Images

Andrena asteroides, a late season aster specialist (thus the name). This species along with a number of other Andrena specialize on this group of plants, the rest of the Genus Andrena are primarily spring flower specialists. Note the very dense pollen carrying hairs on the hind femur. Wayne Boo took this picture.

Andrena asteroides, a late season aster specialist (thus the name). This species along with a number of other Andrena specialize on this group of plants, the rest of the Genus Andrena are primarily spring flower specialists. Note the very dense pollen carrying hairs on the hind femur. Wayne Boo took this picture.

Andrena asteroides "“ A male undoubtedly caught on one of the Frost Asters in Prince George's County, Maryland. Photographed by Wayne Boo

Andrena atlantica. One of over 100 Andrena species in the Mid-Atlantic area. The male of this species does not have a positive means of being identified from A. alleghaniensis. Some needs to figure this out along with many other things. Photo by Sydney Price.

Andrena banksi, female

Andrena banksi, male

Regionally common to sometimes even abundant, this is one of the larger Andrena of the spring. It can occur in almost any habitat, gathering pollen from a wide variety of the hugely abundant pollen and nectar sources that occur in Woodlands and surrounding scrub lands.

A rather pollen riddled specimen, this uncommon (at least in Maryland) species is uniquely outfit with a long-strap like labral process...for those of you who are technically inclined.

One of quite a number of spring Andrena that occur throughout North America, this one is Andrena barbilabris. It collects pollen from quite a number of different plant groups, doesn't seem to have a specialty among them.

One of quite a number of spring Andrena that occur throughout North America, this one is Andrena barbilabris. It collects pollen from quite a number of different plant groups, doesn't seem to have a specialty among them.

Andrena barbilabris "“ A male captured in Howard County, Picture taken by Brooke Alexander

Andrena bisalicis, female, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, SC, Chesterfield County

Andrena braccata

From a study of woodland bees in the mid-Atlantic area comes this small, somewhat obscure, Andrena found in a woodland in Caroline County, Maryland. For some reason, a number of males in the genus Andrena have yellow on their faces, while the females do not.

As its name implies, Andrena caerulae, is a bee with a deep blue shimmer to its skin. Unlike the plain black models of most of the other 500+ species of Andrena this species stands out, making identification a bit easier.

Hardy County, West Virginia

More from Yosemite National Park. Hmmm, that color, so blue, reminds me of famously blue bees such as Ceratina and Osmia...but, in this case, we are looking at Andrena chapmanae...one of the rare Andrena that are a strong metallic blue. I have to say that the combination of this midnight blue and deeply dark brown is very attractive.

More from Yosemite National Park. Hmmm, that color, so blue, reminds me of famously blue bees such as Ceratina and Osmia...but, in this case, we are looking at Andrena chapmanae...one of the rare Andrena that are a strong metallic blue. I have to say that the combination of this midnight blue and deeply dark brown is very attractive.

An Andrena bee that knows how to dress. Black hairs throughout with fluorescent orange pollen carrying hairs and a topmast of off-white. This is a northern / arctic species that occurs worldwide. Recent discoveries have shown its distribution extends to high elevations in West Virginia (thank you Jane).This specimen is from Maine (thank you Alison).

Jackson County, South Dakota, Badlands National Park

Jackson County, South Dakota, Badlands National Park