Images

Stelis labiata "“ A female of a very rare species found, in this case in the sandhills of North Carolina, collected by Heather Campbell

Stelis labiata "“ A female of a very rare species found, in this case in the sandhills of North Carolina, collected by Heather Campbell

A new Washington DC record, Triepeolus cressonii, captured in the Kenilworth aquatic Gardens along the Anacostia River. A very urban landscape, but one that still retains quite a bit of original nature thanks to the work of the National Park Service maintains the property as well as adjacent areas along this quiet backwater.

Yo, Triepeolus people you are darn sharp looking bees. Here is T. donatus. Collected near State College in Pennsylvania by Laura Russo. Its host is going to be a Melissodes, in this case M.

Oh look, another Triepeolus. In this case it is T. helianthi from West Virginia from Kanawha County. Most likely this was collected by the fabulous Jane Whitaker, who covered most of the state in her collecting adventures. A fabulous contribution in an unexplored beescape. Photo by Sara Guerrieri.

Oh look, another Triepeolus. In this case it is T. helianthi from West Virginia from Kanawha County. Most likely this was collected by the fabulous Jane Whitaker, who covered most of the state in her collecting adventures. A fabulous contribution in an unexplored beescape. Photo by Sara Guerrieri.

Another beautiful Stinkbug from South America...this time, Argentina. Insect taken from the Natural History collection of the Smithsonian. 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.

Another set of pictures of a different specimen of Svastra duplocincta. Below is a repeat of the previous verbage for the species.While most people would not necessarily think about this very much (beer, for example, is thought about a lot more), many bees are specialists on Cacti.

Another set of pictures of a different specimen of Svastra duplocincta. Below is a repeat of the previous verbage for the species.While most people would not necessarily think about this very much (beer, for example, is thought about a lot more), many bees are specialists on Cacti.

Found on Eastern Neck Island National Wildlife Refuge in their lovely lovely native plant garden and fields. This large Eucerine bee is a good indicator of high quality habitat. May we see them in more than places with this bee.

Lovely elegance of Svastra obliqua, from Easter neck national wildlife refuge on the eastern shore of Maryland in Kent County. A species of late-summer composites, it is particularly fond of the sunflower and daisy groups.

Collected a few days ago, I think this is Sympetrum vicinum, the autumn meadowhawk, but just am not sure. Beltsville, Maryland.Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Photographer: Sam Droege, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Sawfly, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Guantanamo Bay, Cuba

Xylocopa inconstans, one of several species of Carpenter Bees that come from Kruger National Park. This white patch makes it relatively distinct. Part of expeditions led by Jonathan Mawdsley and James Harrison. Photo by Erick Hernandez.

Kruger National Park presents a native South African: Xylocopa lugubris. This carpenter bee was caught cruising around the park while along on Jonathan Mawdsley and James Harrison's expedition. Lots of fun avoiding poisonous snakes, lions, and leopards and other big things. Photo by Erick Hernandez.

Kruger National Park presents a native South African: Xylocopa lugubris. This carpenter bee was caught cruising around the park while along on Jonathan Mawdsley and James Harrison's expedition. Lots of fun avoiding poisonous snakes, lions, and leopards and other big things. Photo by Erick Hernandez.

Kruger National Park presents a native South African: Xylocopa lugubris. This carpenter bee was caught cruising around the park while along on Jonathan Mawdsley and James Harrison's expedition. Lots of fun avoiding poisonous snakes, lions, and leopards and other big things. Photo by Erick Hernandez.

Here is a lovely carpenter bee from the southeastern part of the U.S., a bit smaller than X. viginica and as far as I know nests in twigs rather and does no damage to timbers (not that X. virginica does much in the way of real structural damage).

The Virginia Carpenter bee. The bane of those who build with Cedar Siding, have redwood picnic tables, or who have barns made with softwoods. Other than the recently invaded Lithurgus chrysurus (we certainly will hear more about this wood eater in coming years), this is our only bee int he East that regularly makes holes in wooden structures.

Vespid wasp from Kruger National Park in South Africa. This is one that we see periodically taking nips of nectar from some of the trees we study. No time to look up the species group, but likely it a social species of some kind. Large too, about the size of a bumblebee in length..,Photo by Erick Hernandez.