Andrena - Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists` Society

Transcription

Andrena bees of
Norfolk
Identification Guide
Andrena bees occur in all continents
except Australia and Antarctica. Over 1400
species have been described worldwide,
with 67 in the British Isles. 44 Andrena
species have been recorded in Norfolk, of
which 41 have been seen post-2000. The
term ‘mining bee’ derives from their habit of
making nest holes in the ground. Pollen is
carried by hairs on the hind legs and also
within curved hairs under the propodeum.
Some Andrena species collect pollen from
just one plant family, such as Willows, and
are termed oligolectic, whereas others
use a wide range of pollen sources and are
termed polylectic. The short tongue
generally limits Andrenas to flowers with a
short corolla as a nectar source. The time
of year a bee is seen and the flowers it
visits can often assist with identification.
Bee Genera
All bees, except for parasitic bees, carry pollen back to their nests for feeding
larvae. In the British Isles, only Bumblebees and Honeybees have a true pollen
basket on the hind tibia. A pollen basket is a broad shiny area with a row of
long hairs on each side, which holds a pellet of pollen. Most other bees,
including Andrenas, carry pollen on specialised areas of hair called a scopa,
meaning a brush. The hairs of bees are unique amongst insects in being
feathery, a feature which assists in trapping pollen grains on the scopa.
Other Norfolk bee genera with a scopa on their legs (so could be confused with
Andrena) are: Anthidium, Anthophora, Colletes, Halictus, Lasioglossum,
and Melitta.
Colletes and Melitta are the genera most likely to be confused with Andrena.
Colletes bees differ from Andrena in having a small head with a bi-lobed
tongue and most have distinctive marginal bands on the abdomen. There are
also small differences in wing venation.
Melitta are very similar to Andrena, but have a swollen final tarsus joint.
Andrena also differ from Melitta in having a facial fovea: the face inside the
eyes is depressed and lined with velvety hairs, though this does not always
show in a photograph.
Bee Genera cont.
Halictus and Lasioglossum have a ‘rima’ on the end of the abdomen – a
mark rather like a hair parting, though this can be hard to see. Anthidium
and Anthophora are distinctive, large, round-shaped bees, mostly with long
tongues.
Chelostoma, Heriades, Hoplitis, Osmia, and Megachile bees are easily
distinguished from Andrena because they carry pollen beneath the
abdomen, while Bombus and Apis carry pollen on their hind legs but in a
pollen basket. Hylaeus bees and the parasitic genera Coelioxys,
Epeolus, Melecta, Nomada and Sphecodes and have no pollen-carrying
hairs.
Bee genera
There are 27 genera of bees represented in the UK. The images below show examples of each of the 27 genera, of which 24 occur in
Norfolk. Eucera is presumed extinct in Norfolk and Ceratina and Xylocopa have not yet been recorded in the county, but might soon turn up.
The number of species of each genus currently present in the county is shown in brackets. Note that sizes of bees are not to scale.
Andrena (40)
Coelioxys(4)
Hoplitis (1)
Nomada (19)
Anthidium (1)
Colletes (8)
Hylaeus (8)
Osmia (6)
Anthophora (4)
Dasypoda (1)
Lasioglossum (22)
Panurgus (2)
Bombus (18)
Apis (1)
Eucera (0)
Epeolus (2)
Macropis(1)
Megachile (7)
Sphecodes(13)
Ceratina (0) T.Benton
Halictus (3)
Melecta (1)
Stelis (3) M.Fogden
Chelostoma (2)
Heriades(1)
Melitta (3)
Xylocopa (0)
Andrena bees compared with a Honeybee (Apis)
Andrena
bees
often
look
superficially like a Honeybee and
some are almost as large, being up
to 15mm in length, whereas the
smallest are only about 7mm. Size
varies greatly even within a species
depending on the supply of pollen to
each larva. Females are generally
larger than males.
Andrena bees, along with some
other solitary bee genera, carry
pollen along the length of the hind
legs and under the thorax (above),
unlike
Honeybees (below) and
Bumblebees which have a well
defined pollen basket on the hind
tibia.
Identifying Andrenas
On first acquaintance all Andrena bees look rather similar. This guide attempts
to introduce them to the general naturalist, based on the author’s studies in
Norfolk over the past 5 years. With the assistance of a digital camera it is
possible to identify a good number of the 40 or so Norfolk species, and some
can be identified in the field, especially when they are newly emerged. Those
who become really interested might take their studies further using a stereo
microscope to study pinned specimens, using keys.
Females are usually easier to identify than
males. The Andrena illustrated is a female
because she is carrying pollen. Females
have shorter antennae than males with 12
segments as opposed to 13 – sometimes
possible to see in a good image. Behaviour
often gives a clue to the sex of a bee, with
females collecting pollen and making
nests, while males patrol for females or
wait to mate at nest sites.
Naming Andrenas
Very few Andrenas have a
common name. One exception
is the attractive Tawny Mining
Bee, Andrena fulva, which is
often seen making a nest on
lawns or visiting blossom.
Names have recently been
invented for many solitary
bees, but here only scientific
names will be used.
Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva female on
apple blossom, Weybourne 7th May 2010
Index and Phenology of Norfolk's Andrenas.
A dark square denotes overlap of first and second broods. Brackets = not recorded post-2000
Norfolk
Slide
status
F M A M J Jy A S O N Notes
Andrena alfkenella
Andrena angustior
(Andrena argentata)
Andrena barbilabris
Andrena bicolor
Andrena bimaculata
Andrena chrysosceles
Andrena cineraria
Andrena clarkella
Andrena coitana
Andrena denticulata
Andrena dorsata
Andrena flavipes
Andrena fucata
Andrena fulva
Andrena fuscipes
Andrena haemorrhoa
Andrena hattorfiana
Andrena helvola
Andrena humilis
(Andrena labialis)
Andrena labiata
Andrena marginata
Andrena minutula
(Andrena minutuloides)
Andrena nigriceps
Andrena nigroaenea
Andrena nigrospina
Andrena nitida
Andrena ovatula
(Andrena pilipes)
Andrena praecox
Andrena proxima
Andrena scotica
Andrena semilaevis
Andrena subopaca
Andrena synadelpha
Andrena tarsata
Andrena thoracica
Andrena tibialis
Andrena tridentata
Andrena trimmerana
Andrena varians
Andrena wilkella
12
14
16
17
20
24
28
30
33
36
39
41
44
47
49
51
55
58
62
64
68
69
72
78
80
81
83
87
89
91
87
96
99
100
104
106
108
111
113
115
117
118
121
124
RDB3
Rare
Extinct?
Scarce
Scarce
Rare
Scarce
RDB2
Scarce
Extinct?
Na
Na
Scarce
Scarce
Rare
Rare
RDB3
Extinct UK?
Scarce
Rare
Chalk
Cuckoo bee parasites (ref BWARS & Bees of
Surrey, Baldock)
? None recorded
Nomada fab riciana
Calluna
Nomada b accata
Sphecodes pellucidus
harebell (2nd)
Nomada fab riciana
Nomada fulvicornis
Apiaceae
Nomada fab riciana
Nomada lathb urniana & goodeniana
Sallow
Nomada leucopthalma
Nomada ob tusifrons & rob erjeotiana
yellow Asteraceae
Nomada rufipes
? None recorded
Nomada fucata
Nomada panzeri
Nomada panzeri & signata
Calluna
Nomada rufipes
Nomada ruficornis
Scabious
Nomada armata (extinct Nfk?)
? None recorded
Asteraceae
Nomada integra [not recorded Nfk]
Fabaceae
Sphecodes rub icundus
Germander Speedwell Nomada guttulata
Scab ious
Nomada argentata
Nomada flavoguttata?
Nomada flavoguttata
? None recorded
Nomada flava, fab riciana, goodeniana
Nomada goodeniana
Nomada goodeniana
Heathland/sandy soils ? None recorded
? None recorded
Sallow
Nomada ferruginata
Apiaceae
Nomada conjugens
Nomada flava, goodeniana, marshamella
Nomada flavoguttata
Nomada flavoguttata
Nomada panzeri
Tormentil
Nomada rob erjeotiana [not recorded Nfk]
Nomada goodeniana & fulvicornis
Willows
Nomada fulvicornis
Asteraceae
?
Nomada marshamella
Blackthorn etc
Nomada fab riciana, ferruginata, panzeri
Nomada striata
alfkenella
argentata
angustior
barbilabris
bicolor
bimaculata
cineraria
clarkella
coitana
chrysosceles
denticulata
dorsata
flavipes
fucata
fulva
fuscipes
haemorrhoa
hattorfiana
helvola
humilis
labiata
marginata
minutula
minutuloides?
nigriceps
nigroaenea
nitida
ovatula
praecox
semilaevis
scotica
subopaca
synadelpha
tarsata
thoracica
tibialis
trimmerana
varians
wilkella
Outwell Fens
Caistor Quarry
Weybourne Camp (MS)
Overstrand/Mundesley cliffs
Brundall garden (TS)
Weybourne garden (Author)
Ditchingham garden (DC)
Holt Hall
Strumpshaw Fen (TS)
Norwich Rosary Cemetery (TS)
Swanton Novers Great Wood
Sheringham Park
Cranwich
Caudlesprings (GN)
Stanta
Foulden Common
Cut off channel
Warham Camp
Abbey Farm Flitcham (EC)
Royden Common (MA)
Beeston Common (FF)
Mousehold Heath
Buxton Heath
Kelling Heath
Blakeney Point
Oligolectic species
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Andrena
Total spp.
