Hairy-legged Mining Bee vs Unequal Cellophane Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy-legged Mining Bee | Unequal Cellophane Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Melitta tricincta | Colletes inaequalis |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Melittidae | Colletidae |
| Size | 9-11 mm | 10-13 mm |
| Habitat | Farmland | Deserts & Drylands |
| Diet | Pollen Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe | North America |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Least Concern |
Hairy-legged Mining Bee
A rare and declining bee that is a strict specialist on red bartsia flowers. It has distinctive hairy hind legs used for carrying the wet, sticky pollen of its host plant.
Did You Know?
Its complete dependence on a single semi-parasitic plant species makes it one of the most ecologically specialized bees in Europe.
Unequal Cellophane Bee
An early spring bee that forms large nesting aggregations in sandy soil. It lines its cells with a waterproof secretion resembling cellophane.
Did You Know?
Nesting aggregations can alarm homeowners as thousands of bees emerge from lawns, but they are docile and rarely sting.