Parnassia Mining Bee
Andrena parnassiae
This record describes Andrena parnassiae (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female has extensive dark hair on the scutum and face, with pale scopal hairs and pale hair on sides of thorax. White hair bands present on far sides of tergites. Overall a very dark-looking bee. Not easily mistaken for other species, likely one of the only bees regularly visiting Parnassia flowers.
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
Fens, nutrient-poor wetlands with grass-of-Parnassus.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Oligolectic on Grass-of-Parnassus ( Parnassia ).
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cockerell, 1902
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena parnassiae. 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 Parnassia Mining Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Molly Jacobson
Frequently Asked Questions About Parnassia Mining Bee
What is Parnassia Mining Bee?
Parnassia Mining Bee (Andrena parnassiae) is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Parnassia Mining Bee?
Female has extensive dark hair on the scutum and face, with pale scopal hairs and pale hair on sides of thorax. White hair bands present on far sides of tergites. Overall a very dark-looking bee.
Where is Parnassia Mining Bee found?
Habitat: Fens, nutrient-poor wetlands with grass-of-Parnassus.
What does Parnassia Mining Bee eat?
The diet of the Parnassia Mining Bee includes Oligolectic on Grass-of-Parnassus ( Parnassia )..