Cape Honey Bee vs Cellophane Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Cape Honey Bee | Cellophane Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Apis mellifera capensis | Colletes thoracicus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Apidae | Colletidae |
| Size | Workers 11-13 mm | 10-12 mm |
| Habitat | Beaches & Coastal | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | South Africa (Western Cape, Eastern Cape) | Eastern North America |
| Conservation | Least Concern | Least Concern |
Cape Honey Bee
A unique honey bee subspecies where workers can lay diploid female eggs without mating. It is restricted to the winter rainfall region of South Africa.
Did You Know?
Worker bees of this subspecies can clone themselves through a rare reproductive process called thelytokous parthenogenesis.
Cellophane Bee
A spring-flying plasterer bee native to eastern North America with dense reddish-brown thoracic hair. It lines its brood cells with a secreted polyester-like film.
Did You Know?
The transparent polyester lining it secretes is waterproof, fungus-resistant, and chemically similar to commercial plastic wrap.