description Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) Overview
Colletes hederae, commonly known as the Ivy Bee, is a species of solitary plasterer bee within the family Colletidae. First described as a distinct species in 1993, it is widely distributed across Europe and nests in large aggregations in sandy or loose soils. The bee's life cycle is tightly synchronized with the blooming period of common ivy in the autumn, making it a specialist forager that relies almost exclusively on ivy nectar and pollen. It is recognized by its distinct orange-brown hairy thorax and conspicuously banded abdomen.
insights Ranking position
Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) ranks #194 of 638 in the Bee ranking, behind Bombus pratorum, ahead of Great Yellow Bumblebee (Bombus distinguendus).
help Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) FAQ
Does the ivy bee eat only ivy pollen?
Females collect pollen predominantly, and often almost exclusively, from flowering ivy in the genus Hedera. Adults may visit other late-season flowers for nectar, so calling the species absolutely exclusive to ivy can be misleading.
When should I look for Colletes hederae?
Ivy bees emerge late in the year to coincide with ivy flowering, usually in late summer and autumn. In Britain, September and October are particularly useful months for checking sunny ivy blossoms.
Are large ivy bee nesting colonies dangerous?
Colletes hederae is solitary even though thousands of females may excavate individual nests close together. The bees are not organized around a defensive queen or communal honey store and are generally reluctant to sting.
When did the ivy bee arrive in Britain?
The species was described scientifically in 1993 and first recorded in Britain near the Dorset coast in 2001. It subsequently spread widely and had reached Scotland and Ireland by the early 2020s.
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