Andrena regularis
This record describes Andrena regularis (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Female: Clypeus uniformly punctate, lacking median impunctate line (such a line conspicuous in carlini) and pygidial plate strongly narrowed (broader in carlini)
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
Favors blueberry barrens
Geographic Range
Best known from Eastern Canada and Northeastern USA. Less common than A. carlini southward Discover Life Global Map
Seasonal Activity
Spring
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.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena regularis. 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 regularis (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Ted Kropiewnicki; Additional contributions by John S. Ascher , hg , PaleoJon
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena regularis
What is Andrena regularis?
Andrena regularis is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How do you identify Andrena regularis?
Female: Clypeus uniformly punctate, lacking median impunctate line (such a line conspicuous in carlini) and pygidial plate strongly narrowed (broader in carlini)
Where is Andrena regularis found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Favors blueberry barrens |
| Range | Best known from Eastern Canada and Northeastern USA. Less common than A. carlini southward Discover Life Global Map |
What does Andrena regularis eat?
The diet of the Andrena regularis 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 regularis active?
Andrena regularis: seasonal activity - Spring.