Unknown Bee - Andrena milwaukeensis

Moved

… Beatriz Moisset, 3 November, 2007 - 1:26pm

Andrena (Andrena) milwaukeensis Graenicher female

western populations of this species have very extensively fulvous abdomens whereas in the east most individuals have only T1-2 are fulvous and T3- black.

A. fulva looks very similar and is closely related but is larger

… John S. Ascher, 2 November, 2007 - 12:55pm

Mystery solved

Thanks, once again. I am disappointed and relieved that it is not another alien. Who needs more of those?

… Beatriz Moisset, 3 November, 2007 - 1:26pm

Puzzling.

Reminds me of one of the European Andrena spp. Do you know if there have been any such bee species introduced to Alberta? The name that comes to mind is the "rufus mining bee," or something like that.

… Eric R. Eaton, 10 January, 2006 - 2:23pm

Intriguing

Eric is right, Dr. Vereecken, a European entomologist, confirms that this looks like Andrena fulva, here are some of his images from the Netherlands.
Do you have more images or even a specimen? Have you submitted this finding to the local Agriculture Extension? If it is a European bee found in Canada it is a very interesting finding. I know that this post has been lying dormant for a long time but it is time to do something about it.

… Beatriz Moisset, 29 October, 2007 - 2:30pm

Answers to questions

I agree that the bee looks similiar to A. fulva. I have the specimen so can take additional photos as required. What do we need to make a more accurate determination? No I have not submitted the bee to Agri Canada for further ID.

… R. Bercha, 30 October, 2007 - 10:24pm