Images

An underlooked bee, so to speak. Hylaeus sparsus, a small Hylaeus that comes with a nice spine where the leg attaches to the thorax...making ID easy ...if you look for that spine, otherwise it is another small Masked Bee. This one was collected by Jessica Rykken in Shenandoah National Park.

a lovely lady Hylaeus from Kenya, one of the specimens from the Packer lab that did not make it into the upcoming book. It was a very dirty specimen originally, lots of dust and pollen, thank goodness for photoshop. Also experimented with using the augmentation brush to pull light into dark spots, darken off excess eyeshine, and help with pin removal.

a lovely lady Hylaeus from Kenya, one of the specimens from the Packer lab that did not make it into the upcoming book. It was a very dirty specimen originally, lots of dust and pollen, thank goodness for photoshop. Also experimented with using the augmentation brush to pull light into dark spots, darken off excess eyeshine, and help with pin removal.

a lovely lady Hylaeus from Kenya, one of the specimens from the Packer lab that did not make it into the upcoming book. It was a very dirty specimen originally, lots of dust and pollen, thank goodness for photoshop. Also experimented with using the augmentation brush to pull light into dark spots, darken off excess eyeshine, and help with pin removal.

One of the native species of Maui, here unusually found at lower elevations on the island during surveys last spring. Normally this group is restricted to upper elevations that retain at least a large component of the native flora.

One of the native species of Maui, here unusually found at lower elevations on the island during surveys last spring. Normally this group is restricted to upper elevations that retain at least a large component of the native flora.

One of the native species of Maui, here unusually found at lower elevations on the island during surveys last spring. Normally this group is restricted to upper elevations that retain at least a large component of the native flora.

Here is a series of 6 shots of Hylaeus verticalis, 3 male, 3 female. A northern and mountain bee throughout North America. One of a bunch of different Masked Bees that lurk around the continent. Photos by Sue Boo and Brooke Alexander.

Here is a series of 6 shots of Hylaeus verticalis, 3 male, 3 female. A northern and mountain bee throughout North America. One of a bunch of different Masked Bees that lurk around the continent. Photos by Sue Boo and Brooke Alexander.

From Isle Royale National Park in Michigan... Hylaeus verticalis. So many bee species to document....Photography by Sara Guerrieri. 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.

Hylaeus volatilis - A native species of Hawaiian bee found at mid elevations on East Maui. This species is particularly interesting in that it is a nest parasite of other native Hylaeus species

Larimer County, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park

Larimer County, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park

Larimer County, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park

Unknown Hylaeus species from Hawaii, Oahu, March 2012. Almost certainly an introduced species. Female

This large Hylaeus related wasp mimic is found in Australia and New Zealand. Thanks to Bernhard Jacobi for the determination. Another specimen from the vaults of the Packer Lab. 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.

Small resin nest building bees. Most of the genus hails from South America with one species making it up into southern Mexico. Another from the Packer lab!

Small resin nest building bees. Most of the genus hails from South America with one species making it up into southern Mexico. Another from the Packer lab!

Always a bit floppy, this is St. Andrew's Cross a small bushy thing with long odd petals.....I will admit to knowing little about the plant. Pictures and plant collection by Helen Lowe Metzman.

The spots of the Spotted St. Johnswort are much more dramatic when viewed close up. Why are they spotted one wonders. Specimen and picture by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Ichneumonidae; Pimplinae, Fire Island National Seashore, New York