Also called: cellophane bee or polyester bee (Show more) plasterer bee, (family Colletidae), large family of bees with more than 2,500 species found worldwide. Their common name, which is often used to refer to the bees of the genus Colletes, is derived from the protective, cellophane-like material that females secrete and plaster to the walls of their brood cells—a behavior unique to the family. Plasterer bees are cosmopolitan in distribution, with centers of diversity in Australia and the Americas. Like most bees, plasterer bees are solitary and do not produce honey. Plasterer bees are extremely docile by nature, and, although the females are capable of stinging, they rarely do ...(100 of 733 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!