Global InformationProtandrena information
| Protandrena | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Andrenidae |
| Subfamily: | Panurginae |
| Tribe: | Protandrenini |
| Genus: | Protandrena Cockerell, 1896 |
| Subgenera (disputed; see text) | |
| |
Protandrena is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae. Depending upon whose definition of the genus one follows, there are anywhere from 50 to 180 described species in Protandrena; traditional classifications recognize 7 subgenera, some of which are sometimes elevated to genus rank, and other classifications place many of these species in the related genus Pseudopanurgus (e.g.[1]), leaving Protandrena with a much smaller constituency.[2] In the most inclusive definition, they are found from Canada through Argentina.[3] However, there is current disagreement whether the Protandrena in South America belong to different genera, in which case the genus extends only as far south as Panama.[4] They are solitary bees, but some species nest in aggregations.[4][5] They prefer to nest in sunny areas with sparse vegetation. The underground nests have cells lined with a chemical substance. This "wallpaper" acts as a barrier between fungi and bacteria. The eggs hatch, the larvae develop, and then overwinter as mature larvae with hardened skin.[5] They are primarily active from May to October, but have been noted to be active in April in the region six of the United States.[5]
There are specialists and generalist found in the genus Protandrena. One notable specialist is Protandrena abdominalis, whom specializes on Monarda (bee balm).[5]
cuckoo bees in the genus Holcopasites have been found as nest parasites of Protandrena.[5]
- ^ DiscoverLife: Pseudopanurgus
- ^ DiscoverLife: Protandrena
- ^ Michener, Charles Duncan (2000). The Bees of the World. JHU Press. ISBN 9780801861338.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
bugrefwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c d e Wilson, Joseph, Messinger Carril, Olivia (2015). The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America's Bee Species. Princeton, New Jersey, United States: Princeton University Press. p. 83. ISBN 9780691160771.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)