This is a mdeium-sized Colletes species similar in both size and appearance to the more widespread Colletes fodiens. Females possess a rather dense covering of pale buffish thoracic hairs and broad off-white abdominal bands. Males possess somewhat thinner abdominal bands and greyer thoracic hairs. Microscopic analysis is generally needed to separate it from Colletes fodiens.

Distribution: A western Mediterranean species, occuring throughout Spain, Portugal, southern France, the Balearic Islands, Sicilly, the western Italian coast and Morocco.

Flight Period: Univoltine or possibly bivoltine, occuring from April – November.

Habitat: A species of warm, flower-rich habitats including pasture, coastal dunes, woodland edges, maquis, field margins and scrub.

Flowers Visited: Females appear to favour yellow composite flowers (Asteraceae) strongly. Cistus species and various umbellifers (Apiaceae) are also visited by both sexes.

Personal Records: I have recorded this species in several localities in southern Spain. It was not uncommon around Nerja during mid-May, where I observed both sexes feeding on the flowers of Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare). I have also observed males higher in the Sierra de Almijara near Cómpeta visiting flowers of Shrubby Everlasting (Helichrysum stoechas). It also encountered it in the  Sierra de Gádor where I observed females foraging on various yellow composite flowers.