94
The Essex Naturalist
A. (Taeniandrena) ocreata (Christ) - Notable B
= similis Smith, F. preocc.
Nicholson (1928) notes the species as local, on commons, on ground ivy,
Veronica and trefoils. We have no recent records. Falk (1991) states that this is a
scarce species which seems to have undergone a substantial decline in southern
Britain, where it was once widespread.
A. (Taeniandrena) ovatula (Kirby)
Recorded hy Harwood (1884), as A. afzeliella, without further details. Nicholson
(1928) notes the species from the Colchester district and Billericay. There are
recent records in the county from only five localities, all in Thurrock at Broom
Hill (West Tilbury), Linford Sand Pit, Linford Wood, Mill Wood Pit and
Mucking Heath (Orsett Golf Course) but the species may be more widespread
than these records suggest.
A. (Taeniandrena) wilkella (Kirby)
Noted by Nicholson (1928) on heavy soils, preferring Leguminosae, Billericay,
Hale End, etc. There are recent records only from six localities in Thurrock,
Thorndon Park South, and Wormingford Mere in North Essex but the species is
likely to be more widespread.
SUBFAMILY PANURGINAE
We have recent records for both British species.
Panurgus calcaratus (Scopoli)
Recent records only from six localities in Thurrock where it is quite common
(Broom Hill, Dolphin Pit, East Tilbury silt lagoons, Ferry Fields, Grays Chalk
Quarry, Mill Wood Pit.
P. banksianus (Kirby)
The only records we have are for Wanstead Flats in 1991 (coll. M Hanson) and
Broom Hill (West Tilbury) in 1993.
HALICTIDAE
SUBFAMILY HALICTINAE
Genus: Halictus. Mining bees. Two of the six British species are recorded for
the county.
Halictus (Halictus) rubicundus (Christ)
Recorded from the Colchester district by Harwood (1884) and given by
Nicholson (1928) as generally distributed, Billericay, Hale End, Woodford, etc.
There are recent records from 15 localities, spread across the county.
H. (Seladonia) tumulorum (L.)
Recorded from the Colchester district by Harwood (1884) without further detail.
Nicholson notes the species from "Billericay, etc." Today it seems to be a
common and widespread species with records from 28 localities across the county.