Andrena (Warnckandrena) ramlehiana Pérez, 1903

(Figs. 14–15, 33–35, 41)

Andrena Ramlehiana Pérez, 1903: 81, ♂ [Israel: MNHN].

Andrena Abeillei Pérez, 1903: 82, ♂ [Israel: MNHN], syn. Warncke 1967: 247.

Andrena ramlehiana Pérez: Warncke 1967: 192.

Andrena (Melittoides) ramlehiana Pérez: Warncke 1968: 45.

Andrena (Melittoides) ramlehiana Pérez: Gusenleitner & Schwarz 2002: 628–629 (first description of ♀).

Distribution: Andrena ramlehiana is known only from the central and southern coastal plain of Israel, and is most probably restricted to coastal habitats. Our examined material includes two extremely old specimens labelled “ Syria ”, without a specific locality or collection date, probably referring to the historic region of Syria in a broader sense. These specimens most likely originate from areas within present-day Israel or possibly Lebanon.

Flight period: February–April.

Flower records: Fabaceae: Lathyrus marmoratus .

Pollen preferences: Four analysed loads from Ein Sarid, Pardes Hanna, Zoran and Zur Moshe contained 100% Faboideae pollen ( Trifolium pratense - type, Astragalus,? Medicago, Vicia, Trifolium repens - type), suggesting that the species is broadly oligolectic on this plant subfamily.

Genetic sequences available: BOLD accession no. ANDPH029-21; Genbank accession no. SRX10365301 (UCE).

MATERIAL EXAMINED: LECTOTYPE: ISRAEL • ♂; Ramleh [Ramla]; MNHN. — non-type material: ISRAEL • 1♂; 1.2 km NW Bene Ziyyon [Bnei Zion]; 32°13’27” N, 34°51’22” E; 30 m a.s.l.; 13 Mar. 2010; A. Dorchin leg.; SMNHTAU 75708 • 1♀; En Sarid [Ein Sarid]; 2 Apr. 2014; I. Eliakim leg.; SMNHTAU 152531 • 1♂; En Vered [Ein Vered]; 19 Mar. 2014; I. Eliakim leg.; SMNHTAU 152522 • 1♀; Herzliyya [Herzliya], hill; 32°11’ N, 34°49’ E; 7 Mar. 2008; A. Freidberg leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; ibid.; 17 Mar. 2008 • 1♀; ibid.; SMNHTAU 402780 • 1♀; ibid.; 27 Mar. 2009 • 2♂; ibid.; 19 Feb. 2010; SMNHTAU 47673, 47674 • 1♀; ibid.; 13 Mar. 2010; SMNHTAU 47204 • 1♀; ibid.; 17 Mar. 2012; SMNHTAU 120424 • 1♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 120426 • 1♀; ibid.; 7 Apr. 2012; SMNHTAU 124433 • 2♂; ibid.; 28 Feb. 2015; SMNHTAU 205283, 205299 • 1♀; ibid.; 19 Mar. 2016; SMNHTAU 236978 • 1♂; Mehlaf Yavne; 31°54’ N, 34°44’ E; 2–20 Mar. 2013; W. Kuslitzky leg.; Malaise trap; SMNHTAU 143873 • 1♀; Nahal Alexander; 22 Mar. 2020; K. Levy leg.; SMNHTAU 337454 • 1♂; Netanya; 25 Feb. 2011; M. Guershon leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Pardes Hanna; 8 Apr. 1946; SMNHTAU 374707 • 2♂; Tel Aviv; 16 Feb. 1977; D. Simon leg.; SMNHTAU • 1♀; Yakum; 4 Mar. 2011; S. Watts leg.; on Lathyrus marmoratus; SMNHTAU 438908 • 1♂; ibid.; SMNHTAU 438909 • 1♂; ibid.; 21 Mar. 2011; SMNHTAU 438910 • 1♀; Zoran; 17 Mar. 2015; I. Eliakim leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 185794 • 1♀; Zur Moshe; 1 Apr. 2012; O. Afik leg.; SMNHTAU 106490 • 1♂; Zur Moshe; 16 Mar. 2015; I. Eliakim leg.; pan trap; SMNHTAU 185776 • 1♀; ibid.; BOLD accession no. ANDPH029-21, Genbank accession no. SRX10365301; SMNHTAU 185791. — COUNTRY UNKNOWN • 2♂; “Syria”; OLML.

Remarks. Warncke confused the female of A. ramlehiana with A. otoolei sp. nov. Andrena ramlehiana is known to us only from Israel’s Coastal Plain. Any specimens outside this range are suspected to be A. otoolei sp. nov.