Euherbstia

Euherbstia is a genus of mining bees in the family Andrenidae.[1] The only species in this genus is Euherbstia excellens, which is endemic to Chile.[1][2]

Euherbstia
Euherbstia excellens Female
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Andrenidae
Subfamily:	Andreninae
Genus:	Euherbstia Friese, 1925
Species:	E. excellens
Binomial name
Euherbstia excellens Friese, 1925

These bees have been observed to make nests in hard, compact soil, using cracks to enter the ground below.[3] Females will make solitary nests.[3] The female seeks out cracks in the ground, in which she digs a tunnel down to make her nest.[2][3] She will repeatedly thump the walls of the tunnel with her abdomen, to make them more compact.[3] Like all mining bees, they will create cells which they fill with pollen and eggs, closing them off until the larvae pupate and emerge the next year.[2][3] Some larvae hibernate in a pupated state up to 2 years.[3] This is probably because these bees live in an arid climate, where it is uncertain whether it will rain enough in a year to sustain the plants they need for food.[3] As one generation of emerging adults might die because of drought, the next generation might survive, giving the species more chance of survival.

The name Euherbstia, (From Herbst, German[4]) is a reference to the activity of these bees, which is in the months of October and November.[3] Males, and females that have yet to build a nest, sleep overnight in convenient cracks in the soil.[3] Foraging activity peaks around midday.[3]

No cuckoo bee species seem to target the nests of Euherbstia.[3]