Colletes inaequalis

{{Short description|Species of bee}}

{{Speciesbox

| name = Colletes inaequalis

| image = Colletes inaequalis, female, back1 2012-08-10-15.38.49 ZS PMax (7918574678).jpg

| image_caption = Back of Colletes inaequalis female

| taxon = Colletes inaequalis

| authority = Say, 1837

}}

Colletes inaequalis is a common species of plasterer bee (family Colletidae), native to North America. Like other species in the genus, it builds cells in underground nests that are lined with a polyester secretion, earning the genus the nickname of polyester bees. C. inaequalis is a pollinator of red maple trees, willow trees, and apple trees.{{cite journal |last1=López-Uribe |first1=Margarita |last2=Morreale |first2=Stephen |last3=Santiago |first3=Christine |last4=Danforth |first4=Bryan |title=Nest Suitability, Fine-Scale Population Structure and Male-Mediated Dispersal of a Solitary Ground Nesting Bee in an Urban Landscape |journal=PLOS ONE |date=May 7, 2015 |volume=10 |issue=5 |pages=e0125719 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0125719 |pmid=25950429 |pmc=4423849 |bibcode=2015PLoSO..1025719L |doi-access=free }}