4
1
1
9
19
12
5
9
2
4
8
21
13
4
14
5
19
6
2
5
2
5
18
1
2
18
15
4
10
12
16
10
7
1
9
9
3
2
6
Heather
Sallows
Yellow Asteraceae
Heather
Scabious
Yellow Asteraceae
Scabious
Sallows
Tormentil
1
20 9
18 19 14 15 7
16 10 12 17 20 10 12 14 17 8
7
11 17 7
18 13 4
Dunes
Heathland
Calcareous grassland
Wet commons
Mixed acidic and alkaline heaths
Woodland
Silt fen farmland
Gardens
River valley dry woodland
Soft cliffs & quarries
Andrena species recorded at various Norfolk sites
In the species accounts below, ease of identification
of the female is given by
•
•
•
F = identifiable in the field
P = identifiable from a good image
M = only identifiable using a microscope
A guide to size is given as: very small, small, medium or large. Size
is very variable within each species.
All images are by the author unless otherwise credited. All the
author’s live images were taken in the field in natural conditions
and were not chilled or anaesthetised.
Distribution maps are based on casual records to at least tetrad
level held in the county database by the County Recorder, Tim
Strudwick, and not on systematic surveys. Knowledge is still very
incomplete.
Some technical terms are used without definition, hoping that
readers can find out what they mean if necessary! The guide was
originally conceived as a book so is rather on the large side!
Copyright
Text, maps and artwork copyright Nick Owens
Andrena alfkenella (M. Very small – 8mm - Micrandrena group)
Females differ from the very similar and
much commoner Andrena minutula in
having punctures on T2 and T3, and the
wing stigma is brown rather than black.The
body hairs are white, including pale bands
on the sides of the margins of the tergites,
similar to those in Andrena minutula.
Males are also distinguishable from
Andrena minutula on the basis of clearer
punctures on the tergites, though male
Andrena minutula can be somewhat
punctured.
Andrena alfkenella female (above) and male (below), chalk
grassland, Sandringham area, 23rd July 2014. [Validated GE]
Andrena alfkenella cont.
Flight times two brooded: a male was
recorded in west Norfolk on 10th April 2014,
with all other county records occurring in July
or August (latest record 3 females on 31st
August so probably extending into September).
Andrena alfkenella
4
3
2
1
0
Distribution scarce, recorded in the Brecks,
the Cut-off Channel (= sandy chalk) and on
chalk grassland in the Sandringham area.
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Habitat appears to be confined to chalk
grassland in the county. Males observed
swarming round wild parsnip on 23rd July 2014.
Flowers visited pollen loads included
Hogweed, ?Wild Parsnip and several other
species.
Nesting behaviour not recorded.
Parasites no information.
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena angustior (M Small)
Females have a mixture of dark and
pale hairs on the clypeus, with some
dark hairs between the antennae and
the thorax has reddish brown hair. Tibia
hairs are pale and there are indistinct
pale marginal hair bands on the
abdomen. T5 and T6 have black hair.
Both sexes have wide marginal areas
on the abdomen.
Males have long overlapping mandibles
but without a flange at the base. The
clypeus has pale hairs and there are
some black hairs along the margins of
the eyes. The abdomen has sparse long
pale hairs, longest on tergites 1-3, and
the marginal areas are shiny.
Andrena angustior female on Creeping Buttercup (above)
and pinned male (below) Kelling Heath 24th May 2012
Andrena angustior cont.
Andrena angustior
Flight times: May-June
4
Distribution it was recorded on
Mousehold Heath in 1873, but
with no further county records
until it was discovered on Kelling
Heath in May 2012, where a
population appeared near the car
park. A female was recorded at
Costessey in June 2015 (TS).
Habitat heathland with scattered
shrubs of rowan, gorse, birch and
hawthorn.
Flowers visited seen taking
pollen from Creeping Buttercup,
Kelling Heath.
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Nesting behaviour: observed entering
a hole amongst loose bracken litter on
Kelling Heath.
Parasites Nomada fabriciana
(BWARS).
Andrena argentata F Medium
EA Atmore reports in Transactions 1909 p.823 ‘King’s Lynn:
abundant but very local. There are large colonies in a few
restricted spots’.
The only record since then is of one male recorded by Michael
Archer on Roydon Common in the 1990s. The species may still
be present there. A. argentata is a southern species which nests
colonially in loose sand. It uses Heather pollen and can be
recognised by the distinct white bands on its abdomen. A
detailed search is needed to discover if this species still occurs
in the county.
Andrena barbilabris P/M Medium
Females have pale clypeal hairs
and rich brown hair on the thorax.
The tibial hairs are blackish and
the
abdomen
has
narrow
interrupted white bands.
Andrena barbilabris female with pollen load,
Kelling Heath, 18th May 2010. She is covered in
sand grains from burrowing.
Males look fluffy with long whitish
hairs on the face, including a
fringe of white hairs hanging over
the mandibles. There are a few
black hairs along the margins of
the eyes. The abdomen is narrow
with interrupted white hair bands
on the margins, and the legs are
black.
Andrena barbilabris male, Kelling Heath 2nd May
2011
Andrena barbilabris cont.
Distribution widespread in sandy
places in warm microhabitats.
Mating attempt by male Andrena barbilabris, resisted by
female: Stanta 9th April 2011.
Flight times April – June
Habitat The species is found on
heathland, coastal sites, railway
banks, river banks and sandy
paths.
Colonies
sometimes
number in the hundreds. Nests
are usually made in loose sand,
where the nest burrows can
collapse on departure. Returning
females burrowing for their nest
entrances are often pounced
upon by males, which attempt to
mate, even when the female has
a pollen load. These females
usually buzz and try to shake
them
off,
but
the
males
sometimes pursue them down
their burrows.
Andrena barbilabris
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena barbilabris cont.
Flowers visited Polylectic including
Sallow.
Nesting
behaviour
nests
in
aggregations on level or slightly
sloping bare sandy ground, eg on the
sides of tracks and pathways. Males
patrol low along the edges of
vegetation and bask on bare ground.
See video BWARS website – buzzes
wings to push into soft sand.
Parasites Sphecodes pellucidus is
usually present at nest aggregations
of A. barbilabris and is one of the few
Sphecodes species to parasitise an
Andrena. Sphecodes reticulatus may
also be a parasite (BWARS).
Oil beetle Meloe proscarabaceus.
Triungulin larva of Meloe scarabaceus on male Andrena
barbilabris. Geoff Nobes (right).
Sphecodes pellucidus female searching a nest of
Andrena barbilabris, Kelling Heath 20th April 2015
Andrena bicolor F Small
Females have black hairs on the
clypeus and the abdomen bears rich red
brown hair. The hind femur and tibia
have long yellowish-orange hairs. There
are black hairs on all other leg parts,
beneath the wings and at the tip of the
abdomen. The tergites have pale, poorly
defined, marginal hair bands. Summer
brood females have paler hair beneath
the wings and between the antennae.
Males are usually rather small and thin,
with bushy black hairs on the clypeus.
There are indistinct pale hair bands at
the edges of the tergites.
Andrena bicolor female on Ranunculus ficaria, Beeston
Common 24th March 2015 (above)
Andrena bicolor male (faded) on Trifolium sp. Swanton Novers
9th August 2012 (left)
Andrena bicolor cont.
Flight times March – August in
two broods
Andrena bicolor
4
3
Distribution
One
of
the
commonest
early
spring
Andrenas. On March 9th 2014
hundreds of Andrena bicolor were
flying in Swanton Novers woods.
This was the first warm day of the
year, with temperatures reaching
19oC. Males and females were
present in about equal numbers
but at this stage none of the
females was carrying pollen. A
few males of its bee parasite,
Nomada fabriciana, were also on
the wing.
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Habitat
woodland
rides,
waysides, field margins, scrub.
gardens,
Flowers
visited
Angelica,
Apple,
Bramble, Celandine, Hedge Parsley,
Hogweed, Lesser Trefoil, Primrose,
Sallow, Tormentil,
Nesting behaviour observed entering
nest holes in a sloping bank beside
Weybourne beach, in compacted glacial
material, and several females occupied a
purpose made bank made of gravelly
substrate on Beeston Common.Nesting
also seen at Walsey Hills in gravelly
slightly sloping ground.
Parasites Nomada fabriciana (BWARS)
Andrena bicolor female at nest site,
Walsey Hills 12th April 2015 (above right)
Nomada fabriciana female Cambridge 24th March 2012. Note
two-coloured antennae and white hair tufts on the propodeum
(below right).
Andrena bicolor summer brood female on Tormentil.
Buxton Heath 20th July 2015. Note paler hair below
wings and on upper parts of head.
Andrena bicolor female at nest site, Beeston Common
14th March 2015
Andrena bimaculata P/M Large
This species was divided into three
in Bridgman’s 19thC collection in
the Norwich Castle Museum as A.
bimaculata, A. decorata and A.
vitrea, but it was later recognised
that these three taxa in fact
represented just one, with slight
differences between the first and
second broods.
Females have mixed dark and pale
clypeal hairs. The hairs on the
thorax and tibia are pale and there
are pale hair fringes to the margins
of the tergites. Some individuals
have red markings on the first two
tergites of the abdomen, giving the
species its name.
Andrena bimaculata second brood female, red form, on
Bramble, Kelling Heath 13th July 2015
Andrena bimaculata cont.
Males have long black hairs on the
clypeus and round the antennae, with
some brown hairs on top of the head.
There are long brown hairs on the
thorax. The abdomen has pale
marginal hair bands with black hairs
on the last two segments. Some
males have a reddish margin to the
first tergite.
Andrena bimaculata first brood female without red
markings on Smyrnium olusatrum, Walsey Hills 18th
April 2015
Andrena bimaculata male, Kelling Heath 23rd March
2011
Flight times two broods: early April –
June and July – August.
Andrena bimaculata
4
3
Distribution a local species found on
heathland,
sandy
soils
around
Norwich and near the coast. It is close
to the northern edge of its range in
Norfolk. Bridgman 1879, in his
published 1876 Presidential Address,
notes that Andrena bimaculata
‘literally swarmed, not only on
Mousehold, but all around Norwich’
Habitat sandy soils, heathland.
