Colletes

The genus Colletes (plasterer bees) is a large group of ground-nesting bees of the family Colletidae. They occur primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. They tend to be solitary, but sometimes nest close together in aggregations. Species in the genus build cells in underground nests that are lined with a cellophane-like plastic secretion, a true polyester,[2] earning them the nickname polyester bees.[3]

Colletes
Colletes hederae
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Colletidae
Subfamily:	Colletinae
Genus:	Colletes Latreille, 1802 [1]
Species
over 450

Colletes cuniculariusin nest entrance

Colletes phaceliae

Colletes compactus

Colletes speculiferus

Colletes thysanellae

As of 2012 there were about 469 described species, and an estimated total around 700.[4] They occur throughout the world except in Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar, and Southeast Asia.[4] There are about 60 species in Europe[4] and about 100 in North America north of Mexico.[5]