Andrena dorsata

Females are easily recognised by the broad hind tibiae with a very short dorsal hair fringe coupled with the largely glabrous abdomen bearing white hair fringes along the hind margin of tergites 2-4. Males resemble small slim females and can be distinguished from species like wilkella and ovatula by the dark hind tibiae and longer hind tarsi, which are about 1.5 times the length of the tibiae.

Most solitary bees and wasps are difficult to identify, and can rarely be identified from photos taken in the field.  All red-rated records should include a photo, or set of photos, showing the key characters, which may require the specimen. Please include a face shot, side, top and wings.  Note whether male or female, explain how the specimen met the key characters and the key used.  We will accept records identified by a recognised local or national expert, or that have been identified via the BWARS’ Facebook noting the name of the person/organisation identifying the record (e.g. ‘Stuart Roberts, BWARS Facebook’).

The spring generation forages heavily on spring blossoming shrubs and spring umbellifers, whilst the summer generation likes brambles, summer umbellifers, thistles and ragworts.

The spring generation flies from March to May and the summer generation from July to September.

A. dorsata is widespread and locally common in southern England. It is now thought to be expanding its range northwards with records extending north to Lincolnshire and has also been recorded in South Wales.

Rare in VC55 –- this species had not been recorded in Leicestershire and Rutland since the early 1900s until the Sapcote record of March 2014.