#blindgin

The Lost Chestnut Bee.  Have you seen this bee lately (that bee would be Andrena rehni)?  No you have not unless you have been looking on blooming Chestnut or the blooms of Chestnut's mysterious sister,  Chinquapin. As far as we can tell no one has seen this species for decades. Why?  It seems that this is likely due to the fact that this bee is a chestnut specialist and since the American Chestnuts disappeared in the 20's and no one looks at the obscure Chinquapin, then, of course, there will be no records.  Many do not realize that the chestnut was a pollinator powerhouse back before they all died.  Providing tons of pollen in a forested environment in late spring/early summer when nothing else was blooming in the woods.   There is so much about this tree that is special and stands out and now it appears we have one special thing to add to that special list.   This specimen was found by Morgan Lowry on one of the state of Connecticut's chestnut groves.  You can also make a contribution by looking for this species on American Chestnuts and Chinquapins.  Photo by Cole Cheng.