Images

A common spring bumble bee, Bombus bimaculatus, one of the species of bumble bees that have not seemed to have declined since the introduction of Nosema bombi a parasite from Europe. This one was collected by Laura Russo near State College Pennsyvania.

Bombus bimaculatus, female, Queen Anne's County, Maryland

Some bumble bees are parasites. A common theme in the bee world...to the tune of about 20% of all the species. Why go to all that work gathering pollen when you can just lay your egg in someone else's nest. Then in an evolutionary spy vs.

A lovely slightly florescent orange bumble bee from Taiwan. So many combinations of color and form in each genus of bee! Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

From the U.S. National Arboretum comes the now relatively uncommon Bombus fervidus. A species in delcine, but still present and how nice to have this one present right in Washington D.C. Pictures by Ashleigh Jacobs.

From the U.S. National Arboretum comes the now relatively uncommon Bombus fervidus. A species in delcine, but still present and how nice to have this one present right in Washington D.C. Pictures by Ashleigh Jacobs.

From the U.S. National Arboretum comes the now relatively uncommon Bombus fervidus. A species in delcine, but still present and how nice to have this one present right in Washington D.C. Pictures by Ashleigh Jacobs.

Agrotis ipsilon - Black Cutworm - Another major crop pest. This species moves into northern parts of North America after overwintering in Texas and Mexico and then pulls off a couple of generations in weedy fields and particularly impacting newly planted corn. Yet another pest that looks rather beautiful when viewed up close.

A very large Chrysidid Wasp from Kruger National Park, species unknown, Anders Croft photographer.

The Endangered Bumble Bee. Bombus affinis. The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee. Here is a a male from Racine Wisconsin collected years ago when this species was one of the most common species. The collector was W.L. Macior and his specimens live in the National Collection at the Smithsonian.

Bombus ashtoni! This is news. This species of bumble bee is nest parasite. They take over the nests of other bumble bees and use the host's workers to produce their progeny. This one is special because its known hosts are B. affinis (the endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee) and B.

Chilimalopsis parvula - according to Laurence Packer (world's expert on the bees of Chile) this is a range extension of this species, mapped specimens seem to indicate that it mostly have been captured well to the north of Santiago and we spent all our time to the South on the expedition. Anders Croft took the pictures.

Manuelia postica - One of the common Chilean species of bees, this one was collected somewhere in southern Chile while on expedition last fall with Laurence Packer. Photograph taken by Anders Croft.

Pseudagapostemon citricornis - More Chilean bees from Laurence Packer's expedition to southern Chile. Photographs by Kelly Graninger.

Epiclopis gayi - a cleptoparasitic bee (a.k.a nest parasite or cuckoo bee) of almost certainly Centris bees. Perhaps even of the Centris bee that was posted just prior to this as this bee was also collected in southern Chile on the expedition with Laurence Packer. Photos by Kelly Graniger and Anders Croft.

A lovely blue green teal spider wasp with purple highlights and infuscated wings. Collected in Southern Chile with Laurence Packer.

A little Chilicola species found on the expedition to southern Chile with Laurence Packer. A wee stem nesting bee. Photograph by Anders Croft.

Floral Design Alert. Spotted wintergreen flowers found to be aesthetically pleasing, though quite small. Check out out the units of 5 here. Five petals, 10 pantalooned stamens. Geometrically arrayed in complimentary colors ....something that clearly was created as a message of form to us in ways that make's the Da Vinci Code seem the work of novices.

An unknown bees from Anhui, Province, China. Collected by in May Michael Fizdale. Looks to me like it might be a Amegilla Anthophora. Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200.

A beautiful pale white and green horse fly from North Carolina, Chlorotabanus crepuscular, a drinker of blood that comes out only at dawn and dusk, this is a southern species I had not seen before. This specimen was collected in Duck, North Carolina by Lisa Kuder. Picture taken by Ashleigh Jacobs.

A beautiful pale white and green horse fly from North Carolina, Chlorotabanus crepuscular, a drinker of blood that comes out only at dawn and dusk, this is a southern species I had not seen before. This specimen was collected in Duck, North Carolina by Lisa Kuder. Picture taken by Ashleigh Jacobs.