Andrena bicolor
This record describes Andrena bicolor (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
This is a small solitary mining bee. The females are about 9 to 11 mm, and the males are slightly smaller. Females have back hairs on the face, gingery hairs on the top of the thorax and at the front of each side - the remainder has black hairs. The abdomen is black but with pale brown hairs forming bands across the base of each segment. The legs are mostly black with an orange-brown pollen brush on the hind legs. Males are similar but slimmer and lack the pollen brush. Found in various habitats including gardens, grassland and open woodland areas. It has two generations per year, being on the wing from March to May and then from late June to August. They nest in the ground, usually where the soil is quite soft. A small nest is constructed containing a few cells, which the female fills with pollen. A single egg is laid in each cell and the larvae feed on the pollen. Fairly frequent and found throughout Britain, though mostly southern.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena bicolor: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_bicolor.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Andrenidae
- Genus
- Andrena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Found in various habitats including gardens, grassland and open woodland areas.
Seasonal Activity
It has two generations per year, being on the wing from March to May and then from late June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Life History
They nest in the ground, usually where the soil is quite soft. A small nest is constructed containing a few cells, which the female fills with pollen. A single egg is laid in each cell and the larvae feed on the pollen.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent and found throughout Britain, though mostly southern.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena bicolor. 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 bicolor (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena bicolor
What is Andrena bicolor?
Andrena bicolor is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Andrena bicolor found?
Habitat: Found in various habitats including gardens, grassland and open woodland areas.
When is Andrena bicolor active?
Andrena bicolor: seasonal activity - It has two generations per year, being on the wing from March to May and then from late June to August..
What is the life cycle of a Andrena bicolor?
They nest in the ground, usually where the soil is quite soft. A small nest is constructed containing a few cells, which the female fills with pollen. A single egg is laid in each cell and the larvae feed on the pollen.