Red Data Book species, rare because of very restricted range.It is found in scrubland on Cistaceae. Deforestation and the reforestation with non-native species and the elimination of Mediterranean scrub due to cutting , spraying, ploughing and forest fires are threats to this species. Identified by Javier Ortiz and Christian Schmid-EggerSadly spraying off 'weeds' still continues in Jimena. As soon as May begins all the flowers these many insect photos are taken on are killed..... SO SAD! Alcornocales N.P. Andalucia, Spain
2010.08.25 Vienna XXII. (Hausgraben - bayou 153 m AMSL).Oligolectic on Dipsacaceae family.German name: "Dipsacaceen-Sandbiene" (couldn't find a German name) (+ Borsten-Karde)ID: Johann Neumayer @ naturbeobachtung_at; he mentions there that this species is oligolectic, i. e. collecting pollen only from plants of the Dispacaceae family (in Austria preferably from Scabiosa, Succisa and Dipsacus); I've found contradicting opinions on the www but as this man is an expert in the field I trust his judgement