Flowers visited Alexanders, Bramble,
Sallow, White Bryony.
Nesting
observed.
behaviour
no
nests
Andrena bimaculata worn male, Kelling Heath 8th June 2011
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (BWARS)
Nomada fulvicornis male, Beeston Common 03.05.2015. This
species has a black line dividing the yellow band on both first
and second tergites, just discernable through the wings.
Andrena bimaculata using mandibles to break up Bramble
anthers, Kelling Heath 13th July 2015
Andrena chrysosceles P Medium
Females have pale hairs on the
clypeus and sparse brown hair on the
thorax. The hind tibia is red as are
the tarsi on all legs. The hairs on the
legs are pale. There are narrow white
marginal hair bands on the abdomen
and reddish hairs at the tip of the
abdomen.
Males have a cream patch on the
face. All tibiae are red together with
the terminal part of the hind tarsus.
The abdomen has diffuse white
marginal hair bands. There are pale
reddish hairs on the tip of the abdomen.
A. chrysosceles female (Geoff Nobes). Note red tibia and
tarsus of hind leg and tibia of other legs (above).
Andrena chrysosceles male, Fowlmere Cambridgeshire, 17th
April 2015. Note red tarsi on all legs and largely red hind tarsus
in this individual (below).
Andrena chrysosceles cont.
Andrena chrysosceles
Flight times March – June
4
Distribution
Widely
scattered
records in the county, but probably
under-recorded.
3
2
1
0
Habitat
parkland,
clearings, churchyards.
woodland
9
8
Flowers visited Bramble : known to
be polylectic.
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Nesting behaviour no records
Parasites A stylopised male from
Emneth Hungate 2012 had a much
reduced white face patch. A
stylopised female was also collected
in the county. Nomada fabriciana is
reported as a parasite of this Andrena
(BWARS).
Andrena chrysosceles female on Bramble. Felbrigg 20th June 2014
Andrena cineraria F Large
Females are unmistakable, being
generally black, with grey/white hair bands
on the collar and scutellum and white hairs
on the clypeus.
Males have long white hair on the
clypeus and thorax. The abdomen
is black and shining with white hair
tufts at the sides of each tergite.
Andrena cineraria male (Geoff Nobes)
Andrena cineraria female, Kelling Heath, 27th April 2011
Andrena cineraria cont.
Andrena cineraria
4
3
Distribution there is only one pre-2000
record for Norfolk (1997, West Harling), but
it is now widespread in the county.
2
1
0
Habitat Woodland, gardens and parkland
.
Flowers visited reported as polylectic.
Gorse reported as commonly used in
Norfolk (Strudwick 2012).
Nesting behaviour Nesting aggregations
were found in short, hard-packed
grassland on chalk, including at Caste Acre
and Flitcham. An individual nest was in
sandy ground on Kelling Heath. In France
the author has seen nesting aggregations
on hard bare ground beneath roadside
trees and in lawns.
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena cineraria female on Angelica, Down House,
Kent, 1th June 2015
Andrena cineraria cont.
Parasites A female loaded with pollen
attracted a shadow fly (Miltogramma
sp.) on Kelling Heath, May 2015.
Nomada lathburiana (present in the
county but scarce) and N. goodeniana
(BWARS).
Andrena cineraria female, Le Crotoy, France, 13th
April 2012, entering nest hole in a lawn, which was
part of a nesting aggregation
Nomada lathburiana female, Le Crotoy, France,
12th April 2012
Andrena clarkella F Large
Females have black hairs on the
clypeus, golden brown hair on the
upper thorax, grading to black
beneath. The hind tibia and tarsus
are translucent orange bearing
golden brown hairs, but all other leg
parts have black hair. The abdomen
has a covering of black hairs with
indistinct paler marginal bands.
Males have pale hairs on the
clypeus, orange brown hair on the
thorax and pale marginal bands on
the abdomen. The legs are black.
Andrena clarkella female (above) and male (below) recently
emerged at nest site on Beeston Common, 19th March 2012.
Andrena clarkella cont.
Flight times Feb – April. Bees appear
on the first warm days of spring when
temperatures reach about 15oC. They
appear slightly later than Andrena
bicolor in Swanton Novers woods.
Andrena clarkella
4
3
2
1
Distribution
distributed.
widespread
but
thinly
0
9
8
Habitat woodland, scrub, heathland and
parkland.
Flowers visited Sallow catkins (male
and female) and possibly Hazel.
Andrena clarkella female, Beeston Common 19th March 2012.
This female’s pollen load looks shiny, probably owing to addition
of nectar. Most pollen loads lack this however.
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena clarkella cont.
Nesting behaviour nests in aggregations
in banks and root plates, often but not
always on sloping or vertical surfaces.
They can use woodland sites which
become shaded after leaf emergence.
Males patrol nest aggregations as well as
sunny branches and tree trunks.
Parasites Nomada leucophthalma and
Shadow Fly Miltogramma sp.
Nomada leucophthalma female Kelling Heath 19.05.2010
Andrena clarkella female in nest hole with attendant shadow fly
Miltrogramma sp. Kelling Heath 20th April 2015 (left).
Andrena coitana M Small
Females have pale hair on the clypeus
and on the thorax. The hind tibia has dark
hairs above and white hairs below and the
abdomen has interrupted white marginal
bands on tergites 2-4.
Males have a white area on the clypeus
and a covering of white hairs on the thorax
and legs. The tergites are shiny with
prominent
marginal
bands,
slightly
narrowed at the centre.
Andrena coitana female. P. Saunders. (above).
Andrena coitana male. Note the white patch on the
clypeus. Le Crotoy N. France 4th July 2015 (below).
Andrena coitana cont.
Andrena coitana
Flight times June - July.
4
3
Distribution scarce in Norfolk with only
three post-2000 records: two in the Brecks
and one at Beeston Common. Probably
overlooked.
2
1
0
9
8
Habitat scrub and heathland
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited observed on Bramble in
Wales and France.
Nesting behaviour Not observed.
Parasites Nomada obtusifrons (no county
records since 19thC) (BWARS).
Andrena coitana male. Le Crotoy N. France 4th
July 2015 (below).
Andrena coitana cont.
Andrena coitana females: K. Durrant collection Norwich Castle
Museum.
Andrena denticulata P/M Medium
and long pale hair on the thorax mixed with
some dark hairs (distinguishing it from
Andrena flavipes which has only pale hairs
on the thorax). The hind tibia has stiff dark
hairs on the upper surface which are
shorter than the width of the tibia, and pale
hairs below. (The tibial hairs are much
shorter than those of Andrena flavipes).
There are prominent white hair bands on
the margins of the abdomen.
Males have pale hair on the clypeus, long
curved mandibles and a ridge running
behind each eye. There is a mixture of pale
and black hairs on the thorax (as in the
female) and pale marginal bands on the
tergites, less pronounced than those in the
female.
Andrena denticulata female on fleabane 27th August 2012
Swanton Novers Great Wood (upper) and male on ragwort,
Cranwich 27th July 2015 (lower). Note the ridges on the head
behind each eye in the male.
Andrena denticulata cont.
Andrena denticulata
Flight times July – Sept.
4
3
Distribution widespread but scarce. It has
possibly declined owing to the loss of
damp places with fleabane.
2
1
0
9
Habitat sandy areas with open rough
(sometimes wet) ground, including rides in
Swanton Novers Great Wood, Beeston
Common the Glaven Valley and Breckland
rides.
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited yellow composites
(Asteraceae) especially Ragwort (TS) and
Fleabane.
Nesting
Norfolk.
behaviour
Not
observed
Parasites Nomada rufipes (DB).
in
Andrena denticulata female on fleabane 27th August 2012
Swanton Novers Great Wood
Andrena dorsata F/P Medium
and foxy red brown hair on the upper
thorax and scutellum, with white hairs
beneath. The hairs on the tibia are pale
yellow and relatively short and the floccus
hairs are white. The hind tarsus and
usually the tip of the hind tibia are orange.
The abdomen has distinctive white
marginal bands on tergites 2, 3 and 4.
Males have pale hair on the clypeus but
some black hairs along the eye margins.
The fourth antennal segment is short (cf.
Andrena scotica male). The thorax hairs
are pale and there are white marginal
bands at the sides of the tergites, distinct in
some individuals but hard to see in others.
The hind and mid tibiae are orange.
Andena dorsata female, Weybourne April 2011 (above)
Andena dorsata male, Walsey Hills 12th April 2015 (below)
Andrena dorsata cont.
Andrena dorsata
Flight times two broods; April – June and
July – Sept.
Distribution widespread and common.
North Norfolk is close to the northern edge
of its British range.
Habitat very varied including hedgerows,
gardens, woodland edge and heathland.
Flowers visited Angelica, Bramble,
Creeping Thistle, Hedge Parsley, Sallow,
Wild Radish, White Bryony – very varied.
Nesting behaviour Not observed in
Norfolk.
Parasites no Nomada known to be
associated. Sphecodes reticulatus may be
a parasite of the second brood (BWARS).
The wasp Cerceris rybyensis preys on this
species on Kelling Heath.
Andrena dorsata female on Alexanders, Walsey Hills 18th April 2015
(right).
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena dorsata cont.
Andrena dorsata male Constable Doles, Acle 29th
July 2015 (left). Note leg colouration.
Cerceris rybyensis with Andrena dorsata female prey. Kelling
Heath 15th August 2015.
Andrena flavipes F Medium
Females have a mixture of pale and brown
hairs on the clypeus, pale hairs on the
thorax and long yellow pollen hairs on the
tibia. There are prominent broad white
marginal bands on the tergites. Andrena
denticulata is somewhat similar but has
much shorter hairs on the tibia.
