Panurginae
Guides
Andrenidae
mining bees, miner bees, bulldozer bees
Andrenidae is a large, nearly cosmopolitan family of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as mining bees. The family exhibits exceptional diversity with over 2,000 described species across four subfamilies: Andreninae, Panurginae, Oxaeinae, and Alocandreninae. Most diversity occurs in temperate and arid (warm temperate xeric) regions. The genus Andrena contains approximately 1,700 species, making it one of the most rapidly speciating bee lineages known. Members are typically small to moderate-sized bees with distinctive morphological features including two subantennal sutures on the face—a primitive trait shared with sphecoid wasps—and often possess foveae (depressions) near the upper margin of the eyes. Unlike most bee families, Andrenidae have no known kleptoparasites. Some lineages, particularly within Panurginae, have evolved crepuscular (dusk-active) foraging behavior with enlarged ocelli.
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 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.
Panurginus
mining bees
Panurginus is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae, with more than 50 described species distributed across the Holarctic region. Species occur in diverse habitats including alpine zones of Central Europe, the Siberian taiga, and steppe regions of Central Asia. Some species, such as P. herzi and P. montanus, are morphologically very similar and require quantitative measurements for reliable identification. The genus exhibits variable pollen host specialization, with individual species ranging from narrow specialists to broad generalists.
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 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 distropica
Perdita distropica is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Timberlake in 1956. As a member of the genus Perdita, it belongs to a diverse group of small, solitary bees native to North America. The specific epithet 'distropica' suggests a distribution pattern that may deviate from typical tropical or subtropical ranges expected for the group. Like other Perdita species, it is likely a ground-nesting solitary bee, though detailed biological studies are limited.
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.
Perditina
Fairy Bees, Goblin Bees, False Goblin Bees
Perditina is a subtribe of small bees within the family Andrenidae, commonly known as Fairy Bees, Goblin Bees, and False Goblin Bees. These bees are among the smallest bees in North America, with many species measuring only a few millimeters in length. The subtribe includes the genus *Perdita*, which is extraordinarily diverse with over 800 described species, many of which are specialized pollen collectors on specific host plants. Perditina bees are primarily solitary ground-nesters and are important pollinators, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Their minute size and often striking metallic coloration distinguish them from other bee groups.
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.
Protandrenini
Protandrenini is a tribe of mining bees within the family Andrenidae, subfamily Panurginae. The tribe comprises approximately 10–12 genera and at least 380 described species. Members are primarily distributed in the Americas, with notable diversity in South America. The group is characterized by ground-nesting behavior typical of mining bees, though detailed biological information varies among constituent genera.
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.