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Andrenidae - mining bees

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Mining bees

Andrenindae is a large and diverse family of bees. The largest genus within this family is Andrena, or the mining bees. As the common name suggests and like many other solitary bees, this family of bees nest in the ground. 

Bee size
  • Very small to moderate
Known number of species in Washington
  • 124
Andrenidae genera in Washington
  • Andrena
  • Calliopsis
  • Panurginus
  • Perdita
Characteristics
  • Two subantennael sutures
  • Some species have facial fovea
  • Carry pollen on legs

Calliopsis

Photo by Karla Salp

Perdita

Photo by Lisa Hill

Andrena

Photo by Jane Abel

Andrena

Photo by Karla Salp

Andrena frigida

Photo by Karla Salp

Panurginus

Photo by Jerome Gagner

Andrena astragali

Perdita

Photo by Aidan Hersh

Want to see more?

Check out Washington observations of bees in the Andrenidae family on iNaturalist. 

 

Learn about more Washington bees

Andrenidae · Apidae · Colletidae · Halictidae · Megachilidae · Melittidae · Cuckoo Bees · Species of Greatest Conservation Need · Honey bees