Andrena prunorum
This record describes Andrena prunorum (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Variable in color across its range. The darkened wingtip is a helpful trait. Males often with the clypus yellow.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena prunorum: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_prunorum.
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
Western half of NA but has been collected MA Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
spring-summer
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Cockerell, 1896.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena prunorum. 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 prunorum (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by Hartmut Wisch , Ted Kropiewnicki , John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena prunorum
What is Andrena prunorum?
Andrena prunorum is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Andrena prunorum?
Variable in color across its range. The darkened wingtip is a helpful trait. Males often with the clypus yellow.
Where is Andrena prunorum found?
Range: Western half of NA but has been collected MA Discover Life Map
What does Andrena prunorum eat?
The diet of the Andrena prunorum includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Andrena prunorum active?
Andrena prunorum: seasonal activity - spring-summer.