Range

• The genus Protandrena is distributed from Canada and the United States through Mexico, Central America, and into parts of South America.

• Numerous species occur throughout Mexico, including the Pacific coast of Guerrero and the Zihuatanejo region.

• Species occupy habitats from sea level to mountainous regions.

Habitat

• Inhabits tropical dry forests, grasslands, woodland edges, thorn scrub, secondary forests, orchards, gardens, agricultural fields, and open meadows.

• Females nest in well-drained sandy or loose soils, usually in sunny areas with sparse vegetation.

• Adults are commonly found visiting a wide variety of flowering plants.

Behaviour

• Solitary, with each female excavating and provisioning her own underground nest.

• Active during the day, collecting pollen and nectar from flowering plants.

• Some species are pollen specialists (oligolectic), while others forage from a broad range of flowers.

• Females construct individual brood cells, each supplied with a pollen mass before laying a single egg.

• Generally docile and rarely sting unless directly handled.

Size

• Body length: 5–10 mm (0.2–0.4 in)

• Females are usually slightly larger and more robust than males.