudy-winged Mining Bee, Cloudy-winged Miner Bee
Andrena nubecula is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is distributed across Central America and North America. The species is a solitary ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it contributes to pollination services in its range.
Andrena olivacea
Olivaceous Mining Bee
Andrena olivacea is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary bee that nests in the ground. The species was described by Viereck in 1917. Like other mining bees, it likely plays a role in pollination of spring-blooming plants.
Andrena palpalis
Blue-Phacelia Miner
Andrena palpalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1951. It is found in Central America and North America. The species is commonly known as the Blue-Phacelia Miner, suggesting an association with Phacelia species as a pollen or nectar source. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee.
Andrena perarmata
Large-toothed Miner, Armed Miner Bee, Well-armed Andrena
Andrena perarmata is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is known by multiple common names including Large-toothed Miner, Armed Miner Bee, and Well-armed Andrena. The species occurs in North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae.
Andrena pertristis
Mournful Mining Bee, Sad Miner Bee, Black Mournful Miner
Andrena pertristis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Mournful Mining Bee or Sad Miner Bee. It is native to North America. The species was described by Cockerell in 1905 and includes two recognized subspecies: Andrena pertristis pertristis and Andrena pertristis carliniformis.
Andrena pertristis carliniformis
Andrena pertristis carliniformis is a subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Viereck and Cockerell in 1914. As a member of the genus Andrena, it belongs to a diverse group of solitary, ground-nesting bees. The subspecies designation indicates geographic variation within the species Andrena pertristis.
Andrena piperi
Piper's Miner Bee, Piper's Mining Bee
Andrena piperi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Viereck in 1904. The species is distributed across Central America and North America, where it nests in soil. As with other members of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that provisions its brood cells with pollen and nectar.
Andrena pruni
Cherry Mining Bee, cherry miner
Andrena pruni is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the Cherry Mining Bee or cherry miner. Like other members of the genus Andrena, it nests in the ground and is an important pollinator. The specific epithet 'pruni' suggests a likely association with Prunus (cherry/plum) species as a pollen or nectar source, though this relationship requires confirmation.
Andrena prunorum
Prunus Miner Bee, Purple Miner Bee
Andrena prunorum is a solitary mining bee in the subgenus Plastandrena, found across North and Central America. It is a spring-flying species that nests in the ground, with females constructing individual burrows containing multiple brood cells. The species has been observed to prefer pollen from Rosaceae plants, including fruit trees.
Andrena regularis
Regular Mining Bee, Regular Miner
Andrena regularis is a ground-nesting solitary mining bee native to North America. It is known to form large nesting aggregations, as documented at East Lawn Cemetery in Ithaca, New York, where it was the dominant species in a study collecting 3,251 individuals across 16 bee, fly, and beetle species. The species exhibits a 41-day emergence period from late March through mid-May, with distinct timing of male and female emergence. It serves as a host for the brood parasite Nomada imbricata. Cemeteries may function as important refugia for this and other ground-nesting bee populations.
Andrena rehni
Rehn's Miner Bee
Andrena rehni is a solitary, ground-nesting miner bee native to eastern North America. The species is oligolectic, specializing on pollen from Castanea species including American chestnut and Allegheny chinkapin. Following the functional extinction of American chestnut due to chestnut blight, the bee became increasingly rare and was not documented for nearly a century until its rediscovery in 2018. It has since been recorded in multiple states after long absences.
Andrena robertsonii
Robertson's Miner Bee
Andrena robertsonii, commonly known as Robertson's Miner Bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Andrenidae. The species occurs in North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and broader distribution across the continent. Like other Andrena species, it is a fossorial bee that excavates tunnels in soil for nesting. As a member of the large mining bee genus Andrena, it contributes to spring pollination, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Andrena rudbeckiae
Coneflower Mining Bee
Andrena rudbeckiae is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Coneflower Mining Bee. It is native to North America and is named for its association with Rudbeckia (coneflower) species, suggesting a likely host plant relationship. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical ground-nesting behavior characteristic of mining bees, excavating tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae.
Andrena rufosignata
red-faced miner bee, Brown-fovea Miner
Andrena rufosignata is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1902. It is known from North America, with confirmed records from Vermont. Like other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and lay eggs. As a member of the large Andrena genus, it contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers.
Andrena sola
Lonely Mining Bee, lonely miner
Andrena sola is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Lonely Mining Bee. It is native to Central America and North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the fossorial nesting behavior typical of mining bees, constructing underground burrows for reproduction. The specific epithet "sola" (Latin for "alone" or "lonely") reflects its solitary nature rather than social behavior.
Andrena sperryi
Andrena sperryi is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1937. It belongs to the large genus Andrena, which comprises over 1,500 species of solitary, ground-nesting bees worldwide. As a member of this genus, it likely exhibits the typical Andrena biology of excavating burrows in soil and provisioning nest cells with pollen for larval development. The species is recorded from North America.
