Andrena nigroaenea
This record describes Andrena nigroaenea (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Females are the size of a Honey Bee with dense brown hairs on the thorax and slightly paler hairs covering all of abdominal tergites 1-4, which contrast with the darker, blackish hairs on tergite 5 (which is often dark under the hairs). The pollen brush on the dark hind tibia is neat with even-lengthed orange hairs. It also has dark fairs on the face. Males are mainly brown-haired with black hairs on the clypeus and up the sides of the face. Areas with dry sandy soil such as heathland. Males fly from March onwards and are one of the first species to appear in the Spring. Females may be found from April into July. Fairly frequent and widespread in England and Wales.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena nigroaenea: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_nigroaenea.
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera
- Family
- Andrenidae
- Genus
- Andrena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Areas with dry sandy soil such as heathland.
Seasonal Activity
Males fly from March onwards and are one of the first species to appear in the Spring. Females may be found from April into July.
Additional species information
Recorded status
Fairly frequent and widespread in England and Wales.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena nigroaenea. 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 nigroaenea (2)
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena nigroaenea
What is Andrena nigroaenea?
Andrena nigroaenea is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Andrena nigroaenea?
of a Honey Bee with dense brown hairs on the thorax and slightly paler hairs covering all of abdominal tergites 1-4, which contrast with the darker, blackish hairs on tergite 5 (which is often dark under the hairs). The pollen brush on the dark hind tibia is neat with even-lengthed orange hairs. It also has dark fairs on the face.
Where is Andrena nigroaenea found?
Habitat: Areas with dry sandy soil such as heathland.
When is Andrena nigroaenea active?
Andrena nigroaenea: seasonal activity - Males fly from March onwards and are one of the first species to appear in the Spring. Females may be found from April into July..