Images

Andrena spiraeana, female, detail of the tergites

Andrena virginiana, male, Maryland, Garrett County, July 2012

Andrena virginiana, male, Maryland, Garrett County, July 2012

Andrena virginiana, famale, Maryland, Garrett County, July 2012

This is picture 3 from a 12 picture invited series by Matt Buffington at the USDA Parastitic Hymentoptera group using specimens from the U.S. Natural History Museum Smithsonian. Matt uses a system very similar to ours to photograph and stack this super tiny wasp.As majestic as the Golden State itself,we present Andricus quercuscalifornicus.

Anemone americana - Round-lobed Hepatica. At times white like this flower, but can grade all the way up to a lovely purpley blue color in other individuals. Photo and individual from Helen Lowe Metzman.

Anemone virginiana - A flower of the hunky Thimbleberry just beginning to open. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Ah, if angels were bees this would be one. However, if you were a Colletes bee you would not think so since the Angel Bee would invade your home, lay an egg, leave and later the Angel Bee baby would kill your baby and eat all your food. So life goes.

Ah, if angels were bees this would be one. However, if you were a Colletes bee you would not think so since the Angel Bee would invade your home, lay an egg, leave and later the Angel Bee baby would kill your baby and eat all your food. So life goes.

Ah, if angels were bees this would be one. However, if you were a Colletes bee you would not think so since the Angel Bee would invade your home, lay an egg, leave and later the Angel Bee baby would kill your baby and eat all your food. So life goes.

There is something about the oily iridescence of these spider wasps that I find particularly attractive, the light has to hit the wings just right, like in this picture, and the subtly brewed stained glass opalescence that come through are impossible to replicate Collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba, photographed by Aaman MengisCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Sta

Collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba, photographed by AamanCanon 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

Unknown species of ant, Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming,

Bling Butterfly - Anteros fomosus - a.k.a.Black-bellied Anteros, or Formosus Jewelmark, collected in Peru. This is the underside and I show a variety of shots at different magnifications to highlight the lovely metalmarks some of the mirror-like scales create. Specimen from the Natural History Museum in Washington D.,C.

Bling Butterfly - Anteros fomosus - a.k.a.Black-bellied Anteros, or Formosus Jewelmark, collected in Peru. This is the underside and I show a variety of shots at different magnifications to highlight the lovely metalmarks some of the mirror-like scales create. Specimen from the Natural History Museum in Washington D.,C.

Found in a Bombus atratus nest in Bogata, Colunbia by Francisco Posada

Here is a series of male and female Anthidiellum ehrhorni. these are small, relatively cute in the scheme of things, bees that dwell in the drylands of Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. They are fast flying and remind me of flying peas for some reason. Though I can't recall any peas that look like A. ehrhorni.

Here is a series of male and female Anthidiellum ehrhorni. these are small, relatively cute in the scheme of things, bees that dwell in the drylands of Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. They are fast flying and remind me of flying peas for some reason. Though I can't recall any peas that look like A. ehrhorni.

Here is a series of male and female Anthidiellum ehrhorni. these are small, relatively cute in the scheme of things, bees that dwell in the drylands of Southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico. They are fast flying and remind me of flying peas for some reason. Though I can't recall any peas that look like A. ehrhorni.

Collected in the deserts of Cochise County in Arizona as part of the famous Bee Course there by Tim McMahon, these speedy little bees are found throughout much of North America.

Collected in the deserts of Cochise County in Arizona as part of the famous Bee Course there by Tim McMahon, these speedy little bees are found throughout much of North America.