Solitary-bee
Guides
Andrena fracta
Andrena fracta is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Casad and Cockerell in 1896. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it belongs to a group of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important pollinators in temperate and subtropical regions. The species has been recorded from North America and Middle America, though detailed ecological and biological information remains limited. Like other Andrena species, it likely nests in burrows excavated in soil and provisions its larvae with pollen and nectar.
Andrena fragilis
Fragile Miner Bee, Fragile Dogwood Andrena
Andrena fragilis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. The species belongs to a large genus of ground-nesting bees that excavate tunnels in soil to provision their larvae with pollen. Like other Andrena species, it is active in spring and contributes to pollination of early-flowering plants.
Andrena frigida
Frigid Mining Bee, Cold Miner Bee, Frigid Miner
Andrena frigida is a solitary mining bee native to North America, first described by Frederick Smith in 1853. As a member of the family Andrenidae, it is a ground-nesting species that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae. The species epithet 'frigida' (Latin for 'cold') suggests association with cooler conditions or early-season activity, though specific ecological details remain poorly documented.
Andrena fuscicauda
Brown-tailed Miner Bee, Dark-tailed Mining Bee, Dark-tailed Andrena
Andrena fuscicauda is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, characterized by its brown or dark-colored tail. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical traits of mining bees: ground-nesting behavior, solitary reproduction, and spring activity. The species is known from North America, though detailed ecological studies specific to this species remain limited.
Andrena geranii
Geranium Miner Bee, Geranium Andrena
Andrena geranii is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, native to North America. It is commonly known as the Geranium Miner Bee or Geranium Andrena, names reflecting its documented association with geranium plants (Pelargonium and Geranium species). Like other members of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae. The species is part of the diverse Andrena fauna of eastern North America, though detailed ecological studies specific to this species remain limited.
Andrena haynesi
Haynes' Mining Bee, Haynes's Miner Bee, Haynes' Andrena
Andrena haynesi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as Haynes' Mining Bee. First described by Viereck and Cockerell in 1914, this species is known from 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 lay eggs.
Andrena helianthi
Sunflower Mining Bee, Sunflower Andrena
Andrena helianthi is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Sunflower Mining Bee or Sunflower Andrena. It is native to North America and belongs to the large genus Andrena, which contains over 1,500 species of ground-nesting bees. As a member of this genus, it likely exhibits typical Andrena biology including fossorial nesting in soil and provisioning of nest cells with pollen. The specific epithet 'helianthi' suggests a possible association with sunflowers (Helianthus), though this host relationship requires confirmation.
Andrena hilaris
Andrena hilaris is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Smith in 1853. Like other members of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary bee that nests in the ground. The species is recorded from North America. As with many Andrena species, detailed ecological and biological information remains limited in the available literature.
Andrena hippotes
Hippotes's Miner Bee, Orange-legged Miner Bee
Andrena hippotes is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as Hippotes's Miner Bee or Orange-legged Miner Bee. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in bare soil for nesting. The species is found in North America, with records from Vermont and other regions. Like other Andrena species, it is likely active in spring and plays a role in pollination of early-flowering plants.
Andrena hirticincta
Hairy-banded Mining Bee, Hairy-belted Miner Bee, Hairy-banded Andrena
Andrena hirticincta is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Hairy-banded Mining Bee. The species is found in North America and belongs to a large genus of ground-nesting bees that provision underground burrows with pollen for their larvae. Like other Andrena species, it is a spring-flying bee that contributes to early-season pollination.
Andrena imitatrix
Imitator Miner Bee
Andrena imitatrix is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cresson in 1872. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from Vermont and broader distribution across the continent. Like other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision its young with pollen. The species is part of the diverse genus Andrena, which contains over 1,400 species of mining bees worldwide.
Andrena impolita
Unpolished Mining Bee, unpolished miner
Andrena impolita is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1987. The species is known from Central America and North America. Like other members of the genus Andrena, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to create nest cells provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The common name "unpolished miner" refers to the relatively dull or unpolished appearance of the integument compared to some related species.
