Northern Colletes
Encyclopedia
The Northern Colletes is a species of bee
within the genus Colletes
. Northern Colletes are solitary bees, though females may nest in what are termed aggregations – sites where the bees nest close together, but do not form colonies
as social bees do. They nest underground in soft (often sandy) soil, digging burrows up to 20 times the length of their bodies. It is often to be found nesting in coastal sand dunes and, on Hebridean
islands, machair (coastal grassland).
, with narrow white bands on each segment. Tawny hairs cover the top of the thorax, with somewhat paler hairs on the face. They are very similar to other species within the Colletes genus and, if more than one of these species shares the same habitat, microscopic exmination can be necessary to distinguish between them. Females are slightly larger than the males, possessing slightly longer abdomens, which are also darker and glossier.
throughout the winter. The larva lives underground, pupa
ting in its burrow and emerging the following June as an adult. As Northern Colletes do not form colonies, there are no worker bee
s.
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This is a rare bee. It can be found in Britain and Ireland, where it nests on the coasts of Ireland
and northern England
, while in Scotland
it can be found on islands as well as coastal areas of the mainland. Elsewhere in Northern Europe, it is present in low densities in Scandinavia
, again in coastal areas. It appears to prefer south-facing slopes with low, sparse vegetation; the bee forages in nearby flower-rich areas. In Southern Europe, however, it inhabits higher altitudes, being found in the Pyrenees
, Carpathians
and Altay Mountains
.
One of the most significant habitats for this species of bee is the machair (coastal duneland) of the Outer Hebrides
in Scotland where it was reported in September, 2007 that eleven previously unknown colonies had been discovered.
Bee
Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila...
within the genus Colletes
Colletes
The genus Colletes is a very large group of ground-nesting bees within the bee family Colletidae, with over 450 species worldwide, primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. These bees tend to be solitary, though sometimes nest close together in so-called aggregations...
. Northern Colletes are solitary bees, though females may nest in what are termed aggregations – sites where the bees nest close together, but do not form colonies
Colony (biology)
In biology, a colony reference to several individual organisms of the same species living closely together, usually for mutual benefit, such as stronger defense or the ability to attack bigger prey. Some insects live only in colonies...
as social bees do. They nest underground in soft (often sandy) soil, digging burrows up to 20 times the length of their bodies. It is often to be found nesting in coastal sand dunes and, on Hebridean
Hebrides
The Hebrides comprise a widespread and diverse archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. There are two main groups: the Inner and Outer Hebrides. These islands have a long history of occupation dating back to the Mesolithic and the culture of the residents has been affected by the successive...
islands, machair (coastal grassland).
Appearance
The bees are medium sized (with a head-to-body length of around 8–15 mm) and slender. They have a black abdomenAbdomen
In vertebrates such as mammals the abdomen constitutes the part of the body between the thorax and pelvis. The region enclosed by the abdomen is termed the abdominal cavity...
, with narrow white bands on each segment. Tawny hairs cover the top of the thorax, with somewhat paler hairs on the face. They are very similar to other species within the Colletes genus and, if more than one of these species shares the same habitat, microscopic exmination can be necessary to distinguish between them. Females are slightly larger than the males, possessing slightly longer abdomens, which are also darker and glossier.
Life cycle
Adult Northern Colletes emerge in late June, and are active until late August. The bees are active only when the temperature is warm. The males emerge one or two days before the females. The females probably mate soon after emergence. The males then die, while the female constructs a burrow which may be as much as 26 cm deep. The female produces a secretion from glands in the mouth, forming a cellophane-like coating for the burrow. Each egg is sealed inside an individual cell, with enough regurgitated nectar and pollen to feed the larvaLarva
A larva is a distinct juvenile form many animals undergo before metamorphosis into adults. Animals with indirect development such as insects, amphibians, or cnidarians typically have a larval phase of their life cycle...
throughout the winter. The larva lives underground, pupa
Pupa
A pupa is the life stage of some insects undergoing transformation. The pupal stage is found only in holometabolous insects, those that undergo a complete metamorphosis, going through four life stages; embryo, larva, pupa and imago...
ting in its burrow and emerging the following June as an adult. As Northern Colletes do not form colonies, there are no worker bee
Worker bee
A Worker bee is any female eusocial bee that lacks the full reproductive capacity of the colony's queen bee; under most circumstances, this is correlated to an increase in certain non-reproductive activities relative to a queen, as well...
s.
Distribution
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
and northern England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, while in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
it can be found on islands as well as coastal areas of the mainland. Elsewhere in Northern Europe, it is present in low densities in Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
, again in coastal areas. It appears to prefer south-facing slopes with low, sparse vegetation; the bee forages in nearby flower-rich areas. In Southern Europe, however, it inhabits higher altitudes, being found in the Pyrenees
Pyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, Carpathians
Carpathian Mountains
The Carpathian Mountains or Carpathians are a range of mountains forming an arc roughly long across Central and Eastern Europe, making them the second-longest mountain range in Europe...
and Altay Mountains
Altay Mountains
The Altai Mountains are a mountain range in East-Central Asia, where Russia, China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan come together, and where the rivers Irtysh and Ob have their sources. The Altai Mountains are known as the original locus of the speakers of Turkic as well as other members of the proposed...
.
One of the most significant habitats for this species of bee is the machair (coastal duneland) of the Outer Hebrides
Outer Hebrides
The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland...
in Scotland where it was reported in September, 2007 that eleven previously unknown colonies had been discovered.