Colletes slevini

Cockerell, 1925

Slevin's cellophane bee, Slevin's polyester bee

Colletes slevini, commonly known as Slevin's cellophane or Slevin's polyester bee, is a solitary ground-nesting bee in the . As a member of the Colletes, it shares the characteristic of lining its underground with a cellophane-like secretion produced from the . The is found in North America, though specific details about its range and remain limited in published sources. Like other Colletes species, it is a native that emerges in spring.

Colletes slevini by (c) redrovertracy, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by redrovertracy. Used under a CC-BY license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colletes slevini: //ˈkɒl.ɪ.tiːz ˈslɛv.ɪ.naɪ//

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Identification

Identification of C. slevini requires microscopic examination. Members of the Colletes can be distinguished from similar mining (Andrena) and sweat bees (Halictus, Lasioglossum) by: a forked or bifurcated (tongue) when extended; a -shaped in frontal view (round in Andrena); and an S-shaped second recurrent in the forewing (straight in Andrena). Males have longer than females and lack the scopa (pollen-collecting hairs) on the hind legs. -level identification within Colletes is difficult and typically requires examination of subtle morphological characters.

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Distribution

North America. Specific range details beyond this continental-level distribution are not documented in available sources.

Ecological Role

As a member of the Colletes, this functions as a native solitary . Based on genus-level characteristics, females are ground-nesting and likely contribute to pollination of spring-blooming plants.

Human Relevance

Ground-nesting of Colletes are sometimes perceived as threats by homeowners, though they are docile and reluctant to sting. No specific human relevance information is documented for C. slevini.

Similar Taxa

  • Colletes inaequalisSympatric spring-flying with similar nesting and appearance; microscopic examination required for separation.
  • Andrena spp.Mining that share ground-nesting habit and general appearance; distinguished by round and straight second recurrent in forewing.
  • Halictus spp.Sweat that overlap in size and ; distinguished by wing venation and mouthpart structure.

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Sources and further reading