The Essex Naturalist
87
Quarry, Watts Wood, Mill Wood Pit, Grays Chalk Quarry, Mucking Heath
(Orsett Golf Course), Ferry Fields (Tilbury), Fobbing Hill, Linford Sand Pit,
Pitsea Marshes, Hadleigh Downs).
[H. (Lamdopsis) euryscapus Forster - RDB3
A record for South Essex (Nicholson 1928) is noted as requiring checking in
Falk (1991).]
H. (Abrupta) cornutus Curtis - Notable A
The only yellow-faced bee without yellow markings on the face. It seems to have
a preference for Umbellifer flowers. There are recent records from Elsenham
Sand Pit in North Essex and Dunton (R G Payne), Dolphin Quarry, Mill Wood
Pit and Ferry Fields (Tilbury) in Thurrock, South Essex.
ANDRENIDAE - MINING BEES
SUBFAMILY ANDRENINAE
Many of these bees collect pollen from a restricted number of plant species, in
some cases with an obligate association with a single plant species. They nest in
the ground, often selecting short cropped grasslands with bare ground on warm
south-facing slopes, banks or sand faces. There is often a requirement for flower-
rich areas for foraging. Forty-seven of the sixty-six British species have been
recorded for Essex, but old records for A. rosae and A. tridentata are
unconfirmed. We have recent records for 36 species.
Andrena (Andrena) apicata Smith - Notable B
Closely associated with flowering sallows Salix from which the females collect
pollen. Noted by Nicholson (1928) from Billericay. There are no recent records.
A. (Andrena) clarkella (Kirby)
Noted by Nicholson (1928) from Billericay, Colchester district and St Osyth.
Recent records are for Harlow Park, Chigborough Lakes and Heybridge Gravel
Pits in North Essex, Eastbrookend, Linford Sand Pit and Thrift Wood Pits south
of Maldon in South Essex.
A. (Andrena) fucata Smith
Harwood (1884) records the species as rare, St Osyth, on bramble species.
Nicholson (1928) notes the species as not common, Billericay, Colchester district
and St Osyth. The only recent record is of a male from the Mill Wood Pit area.
A. (Andrena) fulva (Muller in Allioni)
= armata (Gmelin in L.)
Harwood (1884) records the species and Nicholson (1928) states that the
species often burrows into lawns, and is local but widely distributed, noting it
from Billericay, Chingford, Hale End and the Colchester district. We have
recent records from 12 localities across the county. Although conspicuous and
attractive it has an early flight period and is probably very under-recorded.