Andrena wilkella
This record describes Andrena wilkella (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Introduced long ago from Europe, possibly from transportation of its ground nests in ships' ballast. It flies into summer, when few native Andrena are flying.
Wikipedia reference for Andrena wilkella: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrena_wilkella.
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
Eastern USA and Europe. It keeps expanding its range (it has been collected in N.Mexico and Arizona). From Nova Scotia through Quebec and the New England states to Wisconsin, eastward through Ohio to Virginia and Maryland. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
April to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: most often collects pollen from clover and sweet clover (Fabaceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
It nests singly (Chambers, 1949) or in large aggregations (Perkins, 1919). It over-winters as a larva or prepupa (Meidell, 1967). Males are often seen flying in large numbers about the foliage.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Author: Kirby, 1802.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Andrena wilkella. 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 wilkella (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by Tony DiTerlizzi; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , John S. Ascher , hg
Frequently Asked Questions About Andrena wilkella
What is Andrena wilkella?
Andrena wilkella is a species in the family Andrenidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Andrena wilkella?
Female: 10-12 mm. Male 9-11 mm.
Where is Andrena wilkella found?
Range: Eastern USA and Europe. It keeps expanding its range (it has been collected in N.Mexico and Arizona). From Nova Scotia through Quebec and the New England states to Wisconsin, eastward through Ohio to Virginia and Maryland. Discover Life Map
What does Andrena wilkella eat?
The diet of the Andrena wilkella includes most often collects pollen from clover and sweet clover (Fabaceae). The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Andrena wilkella active?
Andrena wilkella: seasonal activity - April to August..
What is the life cycle of a Andrena wilkella?
It nests singly (Chambers, 1949) or in large aggregations (Perkins, 1919). It over-winters as a larva or prepupa (Meidell, 1967). Males are often seen flying in large numbers about the foliage.