Images

A bee from across the pond. This is Lithurgus chrysurus. This is a Euro bee, but in the 70s some one noticed that their house in Philipsburg, NJ was being drilled to bits by bees.

In North America this genus are primarily cactus pollen specialists. Since this one was captured in the sandhills of North Carolina by Heather Campbell it is undoubtedly covered in Prickly Pear cactus pollen. Note the projecting shelf just below the antennae on this female...collected by Heather

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.

Lithurgus tibialis: a fascinating species in that it is much smaller and looks quiet different from other Lithurgus species occurring in Europe and has the peculiar preference for flowers of Chrozophora, a quite unusual pollen source.., but from studies in Greece it is clear that the females almost solely visit this plant and collect its pollen.

Lithurgus tibialis: a fascinating species in that it is much smaller and looks quiet different from other Lithurgus species occurring in Europe and has the peculiar preference for flowers of Chrozophora, a quite unusual pollen source.., but from studies in Greece it is clear that the females almost solely visit this plant and collect its pollen.

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.

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.

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 small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

From the small San Juan Island National Historic park comes this bee: Lasioglossum pacificum. Historically, this species has nothing to do with this park being historical, but there just possibly might be an important backstory where this species played an important role in keeping the United States as the nation we know it rather than all of us being Canadian.

This Lasioglossum comes from Yellowstone National Park. If we actually had a good shot of its head you would see that it has an interesting and large one, but we don't, so you just have to be satisfied with the top of the abdomen, which is nice enough for a bee. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. Photoshopping by Wayne Boo.

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.

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.

A Lasioglossum with its weakened wing veins exhibiting a lovely hybrid cerulean, sky, molten blue with metallic notes offset with bright white hairs. From Redwoods National Park in California as part of a study of bees in vulnerable areas in Parks. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Ah, a dark Lasioglossum, small, all black, a bit of gloss on the thorax, sides rough, angulate, like crumpled tinfoil, except black. Small, common, and expected thoughout the East.

Lovely and subtle wings, patterned in tiny hairs and blinged with iridescenceOne of many species of slightly metallic Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group. Lasioglossum perpunctatum is a northernly inclined species found in the Appalachians and up across northern North America.

In the Badlands of South Dakota comes a red-butted Lasioglossum. Most have dark posteriors, but not this one, which means that identification is simplified. But, one must still untangle this species from the handful of other species with red on the abdomen. Its still a mystery to me how all these Lasioglossums carve up the floral space.

A little parasitic Lasioglossum from Frederick County, Maryland. The female invades nests of other Lasioglossum species and lays her egg in their nest. The host egg/baby does not fair well after that. The most common of the parasitic Lasioglossum species.