Colletidae
Pronunciation: [Co·LET·i·dee]
Common Name: Plasterer bees; Masked bees; Polyester bees
Description: The colletids are solitary bees that nest in the ground or in hollow cavities. They coat the walls of their nest cells with a mucosal secretion that dries to form a cellophane-like lining. Brood cells are provisioned with balls of pollen and nectar transported by the legs and mouthparts.
Spot ID Key Characters:
- Front wing with two or three submarginal cells
- Jugal lobe in hind wing longer than submedian cell.
- One subantennal suture below each antennal socket
- Proboscis short and bilobed or truncate
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Order: Hymenoptera
