Category: Species Page
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Aster mining bee (Andrena asteris)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena asteris Look for aster mining bee (Andrena asteris) in fall when the temperatures begin to drop and roadsides become ablaze with goldenrods and asters. The species is common throughout New England and can be found in a wide range of habitats from gardens to meadows to old fields to coastal…
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Spring beauty mining bee (Andrena erigeniae)
Andrenidae > Andrena >Andrena erigeniae True to its name, spring beauty mining bee (Andrena erigeniae) specializes in collecting pollen from the spring ephemeral wildflower spring beauty (Claytonia). Look for distinctive bright-pink Claytonia pollen on the female’s hind legs. This often-abundant species occupies deciduous forests, but also suburban backyards and semi-urban settings when its host plant…
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Dunning’s mining bee (Dunning’s miner bee)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena dunningi Dunning’s mining bee (Andrena dunningi) is fond of lazy gardeners: this spring-active species thrives in sunny, unkempt suburban lawns and gardens full of dandelions. It can be distinguished from most other spring-active Andrena by the combination of orange thorax and entirely black abdomen. Phenology Late-March/early-April through May, with latest…
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Hairy-banded mining bee (Andrena hirticincta)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena hirticincta Hairy-banded mining bee (Andrena hirticincta) is a distinctive late-summer and fall-active mining bee found on goldenrods and asters. Both males and females are covered in long golden hairs on the face, thorax, and abdomen. Look for this species in a variety of habitats including meadows, old fields, roadsides, and…
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Campus bee (Calliopsis andreniformis)
Andrenidae > Calliopsis > Calliopsis andreniformis Campus bee (Calliopsis andreniformis) may be found nesting gregariously in early summer in well-drained, high-traffic sites like playgrounds, dirt paths, sand mines, and ball fields. Both males and females are highly distinctive and can be identified in the field through binoculars. Look for females foraging on weedy legumes like clovers.…
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Wilke’s mining bee (Andrena wilkella)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena wilkella Wilke’s mining bee (Andrena wilkella) is a summer bee of lawns and farm fields. You typically find males and females foraging on clovers and vetches. A. wilkella is notable because it is active at a time of year when relatively few other Andrena are flying. It is also unusual…
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Frigid mining bee (Andrena frigida)
Andrenidae > Andrena > Andrena frigida Frigid mining bee (Andrena frigida) is a common, early-spring bee species found throughout deciduous forests of the northeast. Both male and female A. frigida are easily recognized by the long, messy, white hairs all over their bodies. Males are quick to land on objects like bark, clothing, and plastic…