Andrena praecox (Scopoli,1763)
Synonyms
Andrena smithella KIRBY 1802; Andrena clypeata SMITH 1855;
Description and notes
Andrena praecox and A. apicata comprise a closely related species-pair, individuals of which can be difficult to identify (especially with respect to females). In some sites, both species fly together.
Distribution
Rather local, but often common where it does occur, throughout much of southern Britain, as far north as south Yorkshire. Perkins (1919) records the species from Scotland, though no locality is listed. There are no records of it from the Channel Islands. In Ireland, reported from Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Wicklow and Dublin (Stelfox 1927). In Europe, the species is broadly boreo-alpine, ranging from Fennoscandia and Germany south to Spain, Austria and northern Italy. In Asia, found in the Caucasus.
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.
Habitat
Heathland and open woodland where there is sufficient sallow to support populations of this bee.
Flight period
Univoltine; early March to the end of April or early May.
Pollen collected
Strongly oligolectic on sallows, although Chambers (1968) also found bulbous buttercup (Ranunculus bulbosus) and pear (Pyrus sp.) pollens in the pollen load samples he analysed.
Nesting biology
Small nesting aggregations have been encountered in sparsely vegetated deciduous woodland (M Edwards, pers. comm.; G R Else, pers.obs.). Perkins (1919) mentions large nesting aggregations, though on mainland Europe the species is reported to nest solitarily (Dylewska 1987; Westrich 1987).
Flowers visited
Females have only been seen visiting sallow (Salix spp.)catkins. Although males often fly about these blossoms, they rarely seem to visit the flowers for nectar.
Parasites
The rare cleptoparasitc bee Nomada ferruginata attacks the nests of this species (Perkins 1919; Westrich 1989). Specimens are rarely stylopized.
Year profile last updated
2002