Images

From Fossil Butte National Monument Wyoming...yet another Lasioglossum. Photo by Dejen Mengis.

From Fossil Butte National Monument Wyoming...yet another Lasioglossum. Photo by Dejen Mengis.

Lasioglossum versatum. One of the most common little sweat bees in the East. Particularly common in the cooler mid-latitudes. These bees can dominate the captures in surveys of bee species of a region. Something of a mess taxonomically.

One of the common Dialictus group Lasioglossum species, often involved in confusion among several similar species. This one collected by Tim McMahon in Cecil County Maryland

One of the common Dialictus group Lasioglossum species, often involved in confusion among several similar species. This one collected by Tim McMahon in Cecil County Maryland

Often the most common Lasioglossum at a location in the East. This is Lasioglossum versatum. While common it has the sad trait of sometimes looking like L. trigeminum or L. callidum or L. adimirandum. In isolation they all seem so separable, but since they often occur at the same site and have a tendency to look slightly similar it can be a nightmare.

A little golden bee, this is an easy to identify Lasioglossum vierecki...and most Lasioglossum species are not easy to identify. Gold butt and golden hair boom you know the species. Often found in sandy areas...this one from Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in Michigan. Photo by Heagan Ahmed.

Lasioglossum zonulum "“ A male of this large, single weakened vein, northern species, one often confused with the very similar Lasioglossum leucozonium. Captured in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania and photographed by Brooke Alexander

A series of pictures from Silas Bossert from the National Collection at the Smithsonian. They use their own hi res camera equipment, but prefer a light background. Check the tongue on this bad girl. Lipotriches kondeana. A bee from South Africa, Kruger National Park. Collected on expedition with James Harrison and Jonathan Mawdsley

A Light exists in SpringNot present on the YearAt any other period --When March is scarcely hereA Color stands abroadOn Solitary FieldsThat Science cannot overtakeBut Human Nature feels.It waits upon the Lawn,It shows the furthest TreeUpon the furthest Slope you knowIt almost speaks to you.Then as Horizons stepOr Noons report awayWithout the Formula of soundIt passe

A new record for Hawaii for Maui, this introduced species (only some members of Hylaeus are native) was known from other islands but this appears to be the first record for Maui. Not surprising since it nests in wood and could easily be transported among islands or it is big enough that it could simply fly there.

A new record for Hawaii for Maui, this introduced species (only some members of Hylaeus are native) was known from other islands but this appears to be the first record for Maui. Not surprising since it nests in wood and could easily be transported among islands or it is big enough that it could simply fly there.

Great Blue Lobelia. A tall plant mid summer plant that is a nice addition to the relatively sparse bloom at that time of year for bees. So, you should plant some. Pictures and specimens taken by Helen Lowe Metzman.

A cactus specialist, if you look closely you can see the spiny little cactus pollen balls all over this male, if you look even more closely at the shot of the face you will see a a lawn croquet hoop formation formed by the mandibles in the center of the face...used to grasp the female at her waist during mating.

null

One of two species of native peyote cacti. Native to the Southwest and under threat in the wild from over collection. Photography by Helen Lowe Metzman.

The Giant Stag beetle ....Lucanus elephus....a huge beetle of eastern forests. This specimen can from California, Maryland and was collected by members of Bartlett Tree Company.

The Giant Stag beetle ....Lucanus elephus....a huge beetle of eastern forests. This specimen can from California, Maryland and was collected by members of Bartlett Tree Company.

Virginia, Page County

Bryce Canyon in Utah is not just magnificent canyons and spectacular scenery, it also has lots of very small bees such as this one, Lasioglossum pacatum.

From the Badlands of South Dakota...Lasioglossum paraforbesii. One of the large northern Lasioglossum species. This one found lurking about some of the prairie habitats in the National Park on our expedition there. Upon close inspection you can see that this bee has one rather than two weakened cross veins in the submarginal cells...but you knew that.