Colletes validus

Cresson, 1868

Blueberry Cellophane Bee

Colletes validus is a solitary, ground-nesting in the , commonly known as the blueberry cellophane bee. It is a of ericaceous plants, particularly in early spring when Vaccinium bloom. The species exhibits gregarious nesting in sandy soils and is notable for its distinctive elongated, triangular facial structure.

Colletes validus nesting habitat by Dorianscale3. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

TricraniaSanguinipennis by Dorianscale3. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

ColleteValidusNesting by Dorianscale3. Used under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Colletes validus: /koˈlɛtɛs ˈwalɪdʊs/

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

The combination of elongated, triangular (exaggerated malar space) and S-shaped 2nd on the distinguishes C. validus from . Colletes inaequalis and C. thoracicus, which overlap in range and , lack the distinctive long face.

Images

Habitat

Open sandy soils with sparse vegetation, often near ericaceous plants. Nests on flat ground or south-facing slopes; avoids closed and dense grass. Requires warm soils.

Distribution

Eastern North America: Mid-Atlantic states north through New Hampshire, west through Michigan, with sparse records to Wisconsin and Ontario. Absent from Maine lowbush blueberry fields despite availability. Records from Georgia and Florida now assigned to C. ultravalidus.

Seasonality

; early spring. Late March in southern range, three to four weeks later further north. Males emerge precociously, 2–3 weeks before season ends for females.

Diet

Pollen on ericaceous plants with urceolate flowers, including Vaccinium spp., Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Gaylussacia baccata. Pollen provisions may contain up to 15% Pinus pollen. visit non-ericaceous plants (Acer rubrum, Prunus spp., Amelanchier spp.) for nectar and supplemental pollen.

Host Associations

Vaccinium spp. - primary pollen blueberry and related
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - pollen bearberry
Gaylussacia baccata - pollen black huckleberry
Pinus spp. - incidental pollen sourceup to 15% of provisions

Life Cycle

hatch into that feed on semi-liquid provisions; larvae pupate into . Development proceeds underground through summer. Some may enter before pupating, though completion of development is unconfirmed. Adults overwinter in completed .

Behavior

Gregarious nester forming (~5 nests/m²). Males nesting aggregations for mates, locating females via ; mating occurs at nest site. Females may use burrow as nest start. Exhibits natal philopatry. If not yet flowering, females wait at nest entrance and nectar on available flowers. construction occurs primarily at night; provisioning follows next morning.

Colletes inaequalisOverlaps in range and ; lacks elongated , visits flowering trees more exclusively
Colletes thoracicusOverlaps in range and ; lacks elongated
Colletes ultravalidusRecently described ; previously confused with C. validus in Georgia and Florida records

Misconceptions

The 'blueberry cellophane ' suggests exclusive association with Vaccinium, but the bee forages broadly across ericaceous plants and is not limited to blueberry.