Biologist Karim Strohriegl made a sensational discovery on land belonging to the nature conservation organisation directly on the Green Belt in south-eastern Styria.
Sensational find
The autumn timeless sand bee belongs to the genus of sand bees, of which around 170 species are known in Central Europe, making it the most species-rich genus in the region. This diversity, coupled with their great similarity, often makes the identification of these bees challenging. The newly discovered species Andrena pellucens was first recorded in Central Europe, more precisely in Switzerland, in 2020. It is assumed that this northern Mediterranean species migrated to Austria from Slovenia.
The autumn timeless sand bee - red beauty
This striking wild bee species is characterised by its red-coloured abdomen and, unlike most other sand bees, only flies towards the end of summer and into autumn. Their late activity often makes them difficult to spot, as less mapping takes place at this time.
The sensational discovery of no less than four specimens in Austria was made during a mapping project on Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union properties directly on the Green Belt in south-east Styria. This discovery emphasises the importance of preserving and protecting such near-natural border areas, which have developed and survived in the shadow of the Iron Curtain. Both the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union and its own grounds are actively committed to the "European Green Belt" as a ribbon of life across Europe that connects nature and people.
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Source: naturschutzbund.at
