This is a rather poorly-known species with very few observations. It flies fast and is generally scarce even at known sites. I was rather fortunate to encounter a male on the slopes of Erciyes Dağı perching territorially on bare stones, something which the males characteristically do whilst searching for queens. Despite its rarity it does not appear to be under any significant threats. It is a rather attractive species which is covered in pale yellow hairs with a yellow-orange tip of the abdomen.

Distribution: Not found in Europe, but is known from central and eastern Turkey.

Flight Period: Little data exists, but likely found in spring and summer.

Habitat: Characteristic of dry open alpine grassland and montane steppe. It is limited to the highest mountains in central and eastern Anatolia.

Flowers Visited: Limited data exists but it has been observed on Viper’s-Bugloss, Italian Alkanet, borages and thistles.

Personal Records: I have only found a single male of this species among dry montane steppe on the slopes of Erciyes Dağı in early August. It was perched territorially on bare stones, likely waiting for passing queens.