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larose forest photos | all galleries >> INSECTS (INSECTA) (28 Galleries) >> Bees, Wasps, Sawflies and Ants (Hymenoptera) (22 Sub-galleries) >> Bees (8 Sub-galleries) >> Plasterer Bees (Family: Colletidae) > Cellophane bees (Colletes sp.)
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20-APR-2016 Christine Hanrahan

Cellophane bees (Colletes sp.)

Reveler Conservation Area

These ones are feeding on sap from a sugar maple in the woods. A native wild bee, they emerge early in the season. The name cellophane bee, or sometimes, plasterer bee, comes from their ability to effectively line their nest chamber with a waterproof substance which they emit from their bodies. They are one of the so-called 'solitary bees', meaning they don't nest communally as honey bees or bumble bees do, but each within their own nest chamber which is excavated in sandy soil. However, they usually nest in large aggregations, so you will see many bees hovering around suitable nest areas, but each with their own little nest chamber. They are effective pollinators of early wild flowers.
To see their nest burrows: http://www.pbase.com/laroseforest/image/150120180

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/250s f/4.0 at 4.5mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Lindsey07-Jan-2017 23:27
Nice shot of these two...enjoyed the info on this type of bee! :) V.
Don25-Apr-2016 02:18
Social but not; an interesting natural history.
Buz Kiefer21-Apr-2016 15:45
Interesting behavior and a fine, detailed photo. Vote.
Walter Otto Koenig21-Apr-2016 15:39
Wonderful photograph of these two. Very cool details. "V"
bill friedlander21-Apr-2016 15:22
Each with a room of its own. Interesting. V
globalgadabout21-Apr-2016 13:20
so they live apart yet comfortably dine together...what a cute pair..
joseantonio21-Apr-2016 13:06
so interesting to know about their name.V
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