Andrena oman, f, oman, face
Andrena species, Black-tipped Andrena, specimen collected by Jason Gibbs in Oman
Evolution has blessed the genus Andrena with over 1500 different species, making it the second richest of all bee genera (Hairy-tongue Bees, Lasioglossum, are first). Despite all this abundance of species they have not traveled very far south and do not occur in either South America or Australia and are relatively rare in Africa. So what fun is it to find that Jason Gibbs on an expedition to Oman has found an Andrena where no Andrena had been recorded before? Sadly, at this point we don’t know if this is a species of Andrena new to science or something previously described but not documented. Given that several Andrena are known from Saudi Arabia and many are known from Iran, one would suspect that this species might be identifiable, it certainly is a very distinctive looking bee. Unlike the majority of Andrena, but perhaps more common in extremely dry areas, this bee is not the normal black color but largely a lovely orange-red.
Further in Summer than the Birds
Pathetic from the Grass
A minor Nation celebrates
Its unobtrusive Mass.
No Ordinance be seen
So gradual the Grace
A pensive Custom it becomes
Enlarging Loneliness.
Antiquest felt at Noon
When August burning low
Arise this spectral Canticle
Repose to typify
Remit as yet no Grace
No Furrow on the Glow
Yet a Druidic Difference
Enhances Nature now
-- Emily Dickinson. Original public domain image from Flickr