Mining-bee
Guides
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 pilonotata
Perdita pilonotata is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1980. It belongs to the large genus Perdita, which contains over 800 species of small, solitary bees native to North America. Members of this genus are typically specialist pollinators with narrow host plant associations. The species epithet 'pilonotata' refers to distinctive pilose (hairy) markings.
Perdita punctosignata
Perdita punctosignata is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1895. It is one of approximately 800 described species in the genus Perdita, which comprises small, solitary bees native to North America. The species is known to occur in both Central America and North America, with three recognized subspecies distinguished primarily by coloration. Like other members of its genus, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations remain undocumented.
Perdita rhois
Rhus Fairy Bee
Perdita rhois is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1901. It is commonly known as the Rhus Fairy Bee, a name referencing its association with Rhus (sumac) plants. The species occurs in Central America and North America, where it functions as a pollinator. As a member of the genus Perdita, it belongs to one of the most diverse bee genera in North America, characterized by small size and often specialized host-plant relationships.
Perdita rivalis
Perdita rivalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1958. As a member of the genus Perdita, it belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary bees commonly known as mining bees or fairy bees. The species is recorded from North America. Like other Perdita species, it likely exhibits the typical traits of the genus: small size, solitary nesting behavior in soil, and specialized floral associations, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
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.
Perdita trifasciata
Three-striped Fairy Bee
Perdita trifasciata is a small mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1953. The common name "Three-striped Fairy Bee" refers to its diminutive size and likely abdominal banding pattern. As with other Perdita species, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee. The species has been recorded in Middle America and North America.
Perdita trisignata
Lotus Fairy Bee
Perdita trisignata is a small, solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. The species is known by the common name Lotus Fairy Bee. It belongs to a genus of approximately 800 species of small bees found primarily in North America. Members of the genus Perdita are typically specialist pollinators associated with particular host plants. The specific epithet 'trisignata' likely refers to three distinctive markings on the body.
Perdita turgiceps
Perdita turgiceps is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1954. It belongs to the genus Perdita, which comprises small, solitary bees commonly known as fairy bees due to their minute size. The species is part of a diverse North American bee fauna that includes over 1,600 species in California alone. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a specialist pollinator, though specific host plant associations for this species have not been documented.
Perdita wyomingensis
Wyoming toothpick grasshopper
Perdita wyomingensis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1922. The species is recorded from North America with limited observational data available. As a member of the genus Perdita, it is a solitary bee, though specific biological details remain poorly documented. The species name references Wyoming, suggesting a geographic association with that region.
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.
Protandrena abdominalis
Protandrena abdominalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Cresson in 1878 under the genus Calliopsis. It is part of the genus Protandrena, which comprises small to medium-sized bees that nest in the ground. As with other members of the Panurginae subfamily, this species is a solitary bee with no known social behavior. The species name refers to some characteristic of the abdomen, though the specific trait is not detailed in available sources.
Protoxaea gloriosa
glorious protoxaea
Protoxaea gloriosa is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, subfamily Oxaeinae. Males exhibit pronounced territorial behavior, establishing and defending flowering plants during morning hours to increase mating opportunities with virgin females. The species shows strong seasonality tied to summer rainfall patterns, with principal emergence triggered by first soaking rains. Females collect pollen primarily from Solanum and nectar from Asclepias, Verbesina, and Larrea. This bee is found in arid and semi-arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico.
Pseudopanurgus atricornis
Pseudopanurgus atricornis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It was first described by Cresson in 1878. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Pseudopanurgus, it belongs to a group of small to medium-sized bees that nest in the ground.
Pseudopanurgus fraterculus timberlakei
A subspecies of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, originally described by Cockerell in 1931. The subspecific epithet honors P.H. Timberlake, a prominent entomologist associated with the University of California, Riverside, whose extensive collections significantly advanced knowledge of North American bees. As a member of the Panurginae, this bee is a solitary ground-nester.
Pseudopanurgus rugosus
Pseudopanurgus rugosus is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Robertson in 1895. The species is native to North America and Middle America. As a member of the Panurginae subfamily, it is a solitary bee that excavates nests in soil. The specific epithet 'rugosus' refers to a wrinkled or roughened surface texture, likely describing some aspect of the integument.
Tanaops basalis
Tanaops basalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae. The species is native to North America, with records from the western United States. Like other members of Andrenidae, females are solitary ground-nesters that provision brood cells with pollen and nectar. Males are often observed patrolling areas near female nesting sites.