In Minnesota, there are ten described species within the genus Protandrena. Some species formerly within the genus Pseudopanurgus were recently reclassified and placed in the genus Protandrena. Collectively, the ten species in Minnesota are active from late June until the end of September. Seven species are pollen specialists (oligoleges), and all but one specialize on plant genera in the family Asteraceae. Their pollen host plants include sunflower (Helianthus), goldenrod (Solidago, Euthamia), black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia), goldenaster (Heterotheca), fleabane (Erigeron), and gumweed (Grindelia) as well as New Jersey tea (Ceanothus) within the family Rhamnaceae. 

All species in this genus nest in the ground; in Minnesota, it is likely that all Protandrena have solitary nests. Protandrena are dark, relatively hairless bees with gray-green eyes. Protandrena males have white or yellow facial markings, one characteristic helpful for identification. However, identifying species by photograph or in the field is usually not possible.