Synonyms and other taxonomic changes
Explanation of Names
From Greek
anthrene (ανθρηνη) 'hornet/wasp'; related Greek words originally referred to any buzzing insect. (English
drone is related to Greek
threnos 'dirge')
(1)Numbers
>450 spp. in 47 subgenera in our area, >1,500 spp. in 100 subgenera worldwide
(2)
Subgenera not yet in the guide:
Anchandrena: 2 spp., both in our area
(2)
Aporandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Augandrena: 3 spp., all in our area
(2)
Cremnandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Dasyandrena: 3 spp., all in our area
(2)
Derandrena: 9 spp., all in our area
(2)
Geissandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Genyandrena: 2 spp., both in our area
(2)
Iomelissa: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Nemandrena: 3 spp., all in our area
(2)
Notandrena: 2 spp. in our area, 20 spp. total
(2)
Oligandrena: 2 spp., both in our area
(2)
Onagrandrena: 22 spp., all in our area
(2)
Oxyandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Parandrena: 9 spp. in our area, 15 spp. total
(2)
Pelicandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Psammandrena: 2 spp., both in our area
(2)
Scaphandrena: 24 spp., all in our area
(2)
Scoliandrena: 2 spp., both in our area
(2)
Scrapteropsis: 19 spp., all in our area
(2)
Xiphandrena: monotypic subgenus
(2)
Identification
They have facial
foveae. This describes the pale bands of hair along the inside margins of the eyes. Actually, the facial foveae are the 'grooves' in the face from which those hairs emanate. Wings with 3 submarginal cells.
OVERVIEW OF SUBGENERA
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♀ Range
Mostly northern hemisphere; absent from South America and Australia (
map)
(2)Season
Most species fly in spring, but others fly in the summer, autumn, and a few even in winter
Life Cycle
Males of many spp. (e.g. A. imitatrix) fly in large numbers about the tips of tree branches in early spring looking for females.
Remarks
Identification to species level usually requires an expert.
Andrena are more active than Apis at lower temperatures. For this and other reasons Andrena (and Osmia) can be, on a per bee basis, superior pollinators in cold weather. Some species (e.g. Andrena clarkella) are exceptionally cold tolerant. (Gebhardt & Röhr 1987) (Based on J.S. Ascher's comment of 12.iv.2009)
Print References
Gusenleitner F., and M. Schwarz (2002) Weltweite Checkliste der Bienengattung Andrena mit Bemerkungen und Ergaenzungen zu palaearktischen Arten (Hymenoptera, Apidae, Andrena). Entomofauna Supplement 12: 1-1280. (World catalog)
Gebhardt M., and G. Röhr (1987) Zur Bionomie der Sandbienen Andrena clarkella (Kirby), A. cineraria (L.), A. fuscipes (Kirby) und ihrer Kuckucksbienen. Drosera 87: 89-114.
