Discovery of a Remarkable Pollinator Partnership

In a breakthrough that underscores the intricate bonds between native plants and pollinators, researchers from Washington State University have unveiled a new species of mining bee with an extraordinary dependence on a single Texas shrub. This finding not only expands our knowledge of bee diversity but also highlights the critical role of university-led research in uncovering hidden ecological relationships.

The bee, named Andrena cenizophila, translates literally to "lover of cenizo," reflecting its unique specialization. Unlike many generalist bees that forage across multiple plant species, this solitary ground-nester appears to rely exclusively on the pollen from Leucophyllum frutescens, commonly known as cenizo, Texas purple sage, or Texas Ranger. This shrub, the official state shrub of Texas, produces vibrant purple blooms triggered by rainfall, creating brief windows of abundance that the bee must exploit for survival.

Such oligolectic relationships—where a pollinator species specializes on one or few plant hosts—are rare among mining bees in the genus Andrena, which boasts nearly 1,800 species worldwide. This discovery positions A. cenizophila as the only known New World Andrena tied solely to the Scrophulariaceae family, offering fresh insights into evolutionary adaptations.

Profiling the Bee: Morphology and Habitat

Andrena cenizophila is a small mining bee, measuring less than an inch in length, with subtle morphological traits distinguishing it from relatives. Its body features, including antennae, wing venation, and male genitalia, were meticulously examined alongside DNA sequencing from leg samples. Phylogenomic analysis using ultraconserved elements placed it closest to A. nahua from central Mexico, within the subgenus Labergeia, which originated around 8 million years ago during the late Miocene.

The bee inhabits arid landscapes in southwestern Texas and central Coahuila, Mexico, where it nests in the ground—a typical trait for Andrena species. Despite extensive searches, no nests have been located yet, leaving questions about its full life cycle unanswered. Females carry scopal pollen loads almost purely from cenizo, confirmed through microscopic analysis, emphasizing this monophagy.

Cenizo thrives in rocky, limestone soils of the Chihuahuan Desert ecoregion, blooming profusely for about a week after rains, often multiple times a year in late spring through fall. This erratic phenology challenges the bee, which must synchronize its brood provisioning to these fleeting events.

Unraveling the Mystery: Research Methods and Collaboration

The path to naming A. cenizophila began decades ago when melittologist Jack Neff of the Central Texas Melittological Institute collected specimens. Silas Bossert, assistant professor of entomology at WSU, revived the effort with collaborators Wyatt Zabinski from the University of Kansas and Neff. They integrated morphology, genetics, and ecology: DNA barcoding resolved taxonomic placement, while field notes and pollen studies confirmed host specificity.

The peer-reviewed paper appeared in the Journal of Melittology on February 24, 2026, housed in WSU's M.T. James Entomological Collection and the Smithsonian. This multidisciplinary approach exemplifies modern taxonomy, blending museum specimens with genomic tools.

• Morphological analysis: Detailed dissection of body structures like the male genitalia and female facial fovea.
• Molecular phylogenetics: Ultraconserved elements for tree-building and divergence dating.
• Ecological validation: Pollen load microscopy and bloom timing observations.

Silas Bossert: Leading the Charge at WSU Entomology

Silas Bossert, an evolutionary biologist at WSU's Department of Entomology, specializes in native bee phylogeny and biogeography. His work spans global bee evolution, including a 2023 study tracing bees to ancient supercontinents. At WSU, Bossert leverages the university's robust pollinator program, which tackles honey bee declines amid 60-70% U.S. colony losses in recent years.

WSU's Entomology Department, part of the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, hosts the Honey Bees + Pollinators Program, featuring state-of-the-art labs and extension efforts. Bossert's discovery aligns with initiatives like pollen-mapping projects involving citizen scientists across Washington counties, fostering broader pollinator conservation.

"To our knowledge, this bee is the only mining bee in the world that is specifically focused on this one particular kind of shrub," Bossert noted, emphasizing the need for such cataloging amid biodiversity loss.

Photo by Ethan Wright-Magoon on Unsplash

The Rarity of Oligolecty in Mining Bees

Oligolecty, the specialization on limited host plants, evolved in bees to optimize foraging efficiency but heightens vulnerability. While common in some families like bees pollinating Asteraceae, it's unprecedented for Andrena on Scrophulariaceae. This co-evolution likely spans millions of years, mirroring the subgenus's Miocene origins.

In Texas, where pollinator declines mirror national trends—honey bee losses hit 62% in 2025 per surveys—specialists like A. cenizophila face amplified risks from habitat fragmentation and altered rainfall patterns disrupting blooms.

Texas Pollinators Under Pressure: Statistics and Trends

Texas hosts over 1,000 native bee species, but declines are stark: commercial honey bee losses reached 66% from June 2024, driven by droughts, pesticides, and Varroa mites. Native bees, less studied, suffer from urbanization in the Chihuahuan Desert, where cenizo grows. TPWD notes habitat loss as primary threat, with climate change shifting bloom timings.

WSU research contributes to national efforts, like Bee Informed Partnership surveys showing U.S. losses up to 70%.

Conservation Strategies for Cenizo and Its Bee

Protecting A. cenizophila requires safeguarding cenizo habitats. Texas Native Plant Society advocates planting natives in landscapes, while TPWD promotes pollinator gardens. In Mexico, similar arid zones face grazing pressures. Future steps include nest searches and monitoring bloom synchrony amid climate shifts.Texas Pollinator Management Guide offers actionable advice.

• Plant cenizo in xeriscapes to support specialists.
• Reduce pesticide use near blooms.
• Participate in citizen science like WSU pollen mapping.
• Advocate for habitat preservation in SW Texas.

Future Outlook: Unanswered Questions and Opportunities

Key mysteries persist: nesting habits, year-round survival, population status. Bossert's team plans further fieldwork. This discovery bolsters calls for native pollinator inventories, vital as managed bees falter. Universities like WSU drive solutions through genomics and ecology.

For higher ed, it exemplifies interdisciplinary research's value, training students in taxonomy amid biodiversity crises.

Photo by Sankalp Mudaliar on Unsplash

WSU's Broader Impact on Pollinator Science

WSU's program addresses honey bee woes while championing natives. Facilities support extension, educating on sustainable practices. Amid Texas declines paralleling national trends, such work informs policy and careers in entomology.

Stakeholders—from ranchers to researchers—benefit, fostering resilient ecosystems.