Hairy-saddled Colletes vs Long-legged Oil Bee
Side-by-side species comparison
| Attribute | Hairy-saddled Colletes | Long-legged Oil Bee |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Colletes succinctus | Rediviva longimanus |
| Order | Hymenoptera | Hymenoptera |
| Family | Colletidae | Melittidae |
| Size | 10-13 mm | 12-15 mm |
| Habitat | Heathland | Heathland |
| Diet | Nectar Feeders | Nectar Feeders |
| Regions | Europe, Western Asia | South Africa |
| Conservation | Near Threatened | Data Deficient |
Hairy-saddled Colletes
A late-summer plasterer bee that is a specialist on heather, secreting a cellophane-like lining in its underground nest cells. It is an important heathland indicator species.
Did You Know?
The cellophane-like substance it secretes to waterproof its nest cells is a unique biopolymer not found in any other group of animals.
Long-legged Oil Bee
An extraordinary South African bee whose front legs are nearly twice its body length, the longest of any bee relative to body size. It uses these to collect oils from long-spurred flowers.
Did You Know?
The coevolution between its leg length and Diascia spur length is one of the most famous examples of a pollination arms race.