Protandrena passiflorae
This record describes Protandrena passiflorae (species). Recorded family: Andrenidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
- Panurginae
- Tribe
- Protandrenini
- Genus
- Protandrena
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
e. US - Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
Spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: only forages on Passiflora lutea per Holland and Lanza (2008) - host range per USDA
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Anthemurgus passiflorae Robertson 1902
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Protandrena passiflorae. 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 Protandrena passiflorae (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Mike Quinn , hg , antarctica
Frequently Asked Questions About Protandrena passiflorae
How big is Protandrena passiflorae?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 7 mm. |
| Male | 7 mm. |
Where is Protandrena passiflorae found?
Range: e. US - Discover Life Map
What does Protandrena passiflorae eat?
The diet of the Protandrena passiflorae includes only forages on Passiflora lutea per Holland and Lanza (2008) - host range per USDA.
When is Protandrena passiflorae active?
Protandrena passiflorae: seasonal activity - Spring.