Cloudy-winged Miner Bee
Andrena nubecula
This record describes Andrena nubecula (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
It is distinguished by the absence of apical hair on metasomal tergum 1 with the wings strongly darkened apically and in the marginal cell; and the males with the posterior margin of the gena rounded or with a weak spine. According to Discover Life
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
Minnesota to the New England states and eastern Canada, south to North Carolina and Georgia. In Canada it ranges west to British Columbia. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
August to October.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Recorded on Aster, Chrysothamnus, Eupatorium, Solidago, Symphyotrichum, Melilotus, and Spiraea . 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 nubecula. 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 Cloudy-winged Miner Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Cloudy-winged Miner Bee
What is Cloudy-winged Miner Bee?
Cloudy-winged Miner Bee (Andrena nubecula) is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Cloudy-winged Miner Bee?
Male 6 mm, female 8-9 mm.
How do you identify Cloudy-winged Miner Bee?
It is distinguished by the absence of apical hair on metasomal tergum 1 with the wings strongly darkened apically and in the marginal cell; and the males with the posterior margin of the gena rounded or with a weak spine. According to Discover Life
Where is Cloudy-winged Miner Bee found?
Range: Minnesota to the New England states and eastern Canada, south to North Carolina and Georgia. In Canada it ranges west to British Columbia. Discover Life Map
What does Cloudy-winged Miner Bee eat?
The diet of the Cloudy-winged Miner Bee includes Recorded on Aster, Chrysothamnus, Eupatorium, Solidago, Symphyotrichum, Melilotus, and Spiraea . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Cloudy-winged Miner Bee active?
Cloudy-winged Miner Bee: seasonal activity - August to October..