Andrena Bees of Norfolk Identification Guide Andrena Bees Occur in All Continents Except Australia and Antarctica

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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) Anthidium (1) Anthophora (4) Apis (1) Bombus (18) Ceratina (0) T.Benton Chelostoma (2)

Coelioxys(4) Colletes (8) Dasypoda (1) Epeolus (2) Eucera (0) Halictus (3) Heriades(1)

Hoplitis (1) Hylaeus (8) Lasioglossum (22) Macropis(1) Megachile (7) Melecta (1) Melitta (3)

Nomada (19) Osmia (6) Panurgus (2) Sphecodes(13) Stelis (3) M.Fogden 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 Tawny Mining Bee Andrena fulva female on common name. One exception apple blossom, Weybourne 7th May 2010 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. Index and Phenology of Norfolk's Andrenas. A dark square denotes overlap of first and second broods. Brackets = not recorded post-2000 Norfolk Cuckoo bee parasites (ref BWARS & Bees of Slide status F M A M J Jy A S O N Notes Surrey, Baldock)

Andrena alfkenella 12 RDB3 Chalk ? None recorded Andrena angustior 14 Rare Nomada fabriciana (Andrena argentata) 16 Extinct? Calluna Nomada baccata Andrena barbilabris 17 Sphecodes pellucidus Andrena bicolor 20 harebell (2nd) Nomada fabriciana Andrena bimaculata 24 Scarce Nomada fulvicornis Andrena chrysosceles 28 Scarce Apiaceae Nomada fabriciana Andrena cineraria 30 Nomada lathburniana & goodeniana Andrena clarkella 33 Sallow Nomada leucopthalma Andrena coitana 36 Rare Nomada obtusifrons & roberjeotiana Andrena denticulata 39 yellow Asteraceae Nomada rufipes Andrena dorsata 41 ? None recorded Andrena flavipes 44 Nomada fucata Andrena fucata 47 Scarce Nomada panzeri Andrena fulva 49 Nomada panzeri & signata Andrena fuscipes 51 Calluna Nomada rufipes Andrena haemorrhoa 55 Nomada ruficornis Andrena hattorfiana 58 RDB2 Scabious Nomada armata (extinct Nfk?) Andrena helvola 62 Scarce ? None recorded Andrena humilis 64 Asteraceae Nomada integra [not recorded Nfk] (Andrena labialis) 68 Extinct? Fabaceae Sphecodes rubicundus Andrena labiata 69 Na Germander Speedwell Nomada guttulata Andrena marginata 72 Na Scabious Nomada argentata Andrena minutula 78 Nomada flavoguttata? (Andrena minutuloides) 80 Scarce Nomada flavoguttata Andrena nigriceps 81 Scarce ? None recorded Andrena nigroaenea 83 Nomada flava, fabriciana, goodeniana Andrena nigrospina 87 Rare Nomada goodeniana Andrena nitida 89 Nomada goodeniana Andrena ovatula 91 Heathland/sandy soils ? None recorded (Andrena pilipes) 87 Rare ? None recorded Andrena praecox 96 Sallow Nomada ferruginata Andrena proxima 99 RDB3 Apiaceae Nomada conjugens Andrena scotica 100 Nomada flava, goodeniana, marshamella Andrena semilaevis 104 Nomada flavoguttata Andrena subopaca 106 Nomada flavoguttata Andrena synadelpha 108 Nomada panzeri Andrena tarsata 111 Tormentil Nomada roberjeotiana [not recorded Nfk] Andrena thoracica 113 Nomada goodeniana & fulvicornis Andrena tibialis 115 Willows Nomada fulvicornis Andrena tridentata 117 Extinct UK? Asteraceae ? Andrena trimmerana 118 Scarce Nomada marshamella Andrena varians 121 Rare Blackthorn etc Nomada fabriciana, ferruginata, panzeri Andrena wilkella 124 Nomada striata Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Andrena Total spp. 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 Soft cliffs Soft & quarries River valley woodland dry Gardens Silt farmland fen Woodland Mixed acidic alkaline and heaths Wet commons Calcareous grassland Heathland Dunes wilkella varians trimmerana tibialis thoracica tarsata synadelpha subopaca scotica semilaevis praecox ovatula nitida nigroaenea nigriceps minutuloides? minutula marginata labiata humilis helvola hattorfiana haemorrhoa fuscipes fulva fucata flavipes dorsata denticulata chrysosceles coitana clarkella cineraria bimaculata bicolor barbilabris angustior argentata alfkenella Tormentil Sallows Scabious Asteraceae Yellow Scabious Heather Asteraceae Yellow Sallows Heather