Andrena integra
Bare Dogwood Miner, short-haired dogwood andrena
Andrena integra is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Bare Dogwood Miner or short-haired dogwood andrena. It is native to North America and has been documented in the northeastern United States, including Vermont. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits typical traits of mining bees: solitary nesting behavior, ground-nesting habits, and role as a pollinator. The species is distinguished by its association with dogwood (Cornus) plants, as suggested by its common name.
Andrena krigiana
Dwarf-dandelion Mining Bee, dwarf-dandelion andrena
Andrena krigiana is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the Dwarf-dandelion Mining Bee. It is a ground-nesting species found in North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the typical traits of mining bees: females excavate burrows in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for their larvae. The specific epithet and common name suggest an association with dwarf-dandelion (Krigia species), likely indicating a pollen specialization.
Andrena lativentris
Andrena lativentris is a species of mining bee (family Andrenidae) described by Timberlake in 1951. It belongs to a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important spring pollinators. As with other Andrena species, it likely excavates tunnels in soil to create nests provisioned with pollen for its larvae. The specific epithet 'lativentris' refers to a broad abdomen, a morphological trait that may aid in identification.
Andrena levipes
Andrena levipes is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1967. It is a solitary, ground-nesting bee native to North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it shares the characteristic fossorial nesting behavior typical of mining bees, excavating tunnels in soil to provision with pollen and nectar for its larvae. Specific ecological details for this species remain poorly documented.
Andrena livida
Andrena livida is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1977. It is known from Central America and North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee. Specific details about its biology, host plants, and habitat preferences remain poorly documented in available sources.
Andrena malacothricidis
Desert-dandelion Mining Bee, Desert-dandelion Andrena
Andrena malacothricidis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, first described by Thorp in 1969. The species is commonly known as the Desert-dandelion Mining Bee, reflecting its association with plants in the genus Malacothrix. It is found in Central America and North America. Like other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil for nesting.
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 nigrocaerulea
Blue-and-black Mining Bee, Black and Blue Miner Bee, Blue-and-black Andrena
Andrena nigrocaerulea is a mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee. The species is known by the common names Blue-and-black Mining Bee and Black and Blue Miner Bee, referencing its distinctive coloration.
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 nuda
Nude Mining Bee, Naked Miner Bee, Nude Andrena
Andrena nuda is a solitary mining bee species in the family Andrenidae. It is native to North America, with confirmed records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. As a member of the large genus Andrena, it exhibits the fossorial nesting behavior typical of mining bees, constructing underground burrows for reproduction.
Andrena obscuripennis
Dark-winged Miner Bee
Andrena obscuripennis is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, known as the Dark-winged Miner Bee. The species is native to eastern North America with a documented range spanning the southeastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada. Very little is known about its biology or life history. A single individual was collected within 0.5 m of the ground in a Georgia study on bee flight heights, suggesting low foraging or nesting activity.
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 pertristis 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 prima
Black-and-red Miner
Andrena prima is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae. It is found in North America. The species has been recorded in iNaturalist with 58 observations.
Andrena principalis
Andrena principalis is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by LaBerge in 1986. It belongs to a large genus of solitary, ground-nesting bees that are important pollinators in temperate regions. The species is distributed across Central America and North America. Like other Andrena species, it is presumed to nest in burrows excavated in soil and to provision its larvae with pollen and nectar, though specific biological details for this species remain poorly documented.
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 rugosa
rugose andrena, wrinkled miner bee, Rugose Mining Bee
Andrena rugosa is a solitary mining bee in the family Andrenidae, commonly known as the rugose andrena or wrinkled miner bee. The species is native to North America, with records from the northeastern United States including Vermont. Like other Andrena species, it is a ground-nesting bee that excavates tunnels in soil to provision with pollen for its larvae. The specific epithet "rugosa" refers to a wrinkled or rough appearance, likely describing some aspect of the bee's morphology.
Andrena scotoptera
Andrena scotoptera is a species of mining bee in the family Andrenidae, described by Cockerell in 1934. It is found in North America. As a member of the genus Andrena, it is a solitary, ground-nesting bee.
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.