Images

Hmmmm, this is indeed and obviously a beetle, but what we have here is a failure to communicate. Our master list does not include this species and "crackalure" is not anything I am aware of ... nor is there the usual information on time and date of the stacking. But it is pretty. So up it goes and maybe it will be discovered later what species it is.

One of what seem like one billion different kinds of small shiny slightly metallic Lasioglossum species. This one characterized by very sparse pitting on the top of the thorax and bit more glintyness on the abdomen (yep, not great characters).

A bee of the coastal dunes. Restricted almost entirely to dune systems or more precisely, deep sandy areas next to salt water, this is one of the few bees that seem to have a strong habitat component (rather than plant component) to their distribution. Too bad about that sea level rise thing for them, I suppose.

Now, this is an interesting bee. Obviously it has occurred in Michigan, and indeed until quite recently that was the only place it was known from and in fact, was known only from one single specimen. However, it was so unique that was described by Ted Mitchell over 50 years ago as a new species.

Now, this is an interesting bee. Obviously it has occurred in Michigan, and indeed until quite recently that was the only place it was known from and in fact, was known only from one single specimen. However, it was so unique that was described by Ted Mitchell over 50 years ago as a new species.

Wetland Bee. There are many bees in wetlands. Why? Because so many wetland plants have flowers that are designed to lure bees. Why, for example, are water lilies so large and colorful? So they look good in our pretend ponds? Nope. To attract bees out into the pond for a little pollination fun? Yup.

Wetland Bee. There are many bees in wetlands. Why? Because so many wetland plants have flowers that are designed to lure bees. Why, for example, are water lilies so large and colorful? So they look good in our pretend ponds? Nope. To attract bees out into the pond for a little pollination fun? Yup.

Cuba, GTMO, Guantanamo Bay

Sleeping Bear Dunes .... The National Lakeshore. Has Dunes. Has very cool and rare dune bees. Here though is Lasioglossum nymphaeurum which occurs all over the East, and is notable in my mind for the rugged propodeal triangle...as you already know, dear friend. Photography by Sierra Williams and Shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Sleeping Bear Dunes .... The National Lakeshore. Has Dunes. Has very cool and rare dune bees. Here though is Lasioglossum nymphaeurum which occurs all over the East, and is notable in my mind for the rugged propodeal triangle...as you already know, dear friend. Photography by Sierra Williams and Shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

A small bee, a small sweat bee, a small difficult to identify sweat bee, Lasioglossum oblongum, collected in Wisconsin and photographed by Brooke Alexander. Characteristically, with very few hairs on its abdomen.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

A dune specialist. You won't find this species anywhere except in the dunes immediately along the ocean. As such it is a poster child for vulnerability to coastal sea level change and global climate change.

Of the many types of shiny little sweat bees, this is a large one, not that anyone would notice. Named after the Gotham of Gotham City this species occurs sparingly often in woodlands in the East. I particularly like the layout of this shot, the two pairs of wings are nicely symmetrical and the eye glints in just the way you want an eye to glint.

From Bryce Canyon National Park, comes one of the many many Lasioglossum that inhabit the continent. Often generalist pollination workhorses, they keep Bryce Canyon going without a lot of fanfare.

A common and rather plain sweat bee. Lasioglossum hitchensi. Decorated with pumpkin pollen...some of the largest pollen grains in the world. Collected by Laura Russo in Pennsylvania. Photo by Greta Forbes.

Lasioglossum incompletum. Last in the series from the badlands.

A common little bee of the Badlands. Lasioglossum incompletum is at the eastern edge of its range here at the Badlands. No one really realizes that the world is dominated by small bees. So much for bumble bees. Picture by Anders Croft.

Male Lasioglossum can be tricky. Here is one of the dark ones from the highly bee productive Fossil Butte National Monument.

A pretty little Lasioglossum from the Dialictus group. This bee was collected in the San Juan Island national historic Park in Washington state. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. 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.