Anthophora retusa explained

Anthophora retusa, the potter flower bee, is a species of solitary digger bee.

Distribution

A. retusa is generally found in Western Europe and southern Sweden.^[1] In the United Kingdom, A. retusa is thought to be limited to five sites, including Seaford Head Nature Reserve.

Identification

A. retusa can be differentiated from Anthophora plumipes by the hind-tibial spurs; in A. plumipes they are black while in A. retusa they are yellow or yellow-brown.^[2]

Habitat

A. retusa prefers sandy soils and is generally found on coastal dunes and cliffs as well as inland on commons and heathlands.^[3]

Population

A. retusa has suffered population decline since the Second World War but undergone rapid decline since the 1990s,^[4] similar to that seen in some bumblebee species.^{[3] [5]} It is an endangered species in Britain.^{[6] [7]}

Notes and References

1. Web site: Anthophora retusa (Linnaeus, 1758) . . 22 September 2020.
2. Web site: Anthophora retusa (Linnaeus,1758) . . 22 September 2020.
3. Web site: Cathy Horsley . Andrew Whitehouse . Steven Falk . South West Bees Project . . 22 September 2020 . 19–20 . November 2013.
4. Web site: Georgia Hennessy . Dave Goulson . Francis Ratnieks . Population assessment and foraging ecology of the rare solitary bee Anthophora retusa at Seaford Head Nature reserve . Figshare . 22 September 2020 . 2020.
5. Web site: Mike Edwards . Martin Jenner . Anthophora retusa The Potter Flower Bee . Hymettus . 22 September 2020 . 2 . 2008.
6. Web site: Rebecca L. Evans . Simon G. Potts . Iconic Bees: 12 reports on UK bee species . . . 22 September 2020 . 30–33 . 2013.
7. Web site: 4. Management Objectives, Targets and Actions . Seaford Town Council . 22 September 2020 . 3.