Cellophane Bee (Colletes sp.)
The genus Colletes is a large group of ground-nesting bees with more than 450 species worldwide. Although they tend to be solitary nesters, they will often nest in close aggregations. Female cellophane bees create nest cells in underground burrows in sandy soil, which they line with a cellophane-like, waterproof secretion from their abdominal glands, giving rise to the various common names of this group; they are referred to as cellophane, polyester or plasterer bees. This past Saturday afternoon, I came…