Andrena (Plastandrena) bimaculata (KIRBY, 1802)

Polylectic: The species flies in two generations: the first one from end of March to May on Salix (Salicaceae) and the second one in July and August on Sinapis, Brassica napus, Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae); Reseda lutea (Resedaceae); Rosa sp. (Rosaceae), Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae) and Succisa pratensis (Dipsacaceae). It is considered a pollinator of orchards and it nests solitary in sandy soils (Osytshnjuk 1977, Dylewska 1987).

The spring brood forages from Prunus spinosa (Rosaceae) and Salix (Salicaceae) the summer one from Tilia (Tiliaceae); Rubus (Rosaceae); Spiraea ulmaria, Castanea (Fagaceae); Ligustrum (Oleaceae) and an Allium cultivar (Liliaceae) (Chambers, 1968).

Westrich (1989) lists plants from 5 different plant families: Brassicaceae, Liliaceae, Rosaceae, Salicaceae, Tiliaceae.

Mavromoustakis (1948; 1952; 1953; 1954) lists the following forage sources in Cyprus: Amygdalus communis, Prunus armeniaca; Crataegus azarolus, Pyrus sp. (Rosaceae); Tamarix (Tamaricaceae); Sinapis alba (Brassicaceae). The second brood will visit Tamarix (Tamaricaceae); Eryngium creticum (Apiaceae), Ruta halepensis bracteosa (Rutaceae) and Cardopatium corymbosum (Asteraceae).

Tomozei (2017) citing others states that the first generation forages on Salix (Salicaceae) and the second one in July and August on Sinapis, Brassica napus, Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae), Reseda lutea (Resedaceae), Rosa (Rosaceae), Rhamnus (Rhamnaceae) and Succisa pratensis (Dipsacaceae). It is considered a pollinator of orchards and it nests solitary in sandy soils (Osytshnjuk 1977, Dylewska 1987).
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