Andrena crataegi
This record describes Andrena crataegi (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Dark wings, recurved S6, relatively small head and narrow gena. Not closely related to any of the other Plastandrena of North America.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena crataegi: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_crataegi.
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
Widespread across NA Discover Life Global Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Polylectic. Collects pollen from many species of different 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: crataegi = from the plant genus Crataegus Tourn. ex L. (hawthorn, quickthorn, thornapple, May-tree, whitethorn, hawberry, etc.)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena crataegi. 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 crataegi (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Charley Eiseman; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Ted Kropiewnicki , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena crataegi
What is Andrena crataegi?
Andrena crataegi is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Andrena crataegi?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 10-13 mm. |
| Male | 9-12 mm. |
How do you identify Andrena crataegi?
Dark wings, recurved S6, relatively small head and narrow gena.
Where is Andrena crataegi found?
Range: Widespread across NA Discover Life Global Map
What does Andrena crataegi eat?
The diet of the Andrena crataegi includes Polylectic. Collects pollen from many species of different families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..