Andrena (Chrysandrena) fulvago ( Christ, 1791 )

WOOD, T. J., 2024, Further revisions to the Palaearctic Andrena fauna (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae), Zootaxa 5483 (1), pp. 1-150 : 47-49

Andrena (Chrysandrena) fulvago ( Christ, 1791)

Apis fulvago Christ, 1791: 189 [ Germany, type lost]

Andrena constrictus Smith, 1849: 59 , ♂ [ Scotland, OUMNH, not examined]

Andrena colonialis Morawitz, 1886: 68 , ♀ ♂ [ Azerbaijan, ZISP, photograph examined] syn. nov.

Remarks. Andrena fulvago is one of the oldest described Andrena species, and the concept has remained robust for more than two centuries despite the lack of type material. It is the type species of the subgenus Chrysandrena Hedicke, 1933 that is found across the Palaearctic and which was confirmed as distinct from the Palaearctic subgenus Euandrena Hedicke, 1933 by Pisanty et al. (2022b). The two subgenera are very similar, but can be most clearly separated in the female sex by the presence of plumose scopal hairs in female Chrysandrena as an adaptation for the collection of Cichorioideae ( Asteraceae ) pollen, all known species of Chrysandrena specialising on this subfamily ( Westrich 1989; Wood 2023b; c).

The majority of the important Andrena species described by Ferdinand Morawitz have recently been illustrated, including the designation of lectotypes where appropriate ( Astafurova et al. 2021; 2022b). This includes the type material for A. colonialis which was described from the Caucasus ( Astafurova et al. 2021). The identity of A. colonialis has been obscure due to its differential treatment in the literature. Gusenleitner & Schwarz (2002) list A. colonialis as a Chrysandrena , but Osytshnjuk et al. (2008) list it as a Euandrena , and do not include it in their revision of Chrysandrena ( Osytshnjuk et al. 2005). This is surprising, because the female lectotype designated by Osytshnjuk et al. (2008) and illustrated by Astafurova et al. (2021: 15) is clearly a Chrysandrena , as it has obviously plumose tibial scopal hairs. Structurally, there is no difference between A. colonialis and A. fulvago ; both have narrow facial foveae that narrow further ventrally, plumose tibial scopae, hind tibiae that are lightened orange, pale pubescence over the remaining parts of the body, a light terminal fringe, and the clypeus, scutum, and terga display a polished integument with distinct isolated punctures. The only major difference is that the colouration of the tergal margins is lighter and more extensive in A. colonialis . However, this is variable within A. fulvago across its range, and is considered to represent only variation. Furthermore, Osytshnjuk et al. (2008) report that A. colonialis flies in July and August and is a specialist of Asteraceae , foraging predominantly on Cichorium intybus . This is consistent with the flight period and dietary niche of A. fulvago ; oligolecty on Asteraceae is currently unknown in the true Euandrena .

This association between Chrysandrena and Asteraceae can be reinforced by the new transfer made here of Andrena almas Tadauchi, Miyanaga & Dawut, 2005 from Euandrena to Chrysandrena . This species was described from Xinjiang in western China where it flies in August and is associated with Chondrilla brevirostris ( Asteraceae ) ( Tadauchi et al. 2005). In the description, the authors clearly mention the plumose scopal hairs, but concluded on a placement in the Euandrena . Confusingly, A. almas was later not included in a subsequent revision of East Asian Euandrena ( Xu & Tadauchi 2012) for unspecified reasons even though its description was mentioned in the introduction of this work. The combination of plumose scopal hairs, summer flight period, and association with Asteraceae supports movement from Euandrena to Chrysandrena . Examination of additional material from Kazakhstan ( Figures 30A–D ), Afghanistan ( Figures 30E–F ), and Russia (Siberia) substantially expands the geographic range, and the species may be present in other dry parts of Central Asia.

Separately, Smith (1849) described A. constrictus [recte A. constricta ] from Scotland. This species has been listed as a synonym of A. fulvago for a long time (e.g. Warncke 1967). However, A. fulvago has never been recorded from Scotland ( Else & Edwards 2018). Type inspection is necessary to clarify the true identity of A. constricta .

Distribution. Palaearctic, from Iberia across Europe and northern Turkey to the Caucasus and Eastern Siberia ( Gusenleitner & Schwarz 2002; Proshchalykin et al. 2017).

Other material examined ( Andrena almas ) AFGHANISTAN: Baloutchah, W Tagab Echnan, 7.viii.1962, 1♀, leg. K. Lindberg, OÖLM (No A 1075, ex. coll. Entomology Collection, Lund Museum; Figures 30A–D ) ; KAZAKHSTAN: Alma-Ata [Almaty], 7.viii.1991, 1♀, leg. M. Snižek, OÖLM ( Figures 30E–F ) ; RUSSIA: Eastern Siberia, Cherepanovo , train station, 282 m, 3.viii.2010, 5♀, leg. Michez & DeMeule, NHMUK .

Figures

FIGURE 30. Andrena (Chrysandrena) almas Tadauchi, Miyanaga & Dawut, 2005 female from Kazakhstan.A. Habitus, lateral view; B. Scutum and head, dorsal view; C. Terga, dorsal view; D. Tibial scopae, lateral view; Female from Afghanistan. E. Habitus, lateral view; F. Face, frontal view.