Trout-lily Mining Bee
Andrena erythronii
This record describes Andrena erythronii (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Both sexes can be distinguished from those of barbilabris by the more distinct pronotal humeral angles and dorsoventral ridges and by the very weak terga fasciae. The female of erythronii is marked by a labral process distinctly broader than long, the clypeus is strongly flattened and more or less shiny, propodeal dorsal enclosure is weakly sculptured. The male of erythronii is marked by the sterna having weakly formed subapical fimbriae and tergum 7 without or with an extremely narrow pygidium-like area.
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
East US and Canada Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
Spring bee of eastern North America
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Associated with trout lilies ( Erythronium spp.). But also visits flowers of several other 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: Author: Robertson, 1891.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena erythronii. 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 Trout-lily Mining Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , anitagould , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Trout-lily Mining Bee
What is Trout-lily Mining Bee?
Trout-lily Mining Bee (Andrena erythronii) is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Trout-lily Mining Bee?
Female 11-14 mm, male 9-11 mm.
How do you identify Trout-lily Mining Bee?
Both sexes can be distinguished from those of barbilabris by the more distinct pronotal humeral angles and dorsoventral ridges and by the very weak terga fasciae. The female of erythronii is marked by a labral process distinctly broader than long, the clypeus is strongly flattened and more or less shiny, propodeal dorsal enclosure is weakly sculptured. The male of erythronii is marked by the sterna having weakly formed subapical fimbriae and tergum 7 without or with an extremely narrow pygidium-like area.
Where is Trout-lily Mining Bee found?
Range: East US and Canada Discover Life Map
What does Trout-lily Mining Bee eat?
The diet of the Trout-lily Mining Bee includes Associated with trout lilies ( Erythronium spp.). But also visits flowers of several other families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Trout-lily Mining Bee active?
Trout-lily Mining Bee: seasonal activity - Spring bee of eastern North America.