Chemical cues involved in the attraction of the oligolectic bee Hoplitis adunca to its host plant Echium vulgare

► We study the role of scent of Echium vulgare in the attraction of the oligolectic bee Hoplitis adunca. ► H. adunca is capable of discriminating E. vulgare from other Boraginaceae based on scent cues. ► We characterize the volatiles emitted by whole plants, whole flowers, pollen and nectar. ► The scent from the studied plant components is different. ► We suggest candidate chemicals likely involved in the specific attraction of H. adunca.