Males have mixed pale and brown hairs on
the clypeus, pale hairs on the thorax and
narrow pale marginal bands on the
abdomen.
Andrena flavipes female on daisy, Le Crotoy, France April 2012
(above).
Andrena flavipes male Fotheringhay, Northamptonshire, 30th
June 2011 (below).
Andrena flavipes cont.
Andrena flavipes
Flight times double brooded; April – June
and July – Sept.
4
3
Distribution the range of this species has
expanded from the south of England in
recent years. Absent from Norfolk until
about 2002, but now widespread.
2
1
0
9
Habitat sandy or clay soils including the
silt Fens and coastal cliffs.
Flowers visited Polylectic, especially
Asteraceae. Also Bramble, Heather.
Nesting behaviour nests singly or in
aggregations. Nest sites observed on
Weybourne beach and on the banks of the
cut-off channel at Stoke Ferry.
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena flavipes cont.
Parasites Nomada fucata, observed by the
author with this species at Overstrand cliffs
and at Stoke Ferry and present at several
other Norfolk sites (TS). Shadow fly
Miltogramma sp. seen to accompany this
species at a nest hole at Stoke Ferry.
Nomada fucata female Overstrand cliffs, 4th August 2014
(above).
Shadow fly Miltogramma sp. at A. flavipes nest Stoke Ferry 16th
July 2015 (below).
Andrena fucata P/M Small
Females The facial hair is pale and the thorax
has pale brown hair with paler hairs on the
propodeal pollen basket. The abdomen has
sparse fluffy hairs with dark hair on the last
tergite. The hind tibia has pale hairs and the
hind basitarsus is reddish in both sexes.
Males The mandibles are long and curved
with a flange at the base and the facial hairs
are pale. The thorax hairs are sparse and
long, of a reddish brown colour. The abdomen
is narrow and shiny with just a few longish
hairs. The hind tarsus is orange/red. The
overall appearance is rather spindly and some
males are very small.
Andrena fucata female on wild raspberry,
Swanton Novers Great Wood, 26th June 2012 (above)
Andrena fucata male covered in Holly pollen,Swanton Novers
Great Wood, 13th May 2015 (below)
Andrena fucata cont.
Andrena fucata
Flight times May – July
4
Distribution found throughout the British
Isles but uncommon in the county with
only about five 20th Century records, from
north Norfolk, Roydon Common and the
Brecks. It was found again in 2012 at
Beeston Common, Weybourne and at
Swanton Novers Great Wood, where it
appears to be reasonably common.
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Parasites Nomada panzeri (BWARS).
Habitat Heathland edge, woodland edge,
woodland rides.
Flowers visited Wild Raspberry, Holly. A
specimen from Weybourne in July 2013
had at least six types of very small pollen,
including Hogweed.
Nesting behaviour
Norfolk
Not recorded in
Andrena fucata male, Swanton Novers, 14th June 2012.
Note reddish hind tibia and tarsus.
Andrena fulva F Large
Females are very striking, having entirely
black hair on the face, side of thorax, tip of
abdomen and legs, while the rest of the
body hair is vivid ginger-brown.
Males the clypeus has long white hair, with
pale brown hairs around the bases of the
antennae and black hairs on the eye
margins. The head is large and wide and
triangular in profile. The long curved
mandibles have a triangular flange at the
base. The hair on the thorax is pale
orange-brown and the abdomen has
brownish marginal bands.
Andrena fulva female on Alexanders, Walsey Hills 20th April 2015
(above).
Andrena fulva male at nest aggregation, Walsey Hills 12th April
2015 (below)
Andrena fulva cont.
Flight times April – June, with numbers
peaking in the second half of April.
Andrena fulva
4
3
Distribution widespread and sometimes
abundant.
2
1
0
Habitat
gardens,
woodland
edge,
hedgerows, heathland, favouring light soils.
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited polylectic: often seen on
Blackthorn in April but its activity extends
into the flowering period of Hawthorne in
May. Uses Alexanders for pollen and
nectar. Also recorded on Apple.
Nesting behaviour often nests in lawns,
sometimes in aggregations, leaving a
‘volcano’ of earth around the nest hole.
Parasites Nomada panzeri and Nomada
signata (BWARS). The latter species is
scarce in Norfolk. Bombilius major.
Bombilius major hovering while flicking eggs into
an Andrena fulva nest, Walsey Hills, Norfolk.
Andrena fuscipes P/M Medium
Females have pale hair on the clypeus,
rufous hairs on the thorax and broad pale
terminal hair bands on the abdomen. The
hairs on the hind tibia are golden. Care
must be taken not to confuse it with
Colletes succinctus, which is also a
Heather specialist (see image below).
Males are slender with longish grey/brown
hair and pale marginal bands on the
abdomen.
Colletes succinctus male, Weybourne 12th August 2010
(above).
Andrena fuscipes female on heather, Kelling Heath (above right)
Andrena fuscipes male on heather, Kelling Heath August
2010 (below right).
Andrena fuscipes cont.
Flight times Late July – September.
Habitat heathland with bare ground.
Flowers visited heather Calluna vulgaris
for both pollen and nectar. Bell heather
Erica cinerea is not used. Heather has very
small pollen grains (35um diameter, Kirk
2006). These adhere to the face of the
female bee as she seeks nectar. From time
to time the bee pauses to groom this off
and passes it to the scopa. They crawl
from flower to flower to quite a large extent
but periodically fly to adjacent heather
plants.
Much of the heather pollen gathers on the facial hairs.
The pollen is passed backwards from leg to leg. This
female is transferring pollen from her face with a front
leg while simultaneously passing pollen from a middle
to a back leg.
Distribution this species is threatened
in Europe, the UK being a stronghold
because of the abundance of heather.
It occurs throughout the British Isles
but becomes scarcer in the north. The
Norfolk
distribution
reflects
the
occurrence of heather in the county.
There appears to be a healthy metapopulation in the Brecks, with more
localised populations on the western
heaths and on the heathland between
Norwich and north Norfolk. It is likely
that some populations are genetically
isolated or becoming so. It was
recorded on Mousehold Heath in the
1800s and is still present. There is also
an isolated population at Winterton and
at Broome Heath near Bungay on a
very small patch of heather.
Andrena fuscipes male on Heather, 15th August 2015 (right)
Andrena fuscipes
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Nesting behaviour
Nest sites are scattered among sparse
heather, the entrances often partly hidden
under the plants. Nest sites are loosely
aggregated, perhaps owing to the patchy
nature of suitable bare ground. The males
patrol open ground, occasionally basking
on stones and also take nectar from
heather.
Parasites: Nomada rufipes parasitises this
species. The females can be seen
searching among the roots of short
growing heather for nest sites.
Nomada rufipes female, Stanta, 19th September 2009 (above)
and male Kelling Heath 20th August 2014 (below)
Andrena haemorrhoa F Medium
Females have pale hair on the clypeus,
rich red brown hair on the thorax and
golden hair on the hind tibia. The tibia and
tarsus are orange red. The abdomen has a
covering of short white hair and a tuft of
red hair at the tip.
Males have pale hairs on the clypeus,
reddish hairs on the thorax and an orangered hind tarsus. The hind tibia and mid
tarsus are usually partly orange-red.There
are also red hairs on the tip of the
abdomen.
Andrena haemorrhoa female, Sheringham Park, May 2011
(above).
Andrena haemorrhoa male on forget-me-not, Weybourne May
2010 (below).
Andrena haemorrhoa cont.
Andrena haemorrhoa
Flight times April – June. It was abundant
in the Brecks in the second week of April
2015: a bit later on the north coast. Most
are finished by late May with a few
continuing into June.
4
3
2
1
0
Distribution common and widespread.
This is one of the most universal and
versatile Andrena species in Norfolk.
Habitat almost all types of habitat including
the shingle ridge of Blakeney Point; can be
active when conditions are poor.
Flowers visited Alexanders, Apple,
Blackthorn, Bramble, Hawthorn, Hogweed,
Sallow, Sycamore, Weld and many others.
A female may take pollen from several
species in one pollen load.
Andrena haemorrhoa female on Apple blossom. Weybourne 11th
May 2010
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena haemorrhoa cont.
Nesting behaviour nesting was observed
in the author’s lawn in Weybourne, the bee
seemingly solitary. Females loaded with
sycamore pollen were seen descending
amongst bracken litter with bluebells
beneath the tree on Kelling Heath. Nests
are rarely observed in this common
species, probably because they are
scattered and hidden amongst vegetation.
Parasites Nomada ruficornis (BWARS).
Nomada ruficornis female. Weybourne 21st June 2010 .
Andrena haemorrhoa mating (male faded), Devil’s
Dyke, Cambridgeshire, 21st April 2014
Andrena haemorrhoa male on female sallow, Stanta, 3rd April 2014.
Note leg colour and red hairs on tip of abdomen.
Andrena hattorfiana F Large
Females are very large and can be
identified in the field. They have a
strong preference for scabious flowers,
the bee typically being laden with pink
pollen. There are white hairs on the
clypeus and on the thorax and the tibial
hairs are yellowish above and white
beneath. The abdominal tergites are
shiny and largely lacking hairs except
for white marginal bands on tergites 3,
4 and 5. There are orange hairs on the
final tergite. The wings are suffused
with brown.
Males are characterised by their white
clypeus. The cuticle is otherwise black
and the body hairs are white. The
tergites are shiny and the wings have a
brown tint.
Andrena hattorfiana female Weybourne, Norfolk
August 2010 (above).
Andrena hattorfiana male hiding in vegetation
after being disturbed on a scabious flower.
Weybourne 9th July 2015 (below).
Andrena hattorfiana cont.
Andrena hattorfiana female (red form) on Common Scabious,
Jura, France July 2014
Andrena hattorfiana females in J B
Bridgman’s 19thC collection, Norwich
Castle Museum – black form only.