Oligolectic species

1 Blakeney Point 20 Kelling Heath

9 Buxton Heath Andrenaspeciesrecorded at various Norfolk sites 18 Mousehold Heath 19 Beeston Common (FF) 14 Royden Common (MA) 15 Abbey Farm Flitcham (EC)

7 Warham Camp 16 Cut off channel 10 Foulden Common 12 Stanta 17 Caudlesprings (GN) 20 Cranwich 10 Sheringham Park 12 Swanton Novers Great Wood 14 Norwich Rosary Cemetery (TS) 17 Strumpshaw Fen (TS)

8 Holt Hall

7 Ditchingham garden (DC) 11 Weybourne garden (Author) 17 Brundall garden (TS)

7 Overstrand/Mundesley cliffs 18 Weybourne Camp (MS) 13 Caistor Quarry

4 Outwell Fens 10 16 12 10 15 18 18 19 14 13 21 12 19 6 2 3 9 9 1 7 4 2 1 5 2 5 2 6 5 4 8 4 2 9 5 9 1 1 4 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 Photography copyright Nick Owens or credited authors 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. Andrena alfkenella Flight times two brooded: a male was recorded in west Norfolk on 10th April 2014, 4 with all other county records occurring in July 3 st or August (latest record 3 females on 31 2

August so probably extending into September). 1

0 Distribution scarce, recorded in the Brecks, 9 the Cut-off Channel (= sandy chalk) and on 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 chalk grassland in the Sandringham area. Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 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. 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 3 Mousehold Heath in 1873, but 2 with no further county records 1 until it was discovered on Kelling 0

Heath in May 2012, where a 9 population appeared near the car 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 park. A female was recorded at 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Costessey in June 2015 (TS). Nesting behaviour: observed entering Habitat heathland with scattered a hole amongst loose bracken litter on shrubs of rowan, gorse, birch and Kelling Heath. hawthorn. Parasites Nomada fabriciana Flowers visited seen taking (BWARS). pollen from Creeping Buttercup, Kelling Heath.

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 Males look fluffy with long whitish and rich brown hair on the thorax. hairs on the face, including a The tibial hairs are blackish and fringe of white hairs hanging over the abdomen has narrow the mandibles. There are a few interrupted white bands. black hairs along the margins of the eyes. The abdomen is narrow Andrena barbilabris female with pollen load, with interrupted white hair bands Kelling Heath, 18th May 2010. She is covered in sand grains from burrowing. on the margins, and the legs are black. Andrena barbilabris male, Kelling Heath 2nd May 2011

Andrena barbilabris cont.

Mating attempt by male Andrena barbilabris, resisted by Distribution widespread in sandy female: Stanta 9th April 2011. places in warm microhabitats.

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 Andrena barbilabris collapse on departure. Returning females burrowing for their nest 4 entrances are often pounced 3 upon by males, which attempt to 2 mate, even when the female has a pollen load. These females 1 usually buzz and try to shake 0 them off, but the males sometimes pursue them down 9 8 2000 – 2014 their burrows. 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Andrena barbilabris cont.

Flowers visited Polylectic including Sphecodes pellucidus female searching a nest of Sallow. Andrena barbilabris, Kelling Heath 20th April 2015

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). 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. Andrena bicolor Flight times March – August in two broods 4 3 Distribution One of the 2 commonest early spring 1 th Andrenas. On March 9 2014 0 hundreds of Andrena bicolor were 9 flying in Swanton Novers woods. 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 This was the first warm day of the 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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.

Andrena bicolor cont.

Habitat woodland rides, gardens, waysides, field margins, scrub.

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 cont.

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 Andrena bimaculata second brood female, red form, on of the tergites. Some individuals Bramble, Kelling Heath 13th July 2015 have red markings on the first two tergites of the abdomen, giving the species its name. 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 Andrena bimaculata cont.

