Nomada (Gestamen) atroscutellaris (Strand, 1921)

Nomada (Gestamen) atroscutellaris (Strand, 1921) View in CoL – Belg. sp. nov.

Figs 6 View Fig , 11 D View Fig

SHORT DESCRIPTION: A very small (6 mm) Nomada which can be confused with other small and entirely red-black species like N. sheppardana (Kirby, 1802) or N. distinguenda (Morawitz, 1874) . Propodeum and mesepisternum with a tuft of suberect hair ( SMIT, 2018). Most often found on the same flowers as its host ( Veronica chamaedrys – Plantaginaceae ) or near their nests.

HOST SPECIES: Andrena viridescens (Viereck, 1916) ( SMIT, 2018; WESTRICH, 2018)

DISTRIBUTION IN EUROPE: Most observations from this species are from Switzerland, southern Germany and Austria ( SMIT, 2018). The first observation from the Netherlands dates from the same year as the first record in Belgium, namely 2019 (I. Raemakers, pers. comm., I.2020). It was also recorded as a new species for SÜbniedersachsen in Germany in 2016 ( FECHTLER et al., 2021). The species has not been found in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg ( SMIT, 2018; HERRERA MESÍAS & WEIGAND, 2021) and the United Kingdom ( SMIT, 2018; ELSE & EDWARDS, 2018), but it has been found in France and Germany ( SMIT, 2018).

EU RED LIST STATUS: Least concern (LC) ( NIETO et al., 2014)

ORIGIN OF RECORDS:

- LIMBURG PROVINCE. Maasmechelen ; 1♀; 26.v.2019; leg./coll./det. K. Janssen. 2♂♂; leg./coll./det. K. Janssen. 1♀; 31.v.2021; leg./coll. D. De Grave; det. D. De Grave, J. Smit. 1♀ 1♂; 30.iv.2023; leg./coll./det. M. Wielandts.

- FLEMISH BRABANT. Beersel ; 1♀; 12.v.2021; leg./coll. L. Decrick; det. D. De Grave, J. Smit - Fig. 11 D View Fig .

- EAST FLANDERS PROVINCE. Ronse (Oost-Vlaanderen); 2♂♂; 21.iv.2022; leg./coll./ det. K. Schoonvaere.