The abdomen can have large orange/red
areas of cuticle, but the red form has not yet
been recorded in Norfolk, though in some the
hind margin of the tergites is red. All of J B
Bridgman’s and K Durrant’s specimens in the
Norwich Castle Museum are of the dark form.
Andrena hattorfiana
Flight times June – August.
4
Distribution scarce: found in the Brecks,
the chalk near Sandringham, the soft cliff
coast and the Norwich area.
3
2
1
0
Habitat light soils with good populations of
scabious, including arable field margins.
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Flowers visited common scabious,
Knautia arvensis. The pollen diameter of
this plant is very large (120 micrometres;
Kirk 2006). Andrena hattorfiana and
Andrena marginata have feathery tibial
hairs which are adapted to this large
pollen.
Nesting behaviour No information from
Norfolk.
Long plumose pollen collecting hairs on Andrena hattorfiana hind
leg. This female was sheltering under a scabious flower.
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena hattorfiana has
been
recorded at Earlham Cemetery in
Norwich since 2005 (SP), where up to
9 females have been recorded (see
table). This site is now surrounded by
the city and it is likely that the
population became established when
the cemetery was adjacent to open
country.
DATE
GRID REF
COUNTS
12.08.2005
None given
Females observed-no count made.
14.07.2009
TG212088
6 f.
10.07.2011
TG213087/212087 9 f.
24.07.2012
TG213087
18.07.2013
TG212087/213087 6 f.
02.07.2014
TG213087
7 f.
23.07.2015
TG213087
15 (m+f)
6 f.
Parasites Nomada armata.
Specimens from the 19thC
are
in
Bridgman’s
collection, but it has not
been recorded in Norfolk
since that time. It is
possible that it still exists in
the Brecks.
Nomada armata females, Norwich Castle Museum Bridgman collection
Andrena helvola P/M Medium
Females have white hair on the
clypeus, chestnut brown hair on
the thorax and on tergite 1, broad
pale marginal bands on tergites 2
and 3 and a less distinct band on
tergite 4. The hind tibial hairs are
pale and the floccus hairs are
white.
Males have pale clypeus hairs
and dark hairs on the eye
margins. There are long brown
hairs on the thorax and upper
abdomen and pale hairs on the
final tergite. The middle and hind
tibia and tarsus have a pale
cuticle.
Andrena helvola females and males, Bridgman collection,
Norwich Castle Museum
Andrena helvola cont.
Andrena helvola
4
3
Distribution apparently scarce: recorded
from scattered sites.
2
1
Habitat associated with open woodland
and churchyards, including Rosary
Cemetery in Norwich.
.
Flowers visited no Norfolk information
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Nesting behaviour not observed in the
county.
Parasites Nomada panzeri (BWARS).
Andrena helvola male, Caudlesprings, Watton,
Geoff Nobes
Andrena humilis P/M Small
Females are compact bees with a generally
ginger appearance. The hind tibia hairs are
long and also ginger brown, and there is a
longer fringe of hairs on the margin of the 5th
tergite, which assists in carrying pollen.
Males have a white patch and white hair on
the clypeus, pale hair under the wings and
brown hair elsewhere, with pale hair on the
tergite margins.
Andrena humilis female resting on Daisy. Weybourne 21st May
2015 (above)
Andrena humilis male Weybourne 26th May 2015. Note the
cream patch on the male’s face - present in males of several
Andrena species and some males of other genera. (below)
Andrena humilis cont.
Flight times Late May - July: females at a
nesting aggregation at Weybourne were
digging nest holes on 21st May 2015, with
a few already collecting pollen. Mating was
seen on 22nd May. Most of the breeding
activity had ended by early June. However,
a lone female was bringing pollen to a nest
on Kelling Heath on 13th July 2015.
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Distribution there seem to be two metapopulations in the county: in the Brecks
and in the Norwich area up to the north
coast cliffs.
Habitat Sandy ground with partially
disturbed
or
trampled
herbaceous
vegetation, with yellow Asteraceae,
including roadside verges. The species
may have benefited from a reduction in
verge trimming in the post 2008 recession
(TS).
Andrena humilis
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited Asteraceae:
Beaked Hawksbeard (Crepis
vesicaria), Common Catsear,
Daisy. The first species was the
main pollen source when bees
first hatched at Weybourne.
Hypochaeris flowered slightly
later and the bees used it when it
became available.
Nesting
behaviour
A
nesting
aggregation at the top of Weybourne
cliffs consisted of 250+ holes clustered
in groups of up to 50 near the old pill
box at the top of the cliffs during May
2015. Most of the nests were made on
trampled paths on sandy/gravelly
material with little vegetation. Mating
was observed on 22nd May in which a
male alighted on a female as she was
entering her nest hole. The process
lasted about 90 seconds, at which point
the female struggled free.
Andrena humilis male (faded) alights on female to mate as
she enters her nest hole (Weybourne 22nd May 2015).
Andrena humilis female on Crepis vesicaria, Weybourne 26th
May 2015 (left)
Part of a nesting aggregation of Andrena humilis –
bees away collecting pollen. Weybourne cliff 13.25,
22nd May 2015
A well loaded female returning to a nest hole on Weybourne
Cliff, 21st May 2015
Andrena humilis nest holes covered for the night –
bees inside. Weybourne cliff 22.30, 26th May 2015
Andrena labialis P/S Large
Females are large and broad. The
clypeus and thorax hairs are pale,
as are the hairs on the hind tibia.
The abdomen is heavily punctate
with narrow marginal bands on
tergites 3-5. There are pale hairs on
the abdomen tip.
Males resemble
females.
small
narrow
Andrena labialis females and males. Bridgman collection,
Norwich Castle Museum
Flight times May – July (BWARS)
Distribution
Recorded
by
Bridgman at Norwich in the late
1800s but no records since that
time.
Andrena labialis
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena labiata P/M Small)
Females and males both have a red
abdomen which is black at the base and
the tip, making this bee very distinctive.
The body hairs are pale.
Males have a white area of cuticle on the
clypeus with smaller patches of white
adjacent . There are also white tufts of hair
at each side of the clypeus.
Andrena labiata is superficially similar to a
Sphecodes bee, but the latter lack pollen
hairs, present in female Andrena labiata,
and do not have the white face patch of a
male Andrena labiata.
A. labiata female waiting in a buttercup for the sun to emerge
from a cloud. Buttercups may serve as heat radiators. New
Buckenham Common 30th May 2015 (upper).
Andrena labiata male resting on a leaf, New Buckenham
Common 30th May 2015 (lower).
Andrena labiata cont.
Andrena labiata
Flight times May-June
4
Distribution Thinly distributed, mostly in
the east of the county: possibly increasing.
Habitat Usually associated with germander
speedwell, occurring in sheltered places on
well established grasslands, including a
garden near Blakeney.
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Flowers visited Germander speedwell
Veronica chamaedrys, Wild Strawberry
Fragaria vesca, garden Cistus sp. This
species seems to be sensitive to changes
in temperature, disappearing when it drops
below about 14oC. When the sun goes
behind a cloud, they stop flying and await
the sun’s return.
Andrena labiata female collecting pollen from Germander
Speedwell, Felmingham 15th May 2015 (right).
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena labiata cont.
Nesting behaviour Nests not seen, but suspected in loose sandy soil on
warm banks of Weaver’s Way (old railway cutting). Males observed at New
Buckenham Common were patrolling a linear habitat rich in Germander
Speedwell Veronica chamaedrys along the side of a lane. Two males patrolled
back and fore over a distance of 5-10m, keeping at flower height and
occasionally doubling back. They followed almost the same route each time,
moving at slow human walking pace, but speeding up where there was no
Germander Speedwell. When the two males chanced to approach each other
they sometimes zig-zagged in front of each other, about 10cm apart, before
moving away. It is possible that the white face patch serves as a threat in such
circumstances.
Parasites Nomada guttulata (BWARS) but this species has not so far been
recorded in Norfolk.
Andrena marginata F/P Medium
Andrena marginata females, Weybourne Camp 31st July 2014 (left and middle) and 8th August
2010 (right) showing colour variation.
Females have white hair on the clypeus and thorax. The hairs on the hind tibia
are pale. The thorax is very distinctive in having variable amounts of orange
cuticle. The first tergite is always black. In the darkest forms the other tergites
are also black, but with an orange margin. The most orange form has clear
orange tergites and intermediate forms have some black on the orange areas.
There are also white marginal hair bands on the abdomen. The tibiae are often
loaded with pink scabious pollen.
Andrena marginata cont.
K. Durrant collected a similar range of colour forms in Norfolk in the 1970s and 80s.
Andrena marginata male on common scabious showing white clypeus and long tongue, Weybourne Camp, 31 st July 2014
Males have a white clypeus but are otherwise black. There are white hairs on
the body including the margins of the tergites. The head has a ridge at the hind
margins and the tongue is exceptionally long, probably an adaptation allowing it
to reach nectar at the base of a scabious flower.
Andrena marginata
Flight timesJuly - September (continuing
later than Andrena hattorfiana).
4
3
Distribution most records are from chalky
areas in the west of the county. There is a
strong population on recreated chalk
grassland (established 14 years) on the
Sandringham estate where it uses small
scabious. Its distribution in Norfolk is very
similar to the other scabious specialist,
Andrena hattorfiana.
Habitat chalky areas with scabious.
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena hattorfiana
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers
visited
shows
a
strong
preference for Scabious, using both
Common Scabious Knautia arvensis and
Small Scabious Scabiosa columbaria. It
occurs in places where there is Knautia but
no Scabiosa.
The pollen hairs on the hind tibia are very
feathery, more like the floccus hairs in most
species, this probably being an adaptation
to the large pollen grains of scabious (120
micrometres in Knautia arvensis, Kirk
2006).
