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Could this be Andrena cineraria?? It looks very like online photos of it, but I don't know how many other Andrena sp. bees look very similar.

7.4.10 Cornwall, far southwest UK.

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Possible but an extremel said, which complicates the task!

Camille

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Thanks Camille, but I don't quite understand your comment. What is it that complicates the task?

Here is another photo of a different individual, but i think of the same species. Andrena cineraria?

17.4.10 Wiltshire SW UK

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Andrena vaga looks quite similar but I think this is a A. cineraria.

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Many thanks Berka. Your input helps me be surer these are A. cineria. I believe A.vaga is rare in the UK and only known in the far south east (http://www.bwars.com/maps_bees.htm), while my sites are in the southwest of the UK, where A.cineraria is often reported. And maybe A.cineraria has more of a black band on the thora than A.vaga x from what I've read.
Nick

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I think a bit dropped out of Camille's posting. My conjecture is: '...an extremely difficult genus as you said...' :D. The last post shows how easily things get misplaced in typing here: 'thora....x'

Stephen.

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Glad to help. Yes, my experience is that cineraria often has a non-hairy spot on thorax. Glad to see some bee photos :)

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OK, thanks all. Have some more bees to post after I get back from a trip in 8 days, as I took a photo of a really odd one with really, long wispy hairs on its middle legs today.
Nick