Recorded across broad parts of North America, with occurrence concentrated where suitable habitat is available.
Fine-art photographic collection
Andrena perplexa
A spring woodland bee timed to gather pollen before the forest canopy closes.
About this species
Perplexed Miner Bee
Andrena perplexaSmith, 1853
Information reviewed15 July 2026
Andrena perplexa is an eastern North American mining bee associated with the early spring flowering season. Females use pollen from several woody and herbaceous plant families, allowing them to exploit the short burst of resources in deciduous woodland.
Taxonomy
Animalia · Arthropoda · Insecta · Hymenoptera · Andrenidae · Andrena
Accepted species or infraspecific taxon in the current GBIF/Catalogue of Life treatment; unsupported details have been omitted rather than inferred. · checked 2026-07-15
North AmericaBroad documented range and selected occurrence localities — not a complete occurrence map.
Open or semi-open flower-rich habitat with suitable soil for nesting; exact preferences vary across the species range.
Seasonal and diurnal; the precise flight period varies with latitude and climate.
Adults take nectar; females collect pollen to provision brood cells.
Solitary ground-nesting bee; several females may nest close together.
What makes this species remarkable?
Its adult season is synchronised with spring-blooming trees and shrubs, so much of its annual reproduction is completed before full leaf-out darkens the forest floor.
Pollen records show females combining resources from groups such as roses, willows, dogwoods and irises rather than depending on one flower species.
Each female digs and provisions her own underground brood cells, yet suitable patches can hold many neighbouring burrows and look briefly like a bee village.