Tibial hairs (left to right) of Andrena marginata with
Knautia arvensis pollen, Andrena denticulata with
Senecio vulgaris pollen and Andrena praecox with
Salix caprea pollen.
Nesting
behaviour
No
discovered in Norfolk so far.
nests
Parasites the rare Nomada argentata,
recorded in the Brecks and at
Weybourne, 2014
Andrena marginata female on Knautia arvensis Weybourne
3rd August 2015. Note large pink pollen grains adhering to
feathery tibial hairs.
Nomada argentata female, Weybourne Camp 31st July 2014
Andrena minutula M Small (Sub-genus Micrandrena)
Females are 7-8mm long. The body hairs
are pale yellow/white. The margins to the
tergites have a row of white hairs, doubled
to two rows at the edges. This species is
the commonest of the Micrandrena group
in Norfolk, but is difficult to separate from
the others without using microscopic
features.
Males are small and slender. The spring
brood has black clypeus hairs and the later
brood pale clypeus hairs. The body hairs
are yellow/white and there are hairs on the
abdomen similar to those of females but
less distinct.
Andrena minutula female on Hogweed, Hickling 7th June 2015
(above).
Andrena minutula female on Bamble flower to illustrate small
size of bee, Stoke Ferry 16th July 2015 (below).
Andrena minutula
Flight times March – Sept. in two broods.
4
Distribution
widely
common in the county.
distributed
and
3
2
1
Habitat a wide range including gardens,
field margins, scrub, woodland edge,
grasslands.
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Flowers visited a wide range but often
recorded on Hogweed.
Nesting behaviour Nests in aggregations
in broken sloping ground.
Parasites Nomada flavoguttata (DB).
Nomada flavoguttata male on Germander Speedwell,
Felmingham ,15th May 2015.
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena minutuloides M Small
Females resemble Andrena minutula but have just one row of hairs on the
tergite margins. The punctures on the thorax are less distinct.
Males are similar to Andrena minutula males but the hairs are whiter. It is
necessary to have reference specimens to be confident of identification.
Distribution there are a few records from the 19th C but no definite ones
since. This is a southern species and at the northern edge of its range in
Norfolk.
Andrena nigriceps P/M Medium
Females have black hair on the
clypeus, red brown hair on the thorax
and dark hairs on the tibia. The
abdomen has broad marginal bands.
Males have pale hairs on the face,
reddish hairs on the thorax and long
pale hairs on the tergites with fluffy
marginal bands. The legs are black
(SF).
Andrena nigriceps female on Hogweed, Weybourne 13th July
2013.
Andrena nigriceps cont.
Andrena nigriceps
Flight times July – August.
4
Distribution a scarce species recorded
in the Brecks and on the coast between
Weybourne and Winterton, including
Beeston Common (KD 1970s).
3
2
1
0
Habitat cliff tops and scrub.
9
8
Flowers visited
Knapweed.
Hogweed,
Lesser
Nesting behaviour not observed.
Parasites Nomada rufipes (BWARS).
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena nigroaenea F/P Large
Females have a mixture of black and
brown clypeal hairs, ginger brown hairs on
the thorax and bright ginger hairs on the
hind femur and tibia. The abdomen has a
covering of short ginger hairs with
prominent black hairs at the tip.
Males closely resemble females in colour
pattern.
Andrena nigroaenea female at nest site, Weybourne beach,
March 2012 (above) and a male on Green Alkanet Kelling Heath
27th April 2011 (below).
Andrena nigroaenea cont.
Andrena nigroaenea
Flight times March – June. BWARS data
show that flight times have advanced (see
below).
4
3
2
Distribution widespread and common in
the county.
1
0
Habitat a wide range including gardens,
hedgerows, heathland and scrub.
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited polylectic including Alexanders, garden Heathers, Primrose and
Green Alkanet. A strong flier and probably able to travel some distance from the
nest to collect food.
[Males are the sole pollinators – by pseudocopulation - of Early Spider Orchid, Ophrys sphegodes. Schiestl et al 2009 have shown
that the orchid mimics the pheromones of Andrena nigroaenea females, which implies specificity of Andrena species pheromones.
Robbert et al 2014 at UEA analysed BWARS data showing that the bee’s phenology is advancing more rapidly than the plant’s in
response to climate change, potentially distrupting the pollination of the orchid. This orchid does not occur in Norfolk however.]
Nesting behaviour Nest aggregations
found in a garden in Weybourne, an earth
bank at Stanta and on a bank behind
Weybourne beach. Males observed
patrolling up and down hedgerows and
along an earth bank containing nest
burrows, flying 30-40m in each direction.
Andrena nigroaenea male, Weybourne, 27th March 2012
briefly landed while patrolling for females (below).
Nests of Andrena nigroaenea Weybourne 12th April 2011. Some
nest holes placed between bricks lying on the ground (above).
Parasites A female with two Stylops sp. was recorded at Flitcham 2014.
Nomada fabriciana (BWARS), Nomada flava, Nomada goodeniana (DB).
Nomada goodeniana female (left) and male (right), Kelling Heath, 24th May 2012.
Andrena nigrospina & Andrena pilipes F/Pmedium
There is current research into the distinction (if any) between these two species (ME)
Andrena nigrospina (inland).
Females have a black cuticle and black
hair with the exception of white tibial hairs.
The wings are darkened.
Males are also all black but with pale hairs
on the thorax as well as the legs.
Flight times May and June, between the
two flight periods of Andrena pilipes.
Distribution ‘Occasionally taken around
Norwich end of may and June’ - as
Andrena pilipes, Bridgman 1879). Two
females recorded at Bowthorpe on 9th June
2011 (TS). Inland distribution cf Andrena
pilipes which is coastal. A black female
Andrena was photographed at Browston
near Gt. Yarmouth in early July 2015; this
timing suggests Andrena nigrospina (TS).
Habitat brownfield site on sandy soil with a
mix of wild and garden plants (sheduled for
housing).
Andrena nigrospina male (Geoff Nobes).
Flowers visited Brassicaceae,
Cotoneaster.
Nesting behaviour not observed in
Norfolk
Parasites a form of Nomada fulvicornis
(SF).
Andrena pilipes s.l. (A. pilipes s.s. is
coastal)
One at Wymondham 20th April 1942 Ref
TS Transactions 2011.
[See BWARS Newsletter Autumn 2008 pp
21 & 40]
Andrena nigrospina female on Cotoneaster,
Browston Great Yarmouth July 2015, A. Crudgington
Andrena pilipes female (left) and male
(right) on cultivated Eryngium, Rainham
Marshes, Essex 6th August 2015 (Ted
Benton).
Andrena nitida P/M Large
Females have pale clypeus hairs with black
hairs round the bases of the antennae. There
is rich red brown hair on the upper thorax
grading to white beneath. The hind tibia has
dark hairs above and white below. The
tergites have an anterior band of long sparse
white hairs, widening to hair tufts at the
tergite edges. The tergites show a glossy
shine through these hairs.
Males have long white hairs on the clypeus
and black hairs at the eye margins. The hair
on the upper thorax is rich red. The tergites
have sparse white hair bands widening at
the sides, similar to those in the female. The
cuticle is black.
Andrena nitida female, Le Crotoy France, 13th April 2012 (above).
Andrena nitida male, Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire 17th April 2015
(below).
Andrena nitida cont.
Andrena nitida
Distribution widespread and common,
though not seen in large numbers. It is
fairly close to its northern UK limit in north
Norfolk.
4
3
2
1
0
9
Habitat gardens, hedgerows, orchards.
8
Flowers visited polylectic, using many
kinds of spring blossom including Apple,
Sallow, Blackthorn and Hawthorne. Also
visits Alexanders.
Nesting behaviour not observed in
Norfolk.
Parasites possibly Nomada goodeniana
(BWARS).
Andrena nitida female (worn) with Alexanders pollen. Weybourne
cliffs 20th May 2015. Note tufts of white hair on abdomen.
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena ovatula P/M Medium
Females have pale hairs on the clypeus.
The thorax has grey brown hairs and the
hind tibia has pale hairs. The hind tibia
and tarsus can be translucent orange but
only about half of Norfolk specimens have
this (one of which also has orange mid
tibia and tarsus), the others having entirely
black legs. All mainland European
specimens collected by David Baldock
have orange tibiae, as do his Surrey
specimens. But a sample from Menorca
collected by DB and the author all have
dark legs (see last slide). Another difficulty
with this species is its similarity to the
closely related Andrena wilkella. One
difference is that Andrena ovatula has a
complete white hair band on T3
(narrowing/interrupted in wilkella). Worn
specimens can be very difficult to
separate.
Andrena ovatula female showing complete hair
band on third tergite. Weybourne Camp 2nd
August 2015.
Andrena ovatula cont.
Andrena ovatula female orange legged form, Weybourne Camp
2nd August 2015, using mandibles to prise open bud of Yellow
Melilot (left) and taking nectar from an open flower (right). Pollen
is being dusted on its underside.
Males have a similar colour pattern to
females, including a complete marginal
band on T3 (interrupted in Andrena wilkella
males). The legs are usually black but one
specimen
from
Weybourne
had
yellow/orange hind tarsus and part of tibia.
Flight times April – September, two
brooded.
Habitat heaths and rough grassland with a
gravelly substrate.
Andrena ovatula male on yellow mellilot showing complete hair
band on third tergite. Weybourne Camp 31st July 2014 (above)
and 2nd August 2015 (below). These males patrolled the yellow
mellilot plants on a roughly repeating sequence, occasionally
pouncing on pollen laden females, but they were rebuffed.
Distribution widely scattered records from
the Brecks, western heaths, Cromer Ridge
heaths, the Norwich area and East Ruston
Common. There is one record from
Brancaster beach.