Andrena bimaculata Flight times two broods: early April – June and July – August. 4

Distribution a local species found on 2 heathland, sandy soils around 1 Norwich and near the coast. It is close 0 to the northern edge of its range in 9 Norfolk. Bridgman 1879, in his 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 published 1876 Presidential Address, Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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 behaviour no nests observed.

Andrena bimaculata worn male, Kelling Heath 8th June 2011 Andrena bimaculata cont.

Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (BWARS)

Andrena bimaculata using mandibles to break up Bramble Nomada fulvicornis male, Beeston Common 03.05.2015. This anthers, Kelling Heath 13th July 2015 species has a black line dividing the yellow band on both first and second tergites, just discernable through the wings. 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 3 records in the county, but probably 2 under-recorded. 1

0 Habitat parkland, woodland clearings, churchyards. 9 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Flowers visited Bramble : known to 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 be polylectic.

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 Males have long white hair on the generally black, with grey/white hair bands clypeus and thorax. The abdomen on the collar and scutellum and white hairs is black and shining with white hair on the clypeus. 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 Flight times April – June 4

3 Distribution there is only one pre-2000 2 record for Norfolk (1997, West Harling), but 1 it is now widespread in the county. 0

9 Habitat Woodland, gardens and parkland 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 . 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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. 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 Andrena clarkella on the first warm days of spring when 4 o temperatures reach about 15 C. They 3 appear slightly later than Andrena 2 bicolor in Swanton Novers woods. 1

Distribution widespread but thinly 0 distributed. 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Habitat woodland, scrub, heathland and 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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. 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

Distribution scarce in Norfolk with only 2 three post-2000 records: two in the Brecks 1 and one at Beeston Common. Probably 0 overlooked. 9

8 2000 – 2014 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Habitat scrub and heathland 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

Females have pale hair on the clypeus 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

Distribution widespread but scarce. It has 2 possibly declined owing to the loss of 1 damp places with fleabane. 0

9 Habitat sandy areas with open rough 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 (sometimes wet) ground, including rides in 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Swanton Novers Great Wood, Beeston Common the Glaven Valley and Breckland rides.

Flowers visited yellow composites (Asteraceae) especially Ragwort (TS) and Fleabane.

Nesting behaviour Not observed in Norfolk.

Parasites Nomada rufipes (DB). Andrena denticulata female on fleabane 27th August 2012 Swanton Novers Great Wood Andrena dorsata F/P Medium

Females have pale hair on the clypeus 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. 4 Distribution widespread and common. 3 North Norfolk is close to the northern edge 2 of its British range. 1 Habitat very varied including hedgerows, 0 gardens, woodland edge and heathland. 9

8 2000 – 2014 Flowers visited Angelica, Bramble, 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Creeping Thistle, Hedge Parsley, Sallow, 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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). Andrena dorsata cont.

Andrena dorsata male Constable Doles, Acle 29th Cerceris rybyensis with Andrena dorsata female prey. Kelling July 2015 (left). Note leg colouration. 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 2 expanded from the south of England in 1 recent years. Absent from Norfolk until 0 about 2002, but now widespread. 9 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Habitat sandy or clay soils including the Pre 1980 silt Fens and coastal cliffs. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

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.

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. Flight times May – July Andrena fucata

Distribution found throughout the British 3

Isles but uncommon in the county with 2 th only about five 20 Century records, from 1 north Norfolk, Roydon Common and the 0

Brecks. It was found again in 2012 at 9 Beeston Common, Weybourne and at 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Swanton Novers Great Wood, where it 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 appears to be reasonably common. 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 Not recorded in Norfolk 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. Andrena fulva Flight times April – June, with numbers 4 peaking in the second half of April. 3 Distribution widespread and sometimes 2 abundant. 1

Habitat gardens, woodland edge, 9

hedgerows, heathland, favouring light soils. 2000 – 2014 8 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 Bombilius major hovering while flicking eggs into an Andrena fulva nest, Walsey Hills, Norfolk. scarce in Norfolk. Bombilius major. 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. 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 Habitat heathland with bare ground. leg while simultaneously passing pollen from a middle to a back leg. 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. Andrena fuscipes cont. Andrena fuscipes Distribution this species is threatened in Europe, the UK being a stronghold 4 because of the abundance of heather. 3

It occurs throughout the British Isles 2 but becomes scarcer in the north. The 1 Norfolk distribution reflects the occurrence of heather in the county. 0 There appears to be a healthy meta- 9

8 2000 – 2014 population in the Brecks, with more 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 localised populations on the western 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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 cont.

