Of the 5 Colletes species recorded in Ireland, this is possibly the rarest. It has only ever been known from a handful of sites and prior to my sighting in August 2020, it had not been seen on the island for 40 years. The females can be distinguished by the relatively shiny 1st tergite, lack of black hairs on the thorax and  broad greyish-buff abdominal bands. Oddly, it is probably the commonest Colletes species in England and its restricted range in Ireland is somewhat puzzling. It possibly exists in similar habitats elsewhere in Co. Down or Co. Louth, but more surveying is required to determine this.

Distribution in Ireland: Rare and very restricted. It is currently known from Killard Point in Co. Down and around Gyles’ Quay in Co. Louth. There are also historical records from Co. Wexford.

Flight Period: June-early September.

Habitat:The current occupied habitat is an area of soft-rock coastal cliff. In Britain it seems to favour flowery open areas over clay soils, such as brownfield land. Gardens and parks may also be frequented.

Flowers visited: Mostly composites (Asteraceae) such as Ragwort, Tansy, Ox-eye Daisy, Mayweeds, Yarrow etc.

Personal Records: I have found it at Ballyhornan, Co. Down, where it flies in good numbers and forages on Sea Mayweed. Nesting occurs here in the soft rock cliffs above the shoreline in aggregations. I have also observed it at Gyles’ Quay in Co. Louth, where the habitat is similar to Ballyhornan/Killard Point in Co. Down.