Andrenidae

/ændrɪˈneɪdi/ noun

Definition

A family of bees consisting mainly of solitary species, often ground-nesting, found worldwide and important for pollinating wild plants and crops.

Etymology

Scientific nomenclature: from genus Andrena plus '-idae' (suffix denoting an animal family). This grouping includes hundreds of bee species sharing common characteristics.

Kelly Says

Andrenidae represents about 1,900 bee species, yet most of them are so inconspicuous that even ecologists sometimes overlook them in surveys—they're doing the invisible work of pollinating crops and wildflowers while everyone obsesses over honeybees.

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