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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) > Plasterer bees (Colletes sp.)
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10-MAY-2013 Christine Hanrahan

Plasterer bees (Colletes sp.)

This series shows a plasterer bee emerging from her burrow. These are solitary bees, meaning they each have their own nest site, unlike honey bees who all live together in great numbers in one large nest (such as a hive). However, plasterer bees form large aggregations and you can find hundreds of distinctive mounds with their entrance holes, close together on a site.

They are called plasterer bees because they use a type of polyester-like material to plaster the inside of their cells. This protects the developing egg from moisture. They are also unusual in that the females don't carry the pollen they collect on their bodies, but swallow it instead. They later regurgitate it along with nectar, in their nest cells and lay their eggs on top of this rather soupy mix, according to Stephen Marshall.


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Karen Stuebing11-May-2013 21:44
Fascinating lesson and wonderful photos to accompany it. V.
Carol Rollins11-May-2013 21:40
Super series! Thanks for sharing the images and the info.
bill friedlander11-May-2013 19:32
Great series showing the progress of the bee's exit from the nest! Careful and meticulous work! V
Carl Carbone11-May-2013 18:03
Amazing insect and shots!
pascal11-May-2013 17:30
Fantastic ! Excellent work, one more time.
Photo.Keely11-May-2013 16:27
Interesting image! Well done! V.
Patrick Goossens11-May-2013 15:49
Great collage and narration.
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