Unequal Cellophane Bee
Colletes inaequalis
This record describes Colletes inaequalis (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Wikipedia reference for Colletes inaequalis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colletes_inaequalis.
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
Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south to Georgia, Texas, Idaho, Washington. Discover Life Map .
Seasonal Activity
March to July, with occasional records in the fall (August and September).
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images.
Life History
Information on life cycle and nesting can be found in Batra
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colletes inaequalis Say, 1837
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes inaequalis. 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 Unequal Cellophane Bee (2)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Matthias Buck , John S. Ascher , hg , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Unequal Cellophane Bee
How big is Unequal Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 12-13mm |
| Male | Length 9-10mm |
Where is Unequal Cellophane Bee found?
Range: Nova Scotia to Saskatchewan, south to Georgia, Texas, Idaho, Washington. Discover Life Map .
What does Unequal Cellophane Bee eat?
The diet of the Unequal Cellophane Bee includes Visits flowers from several families. The Hosts section on its Discover Life species page lists known floral associations based on specimen records and images..
When is Unequal Cellophane Bee active?
Unequal Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - March to July, with occasional records in the fall (August and September)..
What is the life cycle of a Unequal Cellophane Bee?
Information on life cycle and nesting can be found in Batra