Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee
Colletes tectiventris
This record describes Colletes tectiventris (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
A host to the clepotoparasitic bee Epeolus basili . Onuferko, 2018
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
USA: Arizona and California Discover Life Map
Seasonal Activity
August - September
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: Colletes tectiventris Timberlake, 1951 Epithet refers to the pale hairs covering the metasoma.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes tectiventris. 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.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee
What is Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee?
Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee (Colletes tectiventris) is a species in the family Colletidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | Length 9.5mm; Wing 6.25mm |
| Male | Length 7-8mm; Wing 5-5.5mm |
Where is Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee found?
Range: USA: Arizona and California Discover Life Map
When is Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee active?
Hairy-tailed Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - August - September.