Genus Colletes - Cellophane bees

98 spp. in our area, 460 spp. worldwide(1)

Overall shape: similar to a honey bee

Gaster: conical with pointed apex, and with flattened underside contrasting with very convex tergites.

Forewings: 2nd and 3rd submarginal cells roughly the same size, slightly curved "basal" vein. 2nd recurrent vein strongly arcuate.

much of the world, except Australasia and the Oriental Region (map)(1)

Virtually indistinguishable from some of the Andrenidae mining bees. Colletes are honey bee size, and have dramatic black and white banding on the abdomen. Some andrenids have similar markings, but are usually slightly smaller. Colletes tend to nest in dense aggregations, while andrenids are not usually as populous. -by Eric Eaton