Internal-pollen-transport
Guides
Colletidae
plasterer bees, polyester bees, cellophane bees
Colletidae is a family of solitary bees comprising over 2,000 species across 54 genera and five subfamilies. Members are commonly called plasterer bees or polyester bees due to their distinctive nest cell linings: females apply oral and abdominal secretions that dry into a cellophane-like, waterproof polyester membrane. The family exhibits exceptional diversity in Australia and South America, with over 50% of Australian bee species belonging to this family. Two subfamilies, Euryglossinae and Hylaeinae, uniquely lack external pollen-carrying structures (scopa) and instead transport pollen internally in their crops, feeding larvae with liquid or semiliquid pollen masses. Most species are solitary ground-nesters, though many form dense aggregations, and some exhibit crepuscular activity with enlarged ocelli.
Hylaeus episcopalis
Episcopal Masked Bee
Hylaeus episcopalis is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, first described by Cockerell in 1896. Like other members of its genus, it is a solitary, nearly hairless bee that transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs. The species occurs in North America and is one of approximately 50 Hylaeus species on the continent. Four subspecies have been described: H. e. coquilletti, H. e. episcopalis, H. e. giffardiellus, and H. e. metzi.
Hylaeus floridanus
Florida Masked Bee
Hylaeus floridanus is a species of masked bee (yellow-faced bee) in the family Colletidae. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, transporting pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than externally on body hairs. Females nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs, lining cells with a secreted polymer. The species is native to Florida and the southeastern United States.
Hylaeus modestus
modest masked bee, yellow-faced bee
A small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Females transport pollen and nectar internally in a crop, then regurgitate it into brood cells lined with a secreted polymer. The species has been observed visiting annual flowers in garden settings and is a generalist forager. A gynandromorph specimen with bilaterally asymmetric male and female characteristics was documented from Ontario, Canada.
Hylaeus punctatus
Punctate Masked Bee, Punctate Spatulate-Masked Bee
Hylaeus punctatus is a species of masked bee in the family Colletidae, native to North America. Like other members of its genus, it is nearly hairless and wasp-like in appearance, with distinctive facial markings. This solitary bee nests in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs, lining cells with a glandular secretion. It is a generalist pollinator that transports pollen and nectar internally rather than on body hairs.
Hylaeus verticalis
Vertical Masked Bee
Hylaeus verticalis, commonly known as the Vertical Masked Bee, is a species of solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is native to North America and belongs to the genus Hylaeus, a group of nearly hairless bees often mistaken for wasps due to their appearance. Like other masked bees, females carry pollen and nectar internally in a crop rather than on body hairs, and nest in pre-existing cavities such as hollow stems or twigs.