Hesperocolletes douglasi is superficially like a number of other native bees and careful examination under a microscope would be required to distinguish a specimen. The bee is about the same size as a honeybee (body length approximately 12 mm), generally black and brown and moderately hairy” (Houston 2014).
It is a moderate-sized, non-metallic species similar in appearance to bees from the genera Trichocolletes, Paracolletes and Leioproctus (Michener 2007). Measurements from holotype male: length 12 mm, forewing length probably nearly 8 mm (wing margins entirely worn off so that length cannot be accurately determined); unusually broad head that measures: width 8.3 mm, length 6.5 mm (Michener 1965).
Douglas' Broad-headed Bee |
Hesperocolletes douglasi
Status: Critically Endangered on the EPBC Act list
Government evidence of impact of climate change:
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Australian Government, Conservation Advice, Hesperocolletes douglasi
Climatic conditions may alter the bee flight times during a day.
The following are threats to the Banksia woodland TEC that will result in modification of the availability of food plants climate change (increasing temperatures; declining rainfall; rainfall timing) groundwater drawdown altered Threatened species nomination form fire regimes plant pathogens (dieback) invasive flora and fauna and other disturbances to patches.
Presumed extinct Rottnest Island Crown 9 12 November 0 No details of the Past Land degradation; fire; and NA Reserve 1938 circumstances of herbivore grazing. (Class A) capture (i.e. flowers (1 male collected) Dramatic changes to the island vegetation visited; vegetation has occurred since European settlement type) or exact location caused by human activities; frequent fire on the island were and overgrazing by quokkas and that recorded (Houston probably eliminated the bee s food plants 2014) (Burbidge 2004).
Dramatic changes to the island vegetation has occurred since European settlement caused by human activities; frequent fire and overgrazing by quokkas and the probably eliminated the bee s food plants (Burbidge 2004).
Dramatic changes to the island vegetation has occurred since European settlement caused by human activities; frequent fire and overgrazing by quokkas and the probably eliminated the bee s food plants (Burbidge 2004).
Habitat degradation Unknown Unknown The species is presumed extinct on Past; present; future Rottnest Island due to dramatic changes to Degradation of the vegetation habitat supporting the the island vegetation that has occurred species may result in loss of food plants or reduced food since European settlement caused by output for the bees. human activities; frequent fire and overgrazing by quokkas and that probably eliminated the bee s food plants (Burbidge 2004).
Fire Unknown Unknown Knowledge of fire impacts on similar Past; present; future species and the habitat.
Threatened species nomination form Plan prescribed burning to minimise impact to the bees life cycle and control wildfire to minimise impact on the habitat.