Colletes marginatus Smith,1846
Synonyms
Colletes balteata NYLANDER 1852; Colletes thomsoni ALFKEN 1899; Colletes sierrensis FREY-GESSNER 1903
Distribution
The accompanying map is considered to be a clear representation of this species' entire distribution in Britain. It is apparently absent from Ireland. C. marginatus is a very local bee, although it is sometimes numerous where found. There is little evidence of any major decline, though in Dorset it was formerly found at Studland but was last recorded from there in 1938 (S P M Roberts, pers. comm.). A 1905 record from Swanage is shown on the map, though this specimen too is likely to have been collected nearby at Studland.
Status (in Britain only)
A Nationally Notable species (Na) (Falk 1991).
Habitat
In Britain this is predominantly a bee of coastal dunes, though it is also quite widespread on grass heaths in the Brecklands of East Anglia. Elsewhere, it may be found on light, sandy soils.
Flight period
Single-brooded; late June to mid-August.
Pollen collected
Polylectic. Müller & Kuhlmann (2008) list as pollen sources: Fabaceae, Apiaceae, Odontites (Orobanchaceae), Brassicaceae, Resedaceae, Caryophyllaceae, Lamiaceae and Campanulaceae based on 50 pollen loads from 33 different localities. On Hayling Island, South Hampshire, females have been observed collecting bramble (Rubus fruticosus agg.) pollen on several occasions (pers. obs.).
Nesting biology
Nests of this bee are constructed in burrows excavated in the soil and are not often encountered. They have been reported as occurring in aggregations, though in Hampshire I have found a single burrow entrance in firm, sparsely vegetated sand. The depth of the burrow and the arrangement of the cells within it are not known.
Flowers visited
Mignonette (Reseda lutea), white clover (Trifolium repens), sea-holly (Eryngium maritimum), parsley water-dropwort (Oenanthe lachenallii), cowbane (Cicuta virosa), fennel (Foeniculum officinale), angelica (Angelica sylvestris), wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), hogweed (Heracleum sphondylium), wild carrot (Daucus carota), sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias), heather (Calluna vulgaris), thrift (Armeria maritima), dodder (Cuscuta epithymum), sheep's-bit (Jasione montana), ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) and creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense). It is not known if these are pollen sources.
Parasites
A small race of Epeolus cruciger is considered to be a cleptoparasite of C. marginatus (Richards 1937).
Year profile last updated
Profile written:
Updated: January 2012