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 orange- red 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 4 2015: a bit later on the north coast. Most 3 are finished by late May with a few 2 continuing into June. 1 0 Distribution common and widespread. 9

8 2000 – 2014 This is one of the most universal and 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 versatile Andrena species in Norfolk. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

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 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.

Andrena haemorrhoa mating (male faded), Devil’s Parasites Nomada ruficornis (BWARS). Dyke, Cambridgeshire, 21st April 2014

Andrena haemorrhoa male on female sallow, Stanta, 3rd April 2014. Nomada ruficornis female. Weybourne 21st June 2010 . 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 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 Andrena hattorfiana females in J B Norwich Castle Museum are of the dark form. Bridgman’s 19thC collection, Norwich Castle Museum – black form only. Andrena hattorfiana cont. Andrena hattorfiana Flight times June – August. 4 Distribution scarce: found in the Brecks, 3 the chalk near Sandringham, the soft cliff 2 coast and the Norwich area. 1 0 Habitat light soils with good populations of 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 scabious, including arable field margins. Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 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.

Andrena hattorfiana cont.

Andrena hattorfiana has been DATE GRID REF COUNTS recorded at Earlham Cemetery in 12.08.2005 None given Females observed-no count made.

Norwich since 2005 (SP), where up to 14.07.2009 TG212088 6 f.

9 females have been recorded (see 10.07.2011 TG213087/212087 9 f. table). This site is now surrounded by 24.07.2012 TG213087 6 f. the city and it is likely that the 18.07.2013 TG212087/213087 6 f. population became established when the cemetery was adjacent to open 02.07.2014 TG213087 7 f. country. 23.07.2015 TG213087 15 (m+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 Andrena helvola females and males, Bridgman collection, abdomen and pale hairs on the Norwich Castle Museum final tergite. The middle and hind tibia and tarsus have a pale cuticle. Andrena helvola cont.

Andrena helvola

Flight times April – June 4

3 Distribution apparently scarce: recorded from scattered sites. 2 1 Habitat associated with open woodland 0 and churchyards, including Rosary 9

Cemetery in Norwich. 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 . 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Flowers visited no Norfolk information

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. Andrena humilis Flight times Late May - July: females at a 4 nesting aggregation at Weybourne were digging nest holes on 21st May 2015, with 3 a few already collecting pollen. Mating was 2 seen on 22nd May. Most of the breeding 1 activity had ended by early June. However, 0 a lone female was bringing pollen to a nest 9

th 8 2000 – 2014 on Kelling Heath on 13 July 2015. 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Distribution there seem to be two meta- populations in the county: in the Brecks Flowers visited Asteraceae: and in the Norwich area up to the north Beaked Hawksbeard (Crepis coast cliffs. vesicaria), Common Catsear, Daisy. The first species was the Habitat Sandy ground with partially main pollen source when bees disturbed or trampled herbaceous first hatched at Weybourne. vegetation, with yellow Asteraceae, Hypochaeris flowered slightly including roadside verges. The species later and the bees used it when it may have benefited from a reduction in became available. verge trimming in the post 2008 recession (TS).

Andrena humilis cont. 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 Andrena humilis male (faded) alights on female to mate as the female struggled free. she enters her nest hole (Weybourne 22nd May 2015).

Andrena humilis female on Crepis vesicaria, Weybourne 26th May 2015 (left) Andrena humilis cont.

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 small narrow females. Andrena labialis females and males. Bridgman collection, Norwich Castle Museum

Flight times May – July (BWARS) Andrena labialis

Distribution Recorded by 4 Bridgman at Norwich in the late 3 1800s but no records since that 2 time. 1 0 9

2000 – 2014 8 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. Flight times May-June Andrena labiata

Distribution Thinly distributed, mostly in 3 the east of the county: possibly increasing. 2

1 Habitat Usually associated with germander speedwell, occurring in sheltered places on 0 well established grasslands, including a 9 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 garden near Blakeney. Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 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). 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 cont.

Andrena marginata male on common scabious showing white clypeus and long tongue, Weybourne Camp, 31st 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 cont.

