Colletes fodiens (Geoffroy,1785)
Description and notes
Bees of the genus Colletes, in common with those of the genus Hylaeus, are readily identified by their short, bifid tongues. They look superficially similar to many of the Andrena bees. Some species specialise on pollen from a specific plant or closely related group of plants (oligolectic). Identification keys and general information are given in Guichard (1974).
Distribution
Widespread in sandy districts in southern and central England and Wales, scarcer towards the north. There is only one record in Scotland. The species is absent from Ireland, but does occur in the Channel Islands (Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey). Widespread in Europe and Asia: Fennoscandia south to Spain, and east to Siberia.
Status (in Britain only)
This species is not regarded as being scarce or threatened.
Habitat
Associated with meadows and edge habitats in sandy districts, including coastal dunes.
Flight period
Univoltine; late July to early September.
Pollen collected
Oligolectic on the pollen of flowers in the family Asteraceae. Especially found at ragwort (Senecio jacobaea).
Nesting biology
Nothing is known about the nesting biology of this species, except that it nests in the ground.
Flowers visited
Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea), tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), fleabane (Pulicaria dysenterica), yarrow (Achillea millefolium), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), mayweed (Matricaria spp.), hawk's beard (Crepis capillaris), bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.), English stonecrop (Sedum anglicum), sea spurge (Euphorbia maritima), bell heather (Erica cinerea), bog pimpernel (Anagallis tenella) and sheep's-bit (Jasione montana).
Parasites
Epeolus variegatus is recorded as a cleptoparasite (R C L Perkins 1920; Richards 1937). Epeolus cruciger may also be cleptoparasitic on this species (Richards 1937).