# Panurginus Potentillae The Panurginus Potentillae is a tiny bee that loves to visit flowers! They are super important for helping plants grow by spreading pollen. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger - **Habitat:** Meadows, gardens, and areas with plenty of flowering plants. - **Also known as:** Flower Bee, Fuzzy Bee, Potentilla Bee ![Panurginus Potentillae](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Panurginus_potentilla%252C_m%252C_side%252C_prince_georges_county_2015-05-06-06.49.23_ZS_PMax_%2816867283034%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab from Beltsville, Maryland, USA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Panurginus_potentilla%252C_m%252C_side%252C_prince_georges_county_2015-05-06-06.49.23_ZS_PMax_%2816867283034%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Panurginus Potentillae is a small, slender bee, primarily black with sparse, pale hairs covering its thorax. Males can be distinguished by yellow markings on their faces. Females have specialized hairy patches on their hind legs for collecting pollen. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Andrenidae - **Genus:** Panurginus ## Interesting facts - Baby Panurginus Potentillae grow up all alone in their own private, underground chambers. - Each female Panurginus Potentillae builds her own nursery, making her a true independent bee. - These bees are often called 'mining bees' because they dig their homes underground! - They are super picky eaters, often visiting only yellow cinquefoil flowers for their meals. ## Special abilities - **Pollinator Power:** Panurginus Potentillae can transfer pollen between flowers because of their hairy bodies, which helps plants make seeds. - **Underground Architects:** Panurginus Potentillae can dig intricate tunnels in the ground because of their strong legs, which helps them build safe nests. - **Pollen Basket Mastery:** Panurginus Potentillae has specialized hairs on their legs that helps them efficiently gather and carry pollen back to their nests. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 10-16 mm - **Size:** 5-8 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 12 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 1 ## Diet & Feeding Tiny bees that sip nectar for energy and gather pollen for their young. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat pollen and nectar stored by their mother; adults forage for fresh food. - **Primary Foods:** Nectar, Pollen, Potentilla flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Creeping Cinquefoil](https://www.snappit.app/explore/creeping-cinquefoil) (*Potentilla reptans*) — Transfers pollen while feeding. - **Eaten by:** Garden Cross Spider (*Araneus diadematus*) — Caught in spider webs. - **Parasitizes:** Cuckoo Bee (*Sphecodes albilabris*) — Lays eggs in their nests. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Panurginus Potentillae? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Panurginus Potentillae's wingspan? 10-16 mm ### How big is Panurginus Potentillae? 5-8 mm ### How long does Panurginus Potentillae live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Panurginus Potentillae fly? 12 km/h ### What does Panurginus Potentillae eat? Tiny bees that sip nectar for energy and gather pollen for their young. ### Where is Panurginus Potentillae usually found? Meadows, gardens, and areas with plenty of flowering plants. ### How does Panurginus Potentillae hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Ashlawn Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashlawn-park) — Virginia, US · Park ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Panurginus Potentillae: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/panurginus-potentillae)