Aberrant Cellophane Bee
Colletes aberrans
This record describes Colletes aberrans (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Note scutum with short, subappressed, thickened, and densely plumose (scale-like) hairs. Note also white hairs covering much of metasoma excepting the black bands. in N of range (thoracic) pile of this species becomes almost ochraceous see Stephen, 1954: 338. - JSA ( ref )
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Arthropoda
- Class
- Insecta
- Order
- Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies)
- Superfamily
- Trigonaloidea
- Family
- Colletidae (Cellophane, Plasterer, Masked, and Allied Bees)
- Subfamily
- Diphaglossinae
- Genus
- Colletes (Cellophane bees)
Imported taxonomy record. Source availability varies; see the source references and editorial policy below.
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Canada: SA, ON United States: Arizona to North Dakota east to Michigan back to New Mexico. Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
June to August.
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits Petalostemon . Also recorded on Dalea villosa . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes aberrans. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Hymenoptera includes over 150,000 described species of ants, bees, wasps, and sawflies. Earth harbors approximately 20 quadrillion (20×10^15) ants, with a combined biomass of ~12 megatons of dry carbon - exceeding the combined biomass of all wild birds and mammals (PNAS, 2022).
Ecological role of the group
About 35% of the world's food crops depend on animal pollinators. The chocolate industry, valued at over $100 billion, depends on pollinating flies and midges. Ants are the dominant soil engineers in most terrestrial ecosystems, turning more soil than earthworms in many habitats.
Economic and practical significance of the group
Pollinators contribute $235-577 billion worth of annual global food production (FAO). In the U.S., bee pollination alone benefits crops valued at $18 billion annually, and honey bees are responsible for $5.4 billion in agricultural productivity. Between April 2023-2024, 55.1% of managed honey bee colonies were lost. The U.S. bee population dropped from 5 million to 2.5 million.
Recorded sources for this group: FAO, USDA, EPA, PNAS (2022), US Fish & Wildlife Service. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Aberrant Cellophane Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Aberrant Cellophane Bee
What is Aberrant Cellophane Bee?
Aberrant Cellophane Bee (Colletes aberrans) is a species in the family Colletidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Aberrant Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 10-11 mm |
| Male | Length 8-9 mm |
How do you identify Aberrant Cellophane Bee?
Note scutum with short, subappressed, thickened, and densely plumose (scale-like) hairs. Note also white hairs covering much of metasoma excepting the black bands. in N of range (thoracic) pile of this species becomes almost ochraceous see Stephen, 1954: 338. - JSA ( ref )
Where is Aberrant Cellophane Bee found?
Range: Canada: SA, ON United States: Arizona to North Dakota east to Michigan back to New Mexico. Discover Life Map
What does Aberrant Cellophane Bee eat?
The diet of the Aberrant Cellophane Bee includes Visits Petalostemon . Also recorded on Dalea villosa . The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Aberrant Cellophane Bee active?
Aberrant Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - June to August..