Andrena denticulata (Kirby, 1802)
Synonyms
Andrena listerella (Kirby, 1802).
Description and notes
This is a medium-sized Andrena, one of a group of five species (A. denticulata, A. fuscipes (Kirby), A. nigriceps (Kirby), A. simillima Smith and A. tridentata (Kirby)) where the females have distinctive, triangular hind tibiae which do not incurve distally and with a strongly banded appearance to the copiously-haired abdomen. Within the group the species are all rather similar, especially the males.
Distribution
Although widely dispersed throughout Great Britain and Ireland, this species is localised and rarely frequent at any one site. It is possible that the species is declining due to overall habitat loss.
A. denticulata is widespread in Europe. However, it has been categorised as Red List 3, Endangered, in Germany.
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.
Identification
Female (left) and male (right).
(Photos: Steven Falk)
Habitat
May be found in open, grassland habitats where there is a good representation of yellow Asteraceae flowers. It is most often associated with sandy areas.
Flight period
Univoltine; July to September.
Pollen collected
There is disagreement about this species in the published literature. Chambers (1968) gives pollen sources from a wide range of plant species, but Westrich (1989) states that it is oligolectic on the flowers of the Asteraceae. My own observations support the latter view, but clearly more research is required.
Nesting biology
Nests singly in the ground.
Flowers visited
A variety of species of the Asteraceae, especially yellow-flowered ones.
Parasites
The cuckoo-bee Nomada rufipes Fabricius is a parasite of this species.
Year profile last updated
2006