Andrena miserabilis
This record describes Andrena miserabilis (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
The female as a noteably smooth clypeus. The male has a yellow clypeus in combination with broad cheeks and pale lower surface of the flagellar segments.
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
Habitat
Includes woodlands and orchards
Geographic Range
Eastern Canada to Georgia, west to Texas, Colorado and California. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
Typically late March to June, but flies as early as Jan (or even Dec) in Florida.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Includes apples and other orchard trees. 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 miserabilis. 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 miserabilis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena miserabilis
What is Andrena miserabilis?
Andrena miserabilis is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Andrena miserabilis?
Moderately small. Female: 8-9 mm. Male: 7 mm
How do you identify Andrena miserabilis?
The female as a noteably smooth clypeus. The male has a yellow clypeus in combination with broad cheeks and pale lower surface of the flagellar segments.
Where is Andrena miserabilis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Includes woodlands and orchards |
| Range | Eastern Canada to Georgia, west to Texas, Colorado and California. Discover Life Map |
What does Andrena miserabilis eat?
The diet of the Andrena miserabilis includes Includes apples and other orchard trees. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Andrena miserabilis active?
Andrena miserabilis: seasonal activity - Typically late March to June, but flies as early as Jan (or even Dec) in Florida..