This is one of the Chlorandrena species and is similar in appearance to many of its relatives. It is a medium-sized species and females are primarily dark in colour with a orange terminal fringe and yellow-orange hindleg hairs. The characteristics of the female to look out for are the dull, shagreened (roughened) scutum, pale facial hairs, a row of small spines on the hind femur and foveae which broaden towards the top of the head and don’t coverge towardst he ocelli. The males are more non-descript and are best determined using the genitalia.

Distribution: This is a species of southewestern Europe, occuring in much of France, southwestern Germany, western Switzerland, Spain and Portugal.

Flight Period: Little information is know, but it appears to be univoltine during the spring, probably between April – June.

Habitat: Found in warm, dry habitats rich in Asteraceae, such as field margins, scrub, brownfield land, steppic grassland, meadows and maquis.

Flowers Visited: Like its close relatives, this species forages on composite flowers (Asteraceae), particularly yellow flowers like hawkweeds, hawkbits and various others.

Personal Records: I have observed this species around agricultural margins in southern Madrid. Females were locally frequent on various yellow Asteraceae here.