Birkmann's Cellophane Bee
Colletes birkmanni
This record describes Colletes birkmanni (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
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
sc US - Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
March - May; In Texas a second generation flies in November.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colletes birkmanni Swenk, 1906
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes birkmanni. 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 Birkmann's Cellophane Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Birkmann's Cellophane Bee
How big is Birkmann's Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Male | Length 9 mm; wing length 7.5 mm. |
| Female | Length 11 mm; wing length 8 mm. |
Where is Birkmann's Cellophane Bee found?
Range: sc US - Discover Life Map
When is Birkmann's Cellophane Bee active?
Birkmann's Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - March - May; In Texas a second generation flies in November..