Andrena melliventris
This record describes Andrena melliventris (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Yellow clypeus , broad dark basitarsis, metasoma red anterior and blackened posteriorly.
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
TX, KA, AZ and Mexico Discover Life Map
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Specializes on Compositae. The Hosts and Floral Records sections on its Discover Life species page list known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cresson, 1872.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena melliventris. 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 melliventris (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Ted Kropiewnicki , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena melliventris
What is Andrena melliventris?
Andrena melliventris is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Andrena melliventris?
Yellow clypeus , broad dark basitarsis, metasoma red anterior and blackened posteriorly.
Where is Andrena melliventris found?
Range: TX, KA, AZ and Mexico Discover Life Map
What does Andrena melliventris eat?
The diet of the Andrena melliventris includes Specializes on Compositae. The Hosts and Floral Records sections on its Discover Life species page list known floral associations based on specimen records and images..