Andrena ovatula
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Flowers visited Gorse, Heather, Tormentil,
Yellow Melilot
Nesting behaviour female with pollen load
on sandy path, Felmingham 15th May
2015.
Parasites No Nomada species reported.
Upper: Andrena ovatula females (left) and males
(right). Females have orange tibia/tarsus.
Lower: two females with dark legs.
JBB collection Norwich Castle Museum.
Andrena ovatula (dark legged form) on Hedysarum coronarium
(introduced plant), Menorca, 11th May 2015
Andrena praecox F/P Medium
Females have pale hairs on the clypeus
with dark hairs along the eye margins.
There are orange brown hairs on the upper
thorax grading into long pale hairs below
the wings. The tibial hairs are pale above
and dark below. The thorax has long hairs
on the first two tergites and shorter hairs
thereafter.
Males have long antennae and pale hairs
on the clypeus. The mandibles are long
and overlapping with a flange at the base.
There are long sparse hairs on the first two
tergites. The legs are black.
Andrena praecox male pinned specimen
showing mandibles (right)
Andrena praecox female, Great Hockham 8th April 2015 (above right).
Andrena praecox male, Walsey Hills, 12th April 2015 (below right).
Andrena praecox cont.
Flight times March – May
Distribution scattered records reflecting
the presence of sallow and sandy soils.
Andrena praecox
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena praecox female with sallow pollen, Fowlmere,
Cambridgeshire 26.04.2014 (above).
Andrena praecox nest site. Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire
26.04.2014 (below).
Andrena praecox cont.
Habitat sandy soils with sallows.
Flowers visited oligolectic on Sallow.
Nesting behaviour Nest sites include ant
hills at Fowlmere, Cambridgeshire and in
earth loosened by moles amongst bracken
at Thompson Common.
Parasites the seemingly rare Nomada
ferruginata,
which
probably
occurs
wherever there are strong populations of
the host. Recent records come from North
Creake,
Ditchingham,
Stanta
and
Wymondham.
Andrena praecox mating, Gt Hockham 8th April 2015
Nomada ferruginata female, Wymondham 4th May 2015 (left)
Andrena proxima P/M Small
Norwich late 1800s: one record on database from Bridgman. The species
may still be present but overlooked. It occurs widely in Suffolk (TS).
Andrena proxima female. Chifford Crags, Essex, 22nd May 2015 (TB).
Andrena scotica F Large
Females have a mixture of brown
and black hairs on the clypeus. The
thorax has pale brown hair and
there is fine brown hair on the
abdomen. The most striking feature
of this species is the contrasting
hair colours on the hind tibia: black
above and white below. This
feature is shared by Andrena nitida,
which differs in having a shiny,
almost hairless, abdomen and
contrasting hair colour above
(reddish) and below (white) the
thorax.
Andrena carantonica fresh female, Cambridge,16th April 2015
(above)
Andrena carantonica worn female on Heracleum sphondylium,
Kelling Heath, 6th August 2010. Note the black and white hairs on
the hind leg. (below)
Andrena scotica cont.
Males have pale brown hairs on the
clypeus and thorax and a few sparse hairs
on the rather shiny abdomen. Sometimes
the margin of the second tergite is reddish.
The fourth antennal segment is long. The
hind tarsus can be partially orange.
Andrena carantonica mating. Weybourne 20th April 2012
A. carantonica male, Weybourne 11th May 2010
A. carantonica male showing pale mark on tergite 2.
Weybourne 5th June 2010
Andrena scotica
Flight times March – July
Distribution widespread and common.
4
3
2
Habitat all habitats
1
0
Flowers visited Apple, Blackthorn,
Dandelion, Hawthorn, Hogweed, Holly,
Bramble, Poppy, Sallow.
Nesting behaviour no nests found.
Parasites Nomada marshamella and
Nomada flava (BWARS), and Stylops sp.
see next slide.
Nomada marshamella female, Weybourne 15th
May 2010. Note orange tegula (right).
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena scotica males. Upper row stylopised which has partially feminised
them: note larger size and hairier abdomens.
Andrena semilaevis P/M Small (Sub-genus Micrandrena)
Females can be distinguished from other
Micrandrena species using microscopic
features. The punctation on the clypeus
and thorax is dense, similar to that in
Andrena minutula, and there is fine
punctation on T1 and T2, absent in
Andrena minutula and Andrena subopaca
(but present in Andrena alfkenella). The
margins of tergites 2-4 are depressed and
shiny in both sexes.
Males have long white hairs on the
clypeus, as long as the scape of the
antennae and long white hairs on the
thorax. There are white marginal bands on
the abdomen, incomplete on T1 and T2.
Punctation is similar to that of females.
Andrena semilaevis male on Germander
Speedwell, 25th May 2012, Warham Camp. Note
depressed margin of T4 just under wing tips.
Andrena semilaevis cont.
Andrena semilaevis
Flight times May – August.
4
Distribution
common.
widespread
and
fairly
3
2
Habitat verges, scrub, woodland edge,
gardens, churchyards etc.
1
0
9
Flowers
visited
Hedge
Germander Speedwell.
Parsley,
Nesting behaviour not recorded.
Nomada flavoguttata female, Swanton Novers Great Wood 2nd
August 2015 (right).
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena subopaca P/M Small (Sub-genus Micrandrena)
and rather conspicuous facial foveae,
which look like white bands along the inner
eye margins. The punctures on the clypeus
and thorax are widely spaced. The tergites
have no clear punctures. There are white
hair bands on the edges of the tergites.
Males similar to females in the above
features, but lacking prominent facial
foveae.
Andrena subopaca female on Tormentil. Swanton Novers Great
Wood 13th May 2015 (above).
Andrena subopaca female, Swanton Novers Great Wood, 24th
May 2015 (below).
Andrena subopaca cont.
Andrena subopaca
Flight times April – July
4
3
Distribution
common.
widespread
and
fairly
2
1
0
Habitat possibly more associated with
woodland than other Micrandrena species
in Norfolk.
Flowers visited Dandelion, Germander
Speedwell, Tormentil.
Andrena subopaca female on Tormentil. Swanton Novers Great
Wood 13th May 2015 (right).
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena synadelpha P/M Medium
and dark hairs around the bases of the
antennae. The abdomen bears reddish
brown hair. The most distinctive feature is
the long brown hairs on the forward part of
tergites 2 and 3. The hind tibia has dark
hairs above and pale below, the floccus
hairs are white and the tip of the abdomen
has black hairs.
A. synadelpha female basking shortly after appearance of sun,
Kelling Heath 28th May 2015. Note brown hair on first two tergites
(above).
A. synadelpha (same) female, Kelling Heath 28th May 2015. Note
white floccus hairs. Mud on legs suggests she has been digging
a nest hole, possibly below the sycamore tree on which she is
basking (below).
Andrena synadelpha cont.
Males have pale hair on the clypeus, long
antennae and long mandibles without a
flange. There is reddish hair on the thorax
and tergites 1 and 2 have long pale hairs.
The legs are black. Both sexes have wide
margins to the tergites, though these are not
easily seen in a photograph.
Andrena synadelpha male taking nectar from Alexanders fruit,
Weybourne 28th May 2015. Note large head, long mandibles and
long hair on first two tergites (above).
Andrena synadelpha female (worn) on Hogweed, Weybourne,
6th June 2010 (below).
Andrena synadelpha cont.
Andrena synadelpha
Flight times April – June.
4
Distribution widespread and can be
moderately abundant. Fewer records from
the west of the county.
Habitat woodland rides,
churchyards, hedgerows.
heathland,
Flowers visited two females loaded with
sycamore pollen KH 26th May 2015. Also
Hogweed and Hawthorne.
Nesting behaviour probably in bracken
debris below sycamore tree on Kelling
Heath. Males swarming in lee of hedgerow
near Weybourne cliffs, May 2015.
Parasites Nomada panzeri (DB).
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena tarsata P/M Small
Females have pale hairs on the clypeus and on top of the head. The
thorax has short dark hairs above and longer pale hairs elsewhere.
There are pale marginal bands on the abdomen. The hind tarsus and
tibia are orange with pale yellow hairs.
Males have a white patch of cuticle on the clypeus which also bears
white hairs. The thorax has dark hairs above and long white hairs on the
sides. The abdomen has pale margins and the hind tarsi are orange.
Andrena tarsata female (left) and male (right), Cornwall. P. Saunders
Andrena tarsata cont.
Flight times July – August.
Andrena tarsata
4
Distribution Bridgman 1869 refers to male
of ‘Andrena analis’ collected at Felthorpe
on June 29th 1881, an earlier name for this
species. A female was collected at Buxton
Heath on 13th July 1979 (KD) and a male
near Swannington (10 miles distant from
Buxton Heath and close to Felthorpe) on
20th July 2010 (GN). These are the only
county records. A search of Buxton Heath
on 20th July 2015 drew a blank, and there
was rather little Tormentil present.
Habitat acidic grassland with Tormentil.
Flowers visited oligolectic on Tormentil.
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Parasites Nomada robertjeotiana
(BWARS). Recorded near King’s
Lynn in 1902 by E A Atmore
(Strudwick
2011).
Andrena
tarsata is its only host.
Andrena thoracica F/P Large
Females have black hairs on all body parts
except for the upper thorax which has
bright orange brown hairs. The tergites
have few hairs and look shiny, with long
black hairs at the tip of the abdomen.
Males are similar in colour pattern to
females, with long black clypeal hairs.
Andrena thoracica male, Kelling Heath, 7th April 2012 (above).
Andrena thoracia females at nest site, Weybourne beach 27th
March 2012 (right).
Andrena thoracica cont.
Flight times March – August in two
broods.
Distribution can be abundant in suitable
habitats, including sandy grassland and
brownfield sites around Norwich. Thought
to be increasing around Brundall, near
Norwich (TS).