Andrena marginata Flight timesJuly - September (continuing later than Andrena hattorfiana). 4 3 Distribution most records are from chalky 2 areas in the west of the county. There is a 1 strong population on recreated chalk 0 grassland (established 14 years) on the 9

8 2000 – 2014 Sandringham estate where it uses small 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 scabious. Its distribution in Norfolk is very similar to the other scabious specialist, Andrena hattorfiana Andrena hattorfiana. 4

Habitat chalky areas with scabious. 3 2

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Andrena marginata cont.

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. Andrena marginata cont.

Nesting behaviour No nests discovered in Norfolk so far.

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 distributed and 3 common in the county. 2

Habitat a wide range including gardens, 0 field margins, scrub, woodland edge, 9 grasslands. 8 2000 – 2014 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 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. 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 3 in the Brecks and on the coast between 2 Weybourne and Winterton, including Beeston Common (KD 1970s). 1 0

Habitat cliff tops and scrub. 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Flowers visited Hogweed, Lesser 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Knapweed.

Nesting behaviour not observed.

Parasites Nomada rufipes (BWARS). 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 4 below). 3

2 Distribution widespread and common in the county. 1 0

Habitat a wide range including gardens, 9 hedgerows, heathland and scrub. 2000 – 2014 8 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.] Andrena nigroaenea cont.

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). Andrena nigroaenea cont.

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 Andrena nigrospina male (Geoff Nobes). females recorded at Bowthorpe on 9th June 2011 (TS). Inland distribution cf Andrena Flowers visited Brassicaceae, pilipes which is coastal. A black female Cotoneaster. Andrena was photographed at Browston Nesting behaviour not observed in near Gt. Yarmouth in early July 2015; this Norfolk timing suggests Andrena nigrospina (TS). Parasites a form of Nomada fulvicornis (SF). Habitat brownfield site on sandy soil with a mix of wild and garden plants (sheduled for housing).

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 pilipes female (left) and male (right) on cultivated Eryngium, Rainham Andrena nigrospina female on Cotoneaster, Marshes, Essex 6th August 2015 (Ted Browston Great Yarmouth July 2015, A. Crudgington 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 Flight times April – June 4

Distribution widespread and common, 3 though not seen in large numbers. It is 2 fairly close to its northern UK limit in north 1

Norfolk. 0

9 Habitat gardens, hedgerows, orchards. 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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. 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 Andrena ovatula female showing complete hair band on third tergite. Weybourne Camp 2nd difference is that Andrena ovatula has a August 2015. complete white hair band on T3 (narrowing/interrupted in wilkella). Worn specimens can be very difficult to separate.

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. Andrena ovatula cont. 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.

Andrena ovatula cont.

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

2000 – 2014 8 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 Upper: Andrena ovatula females (left) and males th on sandy path, Felmingham 15 May (right). Females have orange tibia/tarsus. 2015. Lower: two females with dark legs. JBB collection Norwich Castle Museum. Parasites No Nomada species reported. Andrena ovatula cont.

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

2000 – 2014 8 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 cont. Andrena scotica Flight times March – July 4

Distribution widespread and common. 3 2 Habitat all habitats 1

Flowers visited Apple, Blackthorn, 9 Dandelion, Hawthorn, Hogweed, Holly, 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Bramble, Poppy, Sallow. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

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). Andrena scotica cont.

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 Andrena semilaevis male on Germander Speedwell, 25th May 2012, Warham Camp. Note thorax. There are white marginal bands on depressed margin of T4 just under wing tips. the abdomen, incomplete on T1 and T2. Punctation is similar to that of females. Andrena semilaevis cont. Andrena semilaevis Flight times May – August. 4 Distribution widespread and fairly 3 common. 2

Habitat verges, scrub, woodland edge, 1 gardens, churchyards etc. 0

Flowers visited Hedge Parsley, 8 2000 – 2014 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Germander Speedwell. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Nesting behaviour not recorded.

Parasites Nomada flavoguttata (DB).

Nomada flavoguttata female, Swanton Novers Great Wood 2nd August 2015 (right). Andrena subopaca P/M Small (Sub-genus Micrandrena)

Females have pale hairs on the clypeus 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

Distribution widespread and fairly 2 common. 1

Habitat possibly more associated with 9 woodland than other Micrandrena species 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 in Norfolk. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Flowers visited Dandelion, Germander Speedwell, Tormentil.

