This is one of the larger Colletes bees in Ireland and the only one that tends to be found inland as well as near the coast. It has a strong affinity for areas of bog and heath with abundant heather. Identification of females requires getting a good look at the abdomen; which has a light brown translucent band along the rear margin of the first tergite. More generally speaking,  its larger size and preference for heather can be a useful indicator. Males resemble other Colletes closely, but the larger body size, later flight period and habitat preferences are helpful clues.

Distribution in Ireland: Widespread across the island, but local.

Flight Period: Late July- mid September.

Habitat: Primarily found in areas of heath and bog, which include upland bogs, open heathy woods and lowland coastal heath. They key prerequisite is an abundance of flowering Ling.

Flowers Visited: Heather species. In my experience it strongly favours Ling, but Bell Heather and possibly Cross-leaved Heath are also used.

Personal Records: I have observed this species at Murlough NNR and Bloody Bridge, Co. Down where it appears to be common and can be seen in good numbers on sunny days among the dense stands of Ling. I have also observed it at the abandoned Miner’s Village in Glendalough, Co. Wicklow where a large mound comprised of a gravelly substrate was home to an enormous nesting aggregation of at least several hundred individual nesting holes. I have also seen it on Furnish Island, Co. Galway and at Rosbeg and Horn Head, Co. Donegal. Both sexes visit heathers in similar settings and nesting usually occurs in loose or light soils (such as gravelly substrates or dry peat), often with a southerly aspect in dense aggregations. It is one of the hosts of the parasitic fly Miltogramma punctata.