Andrena labiata Fabricius is a nationally notable bee which has declined
significantly and apparently disappeared from many former parts of its
range. The species is known from a wide variety of habitats and even
used to be a frequent garden species in some areas. There is a close
and possibly obligate association with Germander Speedwell Veronica
germanica and a requirement for sandy banks and slopes for nesting
(Falk, 1991). The bee occurs at the Chadwell site in some numbers and
I have also found it at Mucking Heath (Orsett Golf Course).
Andrena pilipes Fabricius is a nationally notable bee which has again
declined substantially particularly inland. There was a very strong
colony at Walton Naze Undercliffs (TM2623) present in 1992, but there
is also a quite a good population present at Chadwell where Roger
Payne first collected a specimen in August 1991. During 1993 I found
one individual nesting at an old sand pit at Linford and another female
collecting pollen from bramble blossom at Mucking Heath.
Andrena tibialis (Kirby) is another nationally notable bee (Notable A) that
remains widespread but very local. It appears to have declined
substantially in many districts, probably in response to the loss and
deterioration of suitable habitats. Post-1970 records are known for
about 25 sites. The species is normally single brooded with adults
reported from mid March to late May and occasionally into June. Pollen
is obtained from a variety of flowers but Sallow is frequently referred to
in British records (Falk, 1991). I collected a male of this species (conf.
J. Felton) in 1993 from both Linford Wood (TQ6779) and Linford Sand
Pit. In these localities Salix is present in good quantity. Linford Wood is
a particularly interesting wood containing an Equisetum marsh (now
rather dry) with a spider fauna typical of marshy places and sedge beds.
The Notable B bee Andrena trimmerana (Kirby) is very local and declined
over much of its range, especially inland populations (Falk, 1991). I
have collected specimens (det. J. Felton) from Hadleigh Downs, The
Cliff near Burnham-on-Crouch, Chadwell and also from Linford Sand Pit.
Andrena varians (Rossius) is yet another nationally notable bee that
seems to have declined over much of its range. It has always had a
patchy distribution but a general shift away from non-intensive
agriculture, the deterioration and fragmentation of suitable habitats and
the increased use of pesticides on fruit trees could all eliminate the bee
from large areas (Falk, 1991). Apparently pollen is usually collected
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