The Essex Naturalist
111
A. (Anthophora) quadrimaculata (Panzer) - Notable B
Noted by Nicholson (1928) for Billericay. Falk (1991) states that this is a very
local species which is sometimes common in gardens. The only recent records
are from Broom Hill (West Tilbury).
A. (Anthophora) retusa (L.) - RDBl
Recorded by Harwood (1884) from Nayland, etc., rare. Nicholson (1928) lists
Billericay and the Colchester district. In the past the species was widespread and
locally common. It has undergone a serious decline-in Britain with post-1970
records restricted to the Isle of Wight and a coastal site in Essex (Falk 1991).
The distribution map in Falk shows the post-1970 record for North Essex in the
Walton Naze area. We do not have further details.
A. (Clisodon) furcata (Panzer)
Burrows in old posts and rotten trees. Recorded for the Colchester district by
Harwood (1884) and Nicholson adds Billericay and Hale End. We have recent
records for six localities. These are Broom Hill (West Tilbury), Dolphin Pit and
Dagenham Chase in the East Thames Corridor, Lords Bushes (Hanson 1992) in
the Epping Forest area and Chigborough Lakes and Rowhedge (M Edwards,
1986) in North Essex.
A. (Heliophilus) bimaculata (Panzer)
We have recent records from five localities, but the hee is almost certainly very
under-recorded. Our records are for Fingringhoe Wick in North Essex (G Else,
1986) and Broom Hill (West Tilbury), Linford Sand Pit, Mill Wood Pit and
Grays in Thurrock. Each year the bee comes to lavender flowers in some
numbers at PH's small garden in Grays.
SUBFAMILY MELECTINAE
Cleptoparasites of the genus Anthophora. Both British species have been
recorded in Essex but M. luctuosa may now be extinct in Britain.
Melecta albifrons (Forster)
= M. armata (Panzer) preocc.
A cleptoparasite of the flower bee Anthophora plumipes. It is recorded from the
Colchester district by Harwood (1884) and Nicholson (1928) also lists Billericay
and Hale End. We have recent records for only five localities. These are Broom
Hill (West Tilbury), City of London Cemetery (Manor Park), and Grays (PH's
garden) in the East Thames Corridor, and Chigborough Lakes and East Mersea
in North Essex.
M. luctuosa (Scopoli) - RDB1
A cleptoparasite of the rare (RDB1) Anthophora retusa. Harwood (1884) records
the species from the Colchester district and this is noted again by Nicholson
(1928). The last confirmed British records appear to be for the New Forest,
where it was apparently numerous up to 1912 (Falk 1991) but it does not seem
to have been recorded since.