Andrena malacothricidis
This record describes Andrena malacothricidis (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Andrena malacothricidis Thorp, 1969 (see reference), is closely related to A. subchalybea (Please see the Discover Life site for the distinguishing characters). ID by Dr. Robbin Thorp (UC Davis), based on a female specimen.
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
CA and Mexico Discover Life Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: An oligolege of Malacothrix (Asteraceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena malacothricidis. 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 malacothricidis (4)
Photo credits: Contributed by Hartmut Wisch; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena malacothricidis
What is Andrena malacothricidis?
Andrena malacothricidis is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Andrena malacothricidis?
Andrena malacothricidis Thorp, 1969 (see reference), is closely related to A. subchalybea (Please see the Discover Life site for the distinguishing characters). ID by Dr. Robbin Thorp (UC Davis), based on a female specimen.
Where is Andrena malacothricidis found?
Range: CA and Mexico Discover Life Map
What does Andrena malacothricidis eat?
The diet of the Andrena malacothricidis includes An oligolege of Malacothrix (Asteraceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..