Andrena sphaeralceae
Globemallow Andrena
Andrena sphaeralceae, commonly known as the Globemallow Andrena, is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is a solitary bee that excavates underground nests in soil. The species is found in North America and Central America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it contributes to spring pollination of wildflowers. The specific epithet 'sphaeralceae' suggests a likely association with plants in the genus Sphaeralcea (globemallows), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
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 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 wilkella
Wilke's Mining Bee, Wilke's Mining-bee
Andrena wilkella is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. Native to Europe, it has been introduced to North America, possibly via ship ballast. It is active from April to August and nests both singly and in aggregations. The species shows strong pollen specialization on Fabaceae, particularly clover and sweet clover.
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.
Anoplius aethiops
Anoplius aethiops is a large spider wasp in the family Pompilidae. Females hunt and paralyze wolf spiders (family Lycosidae), particularly species in the genus Hogna, to provision underground burrows for their offspring. The species is widely distributed across North America and is most active in late summer and early fall. It is morphologically similar to Anoplius cleora, requiring microscopic examination for definitive identification.
Anthemurgus
passionflower bee
Anthemurgus is a subgenus within Protandrena (family Andrenidae) containing at least one confirmed species, P. (Anthemurgus) passiflorae, commonly called the passionflower bee. This bee is notable for extreme host-plant specialization (monolecty) on Passiflora lutea, the yellow passionflower. The subgenus has undergone repeated taxonomic revision, having been treated as a monotypic genus, a subgenus of Pseudopanurgus, and currently as a subgenus of Protandrena. A chromosome-level genome assembly has been completed for the sole species.
Anthophora
Common Digger Bees, Digger Bees
Anthophora is a large genus of solitary bees in the family Apidae, comprising over 450 species across 14 subgenera. These bees are most diverse in the Holarctic and African biogeographic regions. All species are solitary, though many nest in large aggregations. Nearly all species excavate nests in soil, either in banks or flat ground, with larvae developing in waterproof-lined cells without cocoons. Some species, notably Anthophora bomboides, are bumble bee mimics and construct distinctive turret-like nest entrances.
Anthophora bomboides
Bumble-bee-mimic anthophora, Bumblebee-like Digger Bee, Stanford bumble bee digger
Anthophora bomboides is a solitary ground-nesting bee native to North America. Females construct distinctive turreted nests in sandy substrates, particularly coastal sand cliffs. The species exhibits Batesian mimicry of bumblebees, specifically resembling Bombus vosnesenskii in coloration. Research has documented unique microbial symbioses, with bacteria and fungi proliferating during larval diapause and potentially enhancing overwintering survival.
Anthophora californica
California Digger Bee, California Anthophora
Anthophora californica is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, found in Central America and North America. The species was described by Cresson in 1869 and includes two recognized subspecies: A. c. albomarginata and A. c. californica. As a member of the genus Anthophora, it exhibits ground-nesting behavior typical of digger bees. The species is part of the diverse native bee fauna of western North America.
Anthophora capistrata
Anthophora capistrata is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, described by Cresson in 1879. It belongs to a genus of ground-nesting bees that excavate burrows in soil or sand. The species is recorded from Middle America and North America. Like other Anthophora species, it is likely a generalist forager on floral resources, though specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Anthophora crotchii
Anthophora crotchii is a species of digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Ezra Townsend Cresson in 1879 and named after entomologist George Robert Crotch. It belongs to the genus Anthophora, a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as digger bees. The species occurs in North America. Like other members of its genus, it is expected to be a solitary bee that excavates nests in soil, though specific biological details remain poorly documented in published literature.
Anthophora edwardsii
Edwards' anthophora
Anthophora edwardsii, commonly known as Edwards' anthophora, is a solitary digger bee native to western North America. Adults measure 12–18 mm in length and exhibit sexual dimorphism in facial coloration. The species is an important pollinator, with documented associations to manzanita flowers. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it nests in the ground and is active during spring.
Anthophora hololeuca
Anthophora hololeuca is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, first described by Cockerell in 1923. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates burrows in soil or sand substrates. The species occurs in North America and Middle America, though specific details of its biology remain poorly documented compared to better-studied congeners such as Anthophora bomboides.
Anthophora phaceliae
Anthophora phaceliae is a solitary digger bee in the family Apidae, described by Brooks in 1988. The species epithet "phaceliae" suggests a likely association with Phacelia flowers. Like other members of the genus Anthophora, it is presumed to nest in the ground. Available information is limited; the species has been recorded in Middle America and North America with minimal observational data.
Anthophora pueblo
Pueblo Sandstone-digger Bee
Anthophora pueblo is a solitary digger bee species in the family Apidae, described by Orr in 2016. The species belongs to a genus known for ground-nesting behavior, with many Anthophora species constructing nests in soil or sandstone substrates. The common name "Pueblo Sandstone-digger Bee" suggests an association with sandstone geological formations. As a member of the tribe Anthophorini, it shares characteristics with other digger bees that excavate burrows for brood rearing.
