Andrena (Hoplandrena) mordax MORAWITZ, 1876

Andrena (Hoplandrena) mordax MORAWITZ, 1876 View in CoL ( Figs 18-19 View Figs 17-21 ; 22-27 View Figs 22-27 )

M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Afghanistan: GrosserPamir , Issiktal [Isikmountain, Isik, Wakhan Corridor], 3500 m, 18-25.viii.1975, 9♀, leg. H. Huss, coll. Biologiezentrum Linz ; India: Ladakh , Leh Tehsil, Rumbak, 3850 m, 1.ix.2015, 1♁, 2♀, leg. M. Jacobs, coll. Maarten Jacobs.

R e m a r k s: Andrena mordax is an uncommon but typical species of Central Asia. The type material (a male) was illustrated by ASTAFUROVA et al. (2022), and differs slightly from the male pictured here ( Figs 23; 25; 25 View Figs 22-27 ), specifically due to the genital capsule which has the penis valves comparatively slightly wider basally, whereas they are slightly more narrow in the Indian specimen ( Fig. 27 View Figs 22-27 ). Otherwise, the specimens conform well to the concept of A. mordax in both sexes ( Figs 22-27 View Figs 22-27 ; OSYTSHNJUK et al. 2008). Specimens were observed foraging on Mentha ( Lamiaceae ) at the Rumbak site ( Figs 18-19 View Figs 17-21 ). In addition to reporting A. mordax as new for India, the species is reported from Afghanistan for the first time from the Wakhan Corridor (Isik mountain, not to be confused with lake Issyk Kul in Kyrgyzstan), linking populations in Central Asia proper with those in Ladakh.

D i s t r i b u t i o n: Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Afghanistan *, India * (Ladakh) ( OSYTSHNJUK et al. 2008; ASTAFUROVA et al. 2022).