Nesting behaviour not observed.

Parasites Nomada flavoguttata (DB).

Andrena subopaca female on Tormentil. Swanton Novers Great Wood 13th May 2015 (right). Andrena synadelpha P/M Medium

Females have pale hairs on the clypeus 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 3 moderately abundant. Fewer records from 2 the west of the county. 1

Habitat woodland rides, heathland, 0 churchyards, hedgerows. 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Flowers visited two females loaded with 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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). 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 3 of ‘Andrena analis’ collected at Felthorpe on June 29th 1881, an earlier name for this 2 species. A female was collected at Buxton 1 Heath on 13th July 1979 (KD) and a male 0 near Swannington (10 miles distant from 9

8 2000 – 2014 Buxton Heath and close to Felthorpe) on 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 20th July 2010 (GN). These are the only 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 county records. A search of Buxton Heath on 20th July 2015 drew a blank, and there Parasites Nomada robertjeotiana was rather little Tormentil present. (BWARS). Recorded near King’s

Lynn in 1902 by E A Atmore Habitat acidic grassland with Tormentil. (Strudwick 2011). Andrena

tarsata is its only host. Flowers visited oligolectic on Tormentil.

Nesting behaviour not observed.

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.

Andrena thoracica Flight times March – August in two broods. 4

Distribution can be abundant in suitable 3 habitats, including sandy grassland and 2 brownfield sites around Norwich. Thought 1 to be increasing around Brundall, near 0 Norwich (TS). 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Habitat grassland, cliff tops, Brecks, 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 heathland, soft cliffs. Flowers visited Celandine (first brood) Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (TS) Bramble, Buddleia, Hogweed, White and Nomada goodeniana (BWARS). 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 tibialis P/M Large Females have pale hairs on the clypeus 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 4 the availability of Sallow pollen. 3

Distribution frequent in the Norwich area 1 and in the Brecks, including Stanta. Maps 0 for two other Sallow specialists are shown 9

8 2000 – 2014 for comparison. 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Habitat sandy areas with Willows, similar Andrena praecox to Andrena praecox. Both species 4 3 seemingly scarce/absent in the much of 2 the Broads, perhaps because of lack of 1 nest sites, but maybe overlooked. 0 9

8 2000 – 2014 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Flowers visited oligolectic on Sallow. 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Andrena clarkella

Nesting behaviour possible nest site in 3 mole hill, near sallows, Stanta. Males 2 observed patrolling Willows, Sallows and 1 0

Bird Cherry seeking females. 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Parasites Nomada fulvicornis (DB). 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 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. Andrena trimmerana Flight times all Norfolk records in July 4 and August, but also has a spring brood 3 (BWARS). 2 Distribution there is a female specimen collected by KD in the Norwich Castle 1 Museum, but this may have been 0 collected outside Norfolk. Otherwise 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 there are no county records until two Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 females were recorded at Brundall on th th 17 /18 August 2014. A female was Habitat hedgerow with collected at Mundesley Cliffs and uncultivated margin and scrub another at Cranwich Heath in early near the cut-off channel. st August 2015 and another female on 21 Flowers visited Bramble, August 2015 at Brundall Countryside Creeping Thistle. Park (all TS). These records are in Nesting behaviour not widely spaced localities, suggesting a observed. thinly spread but largely un-noticed Parasites Nomada marshamella population in the county. The national (BWARS). distribution is southern and these records may indicate a northern spread.

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

2000 – 2014 8 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.

Nesting behaviour not observed.

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 3 scattered localities. Andrena ovatula 2 shown for comparison showing very 1 different distributions reflecting contrasting 0 habitat preferences. However, there is 9 likely to be some confusion between these 2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 two very similar species. Pre 1980 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5

Habitat said to avoid gravelly/heathy Andrena ovatula habitats, but Norfolk records include Cranwich Camp, Holt Lowes, Kelling 4 Heath, Mousehold Heath and Santon 3

Warren. 2

Flowers visited Gorse. Polylectic but often 0 uses Fabaceae (SF). 9

2000 – 2014 8 1980 – 1999 Pre 1980 Nesting behaviour no information. 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]