Andrena (Chrysandrena) hesperia Smith, 1853

An oligolectic species, specialising in Asteraceae (Amiet, 2010; Pesenko in Banaszak, 1995)

Kemp et al (2014), citing others, states that females visit the flowers of Asteraceae, Brassicaceae, Rosaceae and Tamaricaceae (Pittioni and Stoeckhert 1950). Males are known to pollinate Ophrys sicula (Orchidaceae)(https://www.flickr.com/photos/nico_bees_wasps/3491236047/) and Ophrys lutea ssp. minor in Sardinia. Mavromoustakis (1948; 1951; 1952; 1953) reports visitation to Cichorium pumilum and Calendula arvensis (Asteraceae) as forage sources in Cyprus. Visitation by males is also noted at unspecified "Orchis" (Orchidaceae)

French data (possibly referencing Mavromoustakis, 1951) lists Calendula arvensis and Cichorium pumilum (Asteraceae) as species pollinated by A. hesperia (http://florabeilles.org/serie-abeille/andrena-hesperia).

Baldock et al. (in prep) report visitation to Calendula sp. (Asteraceae) in the Balearic Islands

%LABEL% (%SOURCE%)