Colletes
Encyclopedia
The genus Colletes is a very large group of ground-nesting bees within the bee
family Colletidae
, with over 450 species worldwide, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere
. These bees tend to be solitary, though sometimes nest close together in so-called aggregations. Species in the genus build cells in underground nests that are lined with a polyester
secretion, earning them the nickname polyester bees.
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
family Colletidae
Colletidae
Colletidae is a family of bees, and are often referred to collectively as plasterer bees or polyester bees, due to the method of smoothing the walls of their nest cells with secretions applied with their mouthparts; these secretions dry into a cellophane-like lining...
, with over 450 species worldwide, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere
Northern Hemisphere
The Northern Hemisphere is the half of a planet that is north of its equator—the word hemisphere literally means “half sphere”. It is also that half of the celestial sphere north of the celestial equator...
. These bees tend to be solitary, though sometimes nest close together in so-called aggregations. Species in the genus build cells in underground nests that are lined with a polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
secretion, earning them the nickname polyester bees.