Habitat grassland, cliff tops, Brecks,
heathland, soft cliffs.
Flowers visited Celandine (first brood)
Bramble, Buddleia, Hogweed, White
Bryony (second brood).
Nesting behaviour aggregation of nest
holes on a worn pathway on Kelling Heath,
on the banks of the Cut-off Channel and on
bare sandy ground on Weybourne Camp
(adjacent to the beach).
Andrena thoracica female (faded) on Common Catsear Overstrand 4th
August 2014 (right).
Andrena thoracica
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (TS)
and Nomada goodeniana (BWARS).
Andrena tibialis P/M Large
and white hair under the head. There is
rich brown hair on the upper thorax and
white hair beneath the wings. The
propodeal pollen basket also has white
hair. The hind tibia and tarsus are bright
orange and the tibia hairs are pale, with a
white floccus. The abdomen has a
covering of pale hairs with black hairs at
the tip. The pterostigma is orange-brown in
both sexes.
Males have a mix of black and brown
clypeal hairs, the thorax has pale brown
hairs and there are long brown hairs
covering the tergites. The hind tarsus is
orange and the hind tibia is orange distally.
Andrena tibialis female Stanta 28th April 2011 (above).
Andrena tibialis male Stanta 13th April 2014. Note orange hind
tarsus and pale brown pterostigma (below).
Andrena tibialis cont.
Andrena tibialis
Flight times March – May, coinciding with
the availability of Sallow pollen.
4
3
2
Distribution frequent in the Norwich area
and in the Brecks, including Stanta. Maps
for two other Sallow specialists are shown
for comparison.
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
Habitat sandy areas with Willows, similar
to Andrena praecox. Both species
seemingly scarce/absent in the much of
the Broads, perhaps because of lack of
nest sites, but maybe overlooked.
6
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
4
3
2
1
0
9
Flowers visited oligolectic on Sallow.
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
2
3
4
5
Andrena clarkella
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (DB).
8
Andrena praecox
8
Nesting behaviour possible nest site in
mole hill, near sallows, Stanta. Males
observed patrolling Willows, Sallows and
Bird Cherry seeking females.
7
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
Andrena tridentata P/M Medium
Specimens are present in the Bridgman
collection in Norwich Castle Museum.
This species may now be extinct in the
UK and perhaps in Europe (BWARS).
There are possible records from West
Runton on the Cromer Ridge. A possible
record from the Brecks TL77 in 1910, via
the Brecks Biodiversity Audit.
Andrena tridentata female (left) male(s) (right) Bridgman
collection NCM.
Andrena trimmerana P/M Medium
Females first brood have dark hairs on the
clypeus, pale brown hairs on the thorax,
dark hairs on the upper side of the tibia
and pale hairs below. The margins of
tergites 1 and 2 are orange, though this
colouring is variable. Second brood
females have paler clypeal hairs (SF
Flickr).
Males show similar colouration to females.
Spring males have a long spine at the base
of each mandible. The extent of red
markings on the tergites is variable.
Andrena trimmerana male at Holkham 25th July 2009 (above), a female
in Ken Durrant collection NCM (above right) and a male at Stoke Ferry
16th July 2015 [males validated GE] (below right).
Andrena trimmerana cont.
Andrena trimmerana female on Bramble, Cornwall. P. Saunders.
Andrena trimmerana cont.
Flight times all Norfolk records in July
and August, but also has a spring brood
(BWARS).
Distribution there is a female specimen
collected by KD in the Norwich Castle
Museum, but this may have been
collected outside Norfolk. Otherwise
there are no county records until two
females were recorded at Brundall on
17th/18th August 2014. A female was
collected at Mundesley Cliffs and
another at Cranwich Heath in early
August 2015 and another female on 21st
August 2015 at Brundall Countryside
Park (all TS). These records are in
widely spaced localities, suggesting a
thinly spread but largely un-noticed
population in the county. The national
distribution is southern and these
records may indicate a northern spread.
Andrena trimmerana
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Habitat
hedgerow
with
uncultivated margin and scrub
near the cut-off channel.
Flowers
visited
Bramble,
Creeping Thistle.
Nesting
behaviour
not
observed.
Parasites Nomada marshamella
(BWARS).
Andrena varians F/P Medium
Females have dark hairs on all body parts
apart from bright ginger hairs on the upper
thorax, white floccus hairs and long ginger
brown hairs on T1 and T2, with shorter
brown hairs on T3-6.
Males (not yet found in Norfolk) show a
similar colour pattern to females. The
cuticle is black.
Andrena varians female, Devil’s Dyke Cambridgeshire 14th April
2015 (upper) and Sheringham Park 1st May 2011 – the first
definite Norfolk record since the 19th C (lower). Note white
floccus hairs.
Andrena varians cont.
Flight times all Norfolk records are from May, but it is known to emerge in April
where blackthorn is abundant.
Distribution there are several specimens in Bridgman’s 19thC collection, but
there is only one possible record from the 20thC, which is a field observation from
Wheatfen in 1936. In May 2011 the author photographed a fresh female at
Sheringham Park, and in May 2015 two females appeared in a water trap in
parkland near Holt. This is a scarce species nationally.
Andrena varians
4
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Habitat the author has found this species
at Devil’s Dyke, Cambridgeshire. The only
link with the two Norfolk locations is
perhaps the existence of long established
grassland.
Flowers visited no observations: often
associated with blackthorn (SF), but the
recent Norfolk records coincided with the
flowering of hawthorne.
Parasites Nomada panzeri (DB).
Andrena varians from Bridgman’s collection NCM.
Andrena wilkella P/M Medium
Females have grey brown hairs on the
clypeus and on the thorax. The tibial hairs
are also pale and there are white marginal
bands on T1 – T5. These bands are neater
than those of Andrena ovatula (qv) and
narrow towards the centre, leaving a clear
gap in the bands on T2 &T3 (entire on T3
in Andrena ovatula). The hind tibia and
tarsus are orange.
Males show a similar colour pattern to
females, also having more widely
interrupted abdominal bands.
Andrena wilkella female, with gorse pollen, Kelling Heath
20thJune 2010. (Taken to be this species rather than Andrena
ovatula because of neat white bands and time of year).
Andrena wilkella cont.
Andrena wilkella
Flight times May – July.
4
Distribution
recorded
from
widely
scattered localities. Andrena ovatula
shown for comparison showing very
different distributions reflecting contrasting
habitat preferences. However, there is
likely to be some confusion between these
two very similar species.
Habitat said to avoid gravelly/heathy
habitats, but Norfolk records include
Cranwich Camp, Holt Lowes, Kelling
Heath, Mousehold Heath and Santon
Warren.
3
2
1
0
9
8
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena ovatula
4
3
2
1
Flowers visited Gorse. Polylectic but often
uses Fabaceae (SF).
0
9
8
Nesting behaviour no information.
2000 – 2014
1980 – 1999
Pre 1980
5
6
7
8
9
0
1
2
3
4
5
Andrena wilkella cont.
Parasites Nomada striata (DB); possibly
Sphecodes pellucidus (BWARS).
Andrena wilkella Bridgman collection NCM
Nomada striata female. Norfolk (TS)
Andrena wilkella female, Estaing, French
Pyrenees 21st June 2015
COMING SOON?
It is possible that Andrena florea will reach Norfolk in the next 10-20 years,
since its range is slowly expanding northwards from its population centre in
Sussex, Surrey and Essex. The species specialises on White Bryony
pollen and should be looked for in June. It is a distinctive bee with red
markings, but care must be taken to distinguish it from Andrena bimaculata
which also visits White Bryony, though not usually in June. Andrena florea
has a shinier abdomen with less hair.
Andrena florea female, Le Crotoy, France, June 2015
Acknowledgements: Michael Archer (MA), David Baldock (DB), Ted Benton
(TB), Dorothy Cheyne (DC), Ed Cross (EC), Mike Edwards (ME), George Else
(GE), Steven Falk (SF), Francis Farrow (FF), Tony Irwin, Ash Murray, Geoff
Nobes, Pete Murray, Stuart Paxton, Stuart Roberts, Paddy Saunders, Sir Michael
Savory and Tim Strudwick (TS) have all helped and supported in various ways.
My grateful thanks to all. Alan Morton gave kind assistance with DMAP. I also
thank my wife, Frankie, for putting up with a net and camera-carrying husband.
She has also spotted many bees!
References and Resources
Baldock, David,W. 2008. Bees of Surrey. Surrey Wildlife Trust.
Bees Wasps and Ants Recording Society (BWARS). http://www.bwars.com
Bridgman, J.B. 1879. Fauna and Flora of Norfolk. Part 1X, Hymenoptera. Trans
Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 2: 617-638.
Bridgman, J.B. 1879. Fauna and Flora of Norfolk. Part 1X, Hymenoptera additions. Trans Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 3. 367-368.
Brock, Paul 2014. A Comprehensive Guide to Insects of Britain and Ireland.
Pisces Publications.
Else G. and Edwards M. in prep. Handbook of the Bees of the British Isles, Ray
Society.
Karen M Robbert, Anthony J. Davy, Michael J Hutchings and David L
Roberts. Validation of biological collections as a source of phenological data
for use in climate change studies: a case study with the orchid Ophrys
sphegodes. Journal of Ecology 2011, 99, 235-241.
Kirk, William D.J. 2006. A colour guide to pollen loads in the honeybee.
International Bee Research Association.
Falk, Steven 2015. Field Guide to the Bees of Great Britain and Ireland.
British Wildlife Field Guides. Bloomsbury.
Strudwick T. 2011. The Bees of Norfolk: a provisional county list. Trans.
Norfolk Norwich Nat. Soc. 44, 36–56.
Nick Owens
October 2015
[email protected]

Andrena - Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists` Society

Transcription

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