Andrena barbara
This record describes Andrena barbara (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Superficially resembles Andrena perplexa but lacks the pronotal angles of subgenus Tylandrena. Distinctive features include its entirely pale hairs (unlike carlini), relatively strongly and densely punctate metasomal terga which is shiny and perhaps even slightly bluish, and largely impunctate sterna of males (unlike vicina). Resembles A. pruni but that species has exceptionally narrow facial foveae in females and elongate hairs on S8 in the male. Was long overlooked due to identification difficulties and still often misidentified.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Andrenidae (Miner, Fairy, Allied Panurgine, and Oxaeine Bees)
- Subfamily
- Andreninae
- Genus
- Andrena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Associated with warmer climates and largely restricted to coastal areas in New York and New England. Discover Life Global Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Named for the wife of one of the authors.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena barbara. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Andrena barbara (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by cotinis , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena barbara
What is Andrena barbara?
Andrena barbara is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Andrena barbara?
Relatively small and slender for a Melandrena.
How do you identify Andrena barbara?
Superficially resembles Andrena perplexa but lacks the pronotal angles of subgenus Tylandrena. Distinctive features include its entirely pale hairs (unlike carlini), relatively strongly and densely punctate metasomal terga which is shiny and perhaps even slightly bluish, and largely impunctate sterna of males (unlike vicina). Resembles A. pruni but that species has exceptionally narrow facial foveae in females and elongate hairs on S8 in the male.
Where is Andrena barbara found?
Range: Associated with warmer climates and largely restricted to coastal areas in New York and New England. Discover Life Global Map
What does Andrena barbara eat?
The diet of the Andrena barbara includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..