Anthophora urbana
Urbane Digger Bee
Anthophora urbana is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the family Apidae, commonly known as the Urbane Digger Bee. It is native to Central America and North America, with a broad distribution that includes arid regions such as the Mojave and Sonoran deserts. The species is a floral generalist, collecting pollen and nectar from diverse plant species. A. urbana is notable for being proposed as a candidate for California's state bee due to its widespread presence and representation of solitary native bees.
Anthophorini
Digger Bees, Digger Bee, Burrowing Bees
Anthophorini is a large tribe of solitary bees in the family Apidae, commonly known as digger bees or burrowing bees. The tribe contains over 750 species worldwide, with the majority in the genera Amegilla and Anthophora. These bees are ground-nesting specialists, excavating burrows in soil, sand, or clay substrates, often constructing distinctive turrets at nest entrances. Many species exhibit bumble bee mimicry and have specialized associations with particular plant groups for pollen collection.
Anthophorula nitens
Shining Mini-Digger
Anthophorula nitens is a small bee species in the family Apidae, tribe Exomalopsini, commonly known as the Shining Mini-Digger. It was first described by Cockerell in 1915 under the basionym Exomalopsis nitens. The species is native to North America and belongs to a genus of solitary bees that are typically associated with ground-nesting habits. Like other members of Exomalopsini, it likely exhibits specialized pollen-collecting structures and solitary reproductive behavior.
Aphaenogaster fulva
Tawny Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster fulva is a species of myrmicine ant in the genus Aphaenogaster, first described by Roger in 1863. It is part of a species complex that has undergone taxonomic revision, with some authorities treating related forms as separate species or subspecies. The species has been studied for its spatial distribution patterns in temperate forests, particularly in relation to environmental gradients such as soil moisture and vegetation cover. Like other Aphaenogaster species, it is a ground-nesting ant with generalist foraging habits.
Aphaenogaster treatae
Treat's Collared Ant
Aphaenogaster treatae, commonly known as Treat's Collared Ant, is a species of ant in the genus Aphaenogaster. Described by Forel in 1886, this species belongs to the tribe Stenammini within the subfamily Myrmicinae. The species has been documented through 188 iNaturalist observations, indicating it is a recognized though not extensively studied member of the eastern temperate forest ant fauna. As with many Aphaenogaster species, it is likely a ground-nesting ant, though specific natural history details remain poorly documented in the available literature.
Aphilanthops hispidus
ant-queen kidnapper
Aphilanthops hispidus is a solitary wasp species in the family Crabronidae, known as an "ant-queen kidnapper" for its specialized predation on winged queens of ants in the genus Formica. The species occurs in North America, including the southwestern United States and Mexico, and has been documented as abundant on flowers of seepwillow (Baccharis salicifolia) during late summer months. Adult females excavate underground burrows to store paralyzed ant queens as food for their developing larvae.
Augochlorella aurata
golden green sweat bee, golden sweat bee
Augochlorella aurata is a primitively eusocial sweat bee (Halictidae) and one of the most common bees in eastern North America. Adults display brilliant metallic green coloration, often diffused with copper, red, or yellow tones. The species nests in soil and exhibits a seasonal colony cycle with distinct foundress, worker, and reproductive phases. It is a generalist pollen forager and has been documented visiting numerous horticultural crops and native plants.
Bembecinus floridanus
sand wasp
Bembecinus floridanus is a small sand wasp in the family Crabronidae, first described by Krombein & Willink in 1951. As a member of the genus Bembecinus, it exhibits the characteristic traits of this group: strongly convergent eyes at the bottom of the face and strongly divergent at the top of the head, along with a petiolate or nearly petiolate second submarginal cell in the forewing. The species is found in North America and, like other Bembecinus, is a solitary ground-nesting wasp that provisions its larvae with prey.
Bembecinus neglectus
Bembecinus neglectus is a species of sand wasp in the family Crabronidae (formerly treated as Bembicidae). It was first described by Cresson in 1873 and is known to occur in North America. As a member of the tribe Bembicini, it belongs to a group of solitary wasps commonly associated with sandy habitats. The species has been documented in museum collections and through citizen science observations, though detailed biological studies remain limited.
Bembicini
Sand Wasps
Bembicini is a large tribe of solitary wasps commonly known as sand wasps, comprising approximately 20 genera distributed across multiple subtribes. These wasps are characterized by their ground-nesting behavior in sandy substrates and their role as predators provisioning nests with paralyzed insect prey. The tribe exhibits notable diversity in prey preferences, with most genera specializing on particular insect orders—most commonly Diptera, though some target Hemiptera, Orthoptera, or other groups. Many species form dense nesting aggregations where numerous females excavate burrows in close proximity, creating conspicuous colonies that attract specialized parasites and cleptoparasites.