Nesting Biology of Andrena ( Larandrena ) miserabihs Cresson and 
Description of the Prepupa (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae) 
Beth B. Norden and Aubrey G. Scarbrough 
Department of Biological Sciences, Towson State University, 
Baltimore, Maryland 21204 
ABSTRACT. — Andrena ( Larandrena ) miserabihs Cresson was found nesting 
in the sandy soil of the amphitheater in Highlands Hammock State 
Park, Highlands County, Florida. Observations were made on 31 
December 1975, 1-3 January 1977, and 4-7 March 1977. Circular tumuli 
marked nest entrances and an average density of 11 nests per 15 cm 2 
area was found. Nest tunnels were ca. 5 mm in diameter and extended 
from 28.5 cm to 47.0 cm deep. A single cell ca. 5.7 mm in diameter was 
constructed, lined, and provisioned. Pollen balls averaging 2.9 mm in 
diameter were dark yellow and consisted of Acer rubrum pollen. Prepupa 
were cream-colored, C-shaped, and 5.2 mm to 7.3 mm long. Sphecodes sp. 
and Solenopsis sp. were found in association with the nesting bees, and 
evidence of nest destruction by the armadillo, Dasypus novemcinctus, was 
noted. 
Although the Holarctic genus Andrena is a common, extensive tax- 
onomic group, little is known about the biology of many species (Rozen 
1973, Davis and LaBerge 1975). A large colony of Andrena ( Larandrena ) 
miserabihs Cresson in Florida provided an opportunity to observe nest 
biology on 31 December 1975, 1-3 January 1977, and 4-7 March 1977. 
Adults and larvae also were collected during these visits for later 
laboratory examination. All specimens retained are in the Entomology 
Collection, Towson State University. 
Study Site. — Andrena miserabihs was nesting in the soil of the 
amphitheater in Highlands Hammock State Park, Highlands County, 
Florida. The amphitheater consists of an oblong clearing ca. 9.0 m X 15.0 
m in the mature hardwood hammock. It contains 12 rows of wooden 
benches (Fig. 1) and is surrounded by hydric hammock dominated by 
broadleaved evergreen trees including Liqmdamber styraciflua, Persa 
palustns, Godoma lasianthus, Ulmus flondana, Nyssa sylvatica, Sabal palmetto , 
and Citrus aurantium. Epiphytes of the genera Epidendrum, Tillandsia , and 
Polypodium are common on the trunks and limbs. All nests were located 
within the clearing, 2 to 3 m inward from the peripheral vegetation, and 
this was the only nesting site found within the park. 
Nests of A. miserabihs were scattered throughout the clearing, beneath 
Brimleyana No. 2: 141-146. November 1979 
141 
