Taxonomy
Colletes (Colletes) hederae
Distribution
Status
Conservation status
Not Assessed
Species Biology
Identification
- A medium to large-sized solitary species (9-14mm)
- Thorax with dense ginger hairs
- Both males and females with broad orange-buff bands on the abdomen (fade with age)
- Males generally smaller than females, with hairier faces
- Could be confused with C. similis or C. succinctus
Habitat
Currently only known from sand dunes at one site. A wide range of habitats are exploited in Britain
Flight period
Early September-early November
Nesting biology
Ground nesting (sandy/clay soils, soft rock cliffs). Often nests in large aggregations
Flowers visited
Polylectic with a very strong preference for Helix hedera.
Distribution
World distribution(GBIF)
Temporal change
Records submitted to Data Centre in 2024
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How can you help
This species was first found in Ireland in 2021 in Co. Wexford. It has spread rapidly in Britain and may do so in Ireland. You can help to track the expansion of this bee by checking Ivy blossom in autumn and submitting your sightings to the National Biodiversity Data Centre.
References
Publications
Flowers Visited: Teppner, H. and Brosch, U., 2015. Pseudo-oligolecty in Colletes hederae (Apidae-Colletinae, Hymenoptera). Linzer Biologische Beiträge, 47, pp.301-306.