# Unequal Cellophane Bee (*Colletes inaequalis*) The Unequal Cellophane Bee is a small, fuzzy bee that loves to collect pollen. They are important for helping flowers grow by spreading pollen from one flower to another. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 6 - **Habitat:** Grasslands ![Unequal Cellophane Bee](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Colletes_inaequalis%252C_female%252C_back1_2012-08-10-15.38.49_ZS_PMax_%287918574678%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: USGS Native Bee Inventory and Monitoring Laboratory from Beltsville, USA, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Colletes_inaequalis%252C_female%252C_back1_2012-08-10-15.38.49_ZS_PMax_%287918574678%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Unequal Cellophane Bee is a medium-sized bee, featuring a furry, yellowish-brown thorax and an abdomen banded with black and lighter segments. Its body often has a unique, shiny, translucent cuticle, and its head is distinctively heart-shaped. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Hymenoptera - **Family:** Colletidae - **Genus:** Colletes ## Interesting facts - Even though they are bees, they don't make honey like the famous honeybee! - They are called 'solitary bees' because each female builds her own nest all by herself! - This bee uses its tongue to paint waterproof walls inside its underground home! - Unequal Cellophane Bees are some of the very first bees to wake up in spring! ## Special abilities - **Cellophane Nest Liner:** Unequal Cellophane Bees can secrete a unique, cellophane-like substance that helps them waterproof and protect their underground nests. - **Super Digger:** Unequal Cellophane Bees are powerful and quick diggers, allowing them to rapidly create their intricate, safe burrows in the soil. - **Early Spring Emergence:** Unequal Cellophane Bees can emerge very early in spring, which helps them access nectar and pollen before many other insects. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 15-25 mm - **Size:** 8-14 mm - **Lifespan:** 20-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 18 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding These bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for their babies. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, pollen, maple blossoms, willow catkins, fruit tree flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** [Red Maple](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-maple) (*Acer rubrum*) — Provides early spring nectar and pollen. - **Pollinates:** Pussy Willow (*Salix discolor*) — An important early spring food source. - **Parasitizes:** Two-banded Cuckoo Bee (*Epeolus bifasciatus*) — Lays eggs in the nests of Colletes bees. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Be gentle and quiet around bees; they help flowers grow and usually won't bother you. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Unequal Cellophane Bee? Compare the antennae, wings, waist, body hair and legs. Yellow and black stripes show up on bees, wasps and harmless mimics alike. Bee & Wasp Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Unequal Cellophane Bee's wingspan? 15-25 mm ### How big is Unequal Cellophane Bee? 8-14 mm ### How long does Unequal Cellophane Bee live? 20-40 days ### How fast can Unequal Cellophane Bee fly? 18 km/h ### What does Unequal Cellophane Bee eat? These bees sip nectar for energy and collect pollen for their babies. ### Where is Unequal Cellophane Bee usually found? Grasslands ### How does Unequal Cellophane Bee hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Dayville Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/dayville-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Franklin Falls Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/franklin-falls-historic-district) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Green Brook Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/green-brook-park) — New Jersey, US · Park - [Greenwich Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/greenwich-avenue-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [New Milford Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/new-milford-center-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District - [Strickland Road Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/strickland-road-historic-district) — Connecticut, US · Historic District [View all places to see Unequal Cellophane Bee](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/unequal-cellophane-bee) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Unequal Cellophane Bee: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/unequal-cellophane-bee)