Colletid bee vs Masked bee

Hylaeus pictipes compared with Hylaeus variegatus

Key Differences

• Colletid bee is Extinct while Masked bee is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Colletid bee	Masked bee
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Arthropoda (arthropodes)	Arthropoda (arthropodes)
Class same	Insecta (insecte)	Insecta (insecte)
Order same	Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees & Wasps)	Hymenoptera (Ants, Bees & Wasps)
Family same	Colletidae	Colletidae
Genus same	Hylaeus	Hylaeus
Species	Hylaeus pictipes	Hylaeus variegatus

Evolutionary Relationship

Colletid bee and Masked bee share a common ancestor at the Genus level: Hylaeus.

Conservation Status

Colletid bee

EX — Extinct

Masked bee

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Colletid bee	Masked bee
Diet	—	—
Average Lifespan	—	—
Average Length	—	—
Average Weight	—	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Colletid bee

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Masked bee

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Sweden, and United States.

Colletid bee

<em>Hylaeus pictipes</em>, commonly known as the Colletid bee, is a species belonging to the genus <em>Hylaeus</em> within the family Colletidae, one of the most ancient lineages of bees. This species is classified as Extinct, signifying that no living individuals are known to survive. Historical records indicate its former presence across several European countries, including Belgium, Denmark, Luxembourg, Norway, and Sweden. The species is noted to have been capable of occupying virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats, suggesting considerable ecological flexibility during its existence. Colletid bees in this genus are typically solitary, with females provisioning individual nest cells with a mixture of pollen and nectar rather than collectively forming colonies. Specific dietary information for <em>Hylaeus pictipes</em> beyond general nectivory and pollen collection has not been recorded. Biological traits of this species remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. The loss of this species reflects broader declines in native bee diversity across Europe, driven by habitat loss, agricultural intensification, and other anthropogenic pressures.

Shared Countries

Both species can be found in 5 countries:

🇧🇪 Belgium 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇺🇸 United States