Andrena nitida
This record describes Andrena nitida (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larger than a honeybee with bright, foxy-brown hair on the thorax and a polished black abdomen. Females have patches of white pubescence on the sides of abdominal segments 1 to 3, and males have copious white facial hair. May be found in a variety of open grassland habitats. This species is fairly frequent throughout southern Britain, becoming scarcer towards southern Yorkshire, its most northerly known county.
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
May be found in a variety of open grassland habitats.
Seasonal Activity
April to June.
Additional species information
Recorded status
This species is fairly frequent throughout southern Britain, becoming scarcer towards southern Yorkshire, its most northerly known county.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena nitida. 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 nitida (3)
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena nitida
What is Andrena nitida?
Andrena nitida is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
Where is Andrena nitida found?
Habitat: May be found in a variety of open grassland habitats.
When is Andrena nitida active?
Andrena nitida: seasonal activity - April to June..