A new Andrena (Planiandrena) species from Central Asia (Hymenoptera, Andrenidae)

Andrena is the second largest genus of bees, and is diversified across Mediterranean, temperate, and xeric climates, including large parts of Central Asia. The Andrena fauna of Central Asia is incompletely known due to its vast size, and new searches have revealed a new species of Andrena (Planiandrena), a species-poor subgenus found from the Middle East to Central Asia. Andrena (Planiandrena) aequinoctialis nov.sp. is described from south-eastern Kazakhstan where it is associated with early-flowering Gagea bulbifera (Liliaceae). A new identification key to members of the subgenus is presented, as it has now expanded to nine species from its original four. This finding illustrates the need for additional surveys during the early season in Central Asia to more fully characterise the Andrena fauna present in this region