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Glite Dictionary
Andrenidae

Andrenidae

9.9
A group of solitary bees that dig nests in the ground
  • noun
  • /ˌændrəˈniːdə/
  • Specialized
: Andrenidae
  • Most members of the Andrenidae family prefer to nest in sandy soil where they dig deep burrows.

Examples

  • Unlike honeybees, Andrenidae are solitary and do not form colonies.

  • Many wildflowers are pollinated by species belonging to the Andrenidae family.

  • The Andrenidae family includes many species of bees.

  • Have you ever seen an Andrenidae bee in your garden?

  • Many wildflowers are pollinated by species belonging to the Andrenidae family.

  • Most members of the Andrenidae family prefer to nest in sandy soil where they dig deep burrows.

  • Unlike honeybees, Andrenidae are solitary bees and do not form colonies.

Surface Forms

Andrenidae singular
Andrenidaes plural

Morphology

Andrenidae = Andrena (opaque) = Andrena + idae

The suffix '-idae' is a specialized taxonomic ending meaning 'family of' and the combination is a Latinized scientific name not readily interpretable by average learners.

Etymology

Andrenidae comes from the bee genus Andrena plus the scientific ending -idae, which means an animal 'family'. So think of Andrenidae as the 'Andrena family', a name for a group of mostly short-tongued, ground-nesting solitary bees.