Sandhills Cellophane Bee
Colletes ultravalidus
This record describes Colletes ultravalidus (species). Recorded family: Colletidae. Recorded order: Hymenoptera.
Identification and Appearance
Has the longest malar space of any North American Colletes, exceeding that of its sister species Colletes validus. Overall it resembles C. validus, but its thoracic hair is more orange (closer to thoracicus) and it lacks conspicuous tergal hair bands. Images of this bee were posted to Bugguide prior to its description and these facilitated collaborative research on the new species.
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
Habitat
Nests at sandy sites
Geographic Range
Northern Florida, and one record from southern Georgia and South Carolina
Seasonal Activity
Late winter to early spring
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Host plant not fully confirmed but believed to be Pieris (and/or other Ericaceae)
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The name refers to its resemblance to validus, which it exceeds in length of malar space. Authors: Hall and Ascher, 2016
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Hymenoptera, the group containing Colletes ultravalidus. 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 Sandhills Cellophane Bee (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John S. Ascher; Additional contributions by Beatriz Moisset , Phillip Harpootlian , Nathaniel Green
Frequently Asked Questions About Sandhills Cellophane Bee
What is Sandhills Cellophane Bee?
Sandhills Cellophane Bee (Colletes ultravalidus) is a species in the family Colletidae, within the order Hymenoptera.
How big is Sandhills Cellophane Bee?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Female | 14.27±0.98 mm. |
| Male | 12.62±0.36 |
How do you identify Sandhills Cellophane Bee?
Has the longest malar space of any North American Colletes, exceeding that of its sister species Colletes validus. Overall it resembles C. validus, but its thoracic hair is more orange (closer to thoracicus) and it lacks conspicuous tergal hair bands.
Where is Sandhills Cellophane Bee found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | Nests at sandy sites |
| Range | Northern Florida, and one record from southern Georgia and South Carolina |
What does Sandhills Cellophane Bee eat?
The diet of the Sandhills Cellophane Bee includes Host plant not fully confirmed but believed to be Pieris (and/or other Ericaceae).
When is Sandhills Cellophane Bee active?
Sandhills Cellophane Bee: seasonal activity - Late winter to early spring.