Colletes aestivalis

Patton, 1879

Alumroot Cellophane Bee, Summer Cellophane Bee

Colletes aestivalis is a solitary ground-nesting in the Colletidae, commonly known as the Alumroot Cellophane Bee. It is one of approximately 99 Colletes in North America. Like other members of its , females construct individual burrows in sandy soils and line with a distinctive cellophane-like secretion from the . The specific epithet 'aestivalis' (Latin for 'of summer') reflects its summer period, distinguishing it from many that are active in spring or fall.

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Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colletes aestivalis: /kɔˈlɛteɪz aɪˈstɪvəlɪs/

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Identification

Difficult to distinguish from and similar without close examination. The S-shaped second recurrent in the forewing separates Colletes from Andrena (where this vein is relatively straight). The -shaped distinguishes Colletes from the round-faced Andrena. Confirmation to level requires microscopic examination; summer period helps separate C. aestivalis from spring- and fall-active congeners.

Images

Appearance

Medium-sized with a -shaped when viewed -on. The forewing has three submarginal beneath the marginal cell. The second recurrent is distinctly sinuous (S-shaped), a key diagnostic feature. Females possess a brush of pollen-collecting hairs (scopa) on the hind legs; males lack this scopa and have longer .

Habitat

Sandy soils with sparse vegetation, including bare patches in lawns, coastal dunes, and open ground. Nests in where soil conditions permit. Requires sunny locations for nesting sites.

Distribution

North America; present across the continent with records from multiple regions. Specific range boundaries not well documented.

Seasonality

active in summer (June–August), distinguishing this from many that fly in spring or fall. with one per year.

Life Cycle

Females excavate individual burrows up to 26 cm deep in sandy soil. Each burrow contains multiple lined with a waterproof, cellophane-like secretion from the applied over a base layer of saliva. Each cell receives a single and is provisioned with a semi-liquid mixture of nectar and pollen. Larvae develop through summer and fall, pupating to emerge the following summer.

Behavior

Solitary but nests in dense that may contain hundreds to thousands of individuals in favorable sites. Males emerge first (protandry) and actively pursue females, forming mating balls. Males patrol nesting areas and frequently land on the ground. Females are continuously active, entering and leaving burrows to forage and provision . Docile and extremely reluctant to sting; females risk reproductive failure if they sting and die.

Ecological Role

of flowering plants. Specific plant relationships not documented, but may be oligolectic (specialized to particular plant ) or polylectic () like other Colletes .

Human Relevance

Beneficial that poses minimal sting risk. Large in lawns sometimes cause concern but should be conserved. can be eliminated by use or destruction. Increasing turf through overseeding and irrigation reduces nesting suitability if removal is desired.

Similar Taxa

Colletes inaequalisSpring-active with overlapping range; distinguished by earlier period
Colletes thoracicusSpring-active ; distinguished by earlier period and subtle morphological differences requiring microscopic examination
Andrena spp.Mining bees with similar ground-nesting ; distinguished by straight second recurrent and round
Halictus spp.Sweat bees of similar size; distinguished by different wing venation and lack of cellophane lining
Lasioglossum spp.Small sweat bees that may co-occur; distinguished by different wing venation and nesting

More Details

Nesting Biology

The cellophane-like lining secreted by females creates a 'plastic baggie' that maintains freshness of the liquid provisions for developing larvae. This unique nesting gives the its of 'polyester bees,' 'plasterer bees,' and 'cellophane bees.'

Aggregation Persistence

Nesting may occupy the same location year after year when soil conditions remain favorable, making site protection important for persistence.