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USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center images.

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Bolbocerosoma tumefactum, yellow, pwrc, md, side face
Bolbocerosoma tumefactum, yellow, pwrc, md, side face
Bolbocerosoma tumefactum, yellow, pwrc, md, side face

Found in a bowl trap at Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, this is Bolbocerosoma tumefactum, a rather handsome dung beetle that doesn't eat dung.

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Bombus affinis, F, side, sky meadows, virginia
Bombus affinis, F, side, sky meadows, virginia
Bombus affinis, F, side, sky meadows, virginia

Still Here. I think this is big news and a big deal. T'ai Roulston and his identification triggerman Skyler Burrows stopped by the lab this week to work on some tricky bee ids and brought this Bombus affinis in from Sky Meadows State Park at the edge of the Blue Ridge in N. Virginia to have its picture taken.

Still Here. I think this is big news and a big deal. T'ai Roulston and his identification triggerman Skyler Burrows stopped by the lab this week to work on some tricky bee ids and brought this Bombus affinis in from Sky Meadows State Park at the edge of the Blue Ridge in N. Virginia to have its picture taken.

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Bombus affinis, F, Sky meadows sp, virginia, back
Bombus affinis, F, Sky meadows sp, virginia, back
Bombus affinis, F, Sky meadows sp, virginia, back

Still Here. I think this is big news and a big deal. T'ai Roulston and his identification triggerman Skyler Burrows stopped by the lab this week to work on some tricky bee ids and brought this Bombus affinis in from Sky Meadows State Park at the edge of the Blue Ridge in N. Virginia to have its picture taken.

Still Here. I think this is big news and a big deal. T'ai Roulston and his identification triggerman Skyler Burrows stopped by the lab this week to work on some tricky bee ids and brought this Bombus affinis in from Sky Meadows State Park at the edge of the Blue Ridge in N. Virginia to have its picture taken.

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Bombus affinis, m, racine wi, LW Macior 1964 face
Bombus affinis, m, racine wi, LW Macior 1964 face
Bombus affinis, m, racine wi, LW Macior 1964 face

The Endangered Bumble Bee. Bombus affinis. The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee. Here is a a male from Racine Wisconsin collected years ago when this species was one of the most common species. The collector was W.L. Macior and his specimens live in the National Collection at the Smithsonian.

The Endangered Bumble Bee. Bombus affinis. The Rusty-Patched Bumble Bee. Here is a a male from Racine Wisconsin collected years ago when this species was one of the most common species. The collector was W.L. Macior and his specimens live in the National Collection at the Smithsonian.

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Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, back, Talbot County, MD

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

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Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD
Augochloropsis metallica, male, left, Talbot County, MD

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

Now, here is Augochloropsis metallica metallica. See the previous post about A. m. fulgida for contrast. Note the generally darker blue and the fringe of stiff hairs along the edge of the abdomen.Brooke Googins is the photographer. This bee was collected on Plummer's Island as part of Gene Scarpulla's bee project in the Chesapeake Bay of Maryland.

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Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, back, NC Moore County

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

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Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County
Augochloropsis sumptuosa, F, side, NC Moore County

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

Collected by Heather Campbell in the Sandhills of North Carolina, this very uncommon blue and green metallic bee is exquisite at the macro level and, if you download the original file, at the micro level where the surface of the integument is lushly inscribed with microscopic lines and pits...characteristic of this species

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Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side
Baeoalitriozus diospyri, Persimmon psillid, AA COUNTY md,side

Persimmon Psyllid, Baeoalitriozus diospyri, collected on persimmon yesterday by Brad Seay in Davidsonville Maryland. Adult and eggs.

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Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman
Baptisia tinctoria 2, Wild Indigo, Howard County, MD, Helen Lowe Metzman

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

Ah, something in the pea family. This is Baptisia tinctoria...horseflyweed. If I find a patch of this relatively uncommon plant I always spend some time seeing what bees are active around it. In particularly I am looking for Anthidiellums and other members of Megachilidae. Definitely something to plant in your yard if you can get hold of them.

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bee 09856e08,m, thailand, face
bee 09856e08,m, thailand, face
bee 09856e08,m, thailand, face

Ctenoplectra, Unknown Blue-tailed Oil Mopping Bee, collected in Thailand by the Thailand Inventory Group for Entomological ResearchAnother Oil Mopping Bee, this an Asian one from Thailand rather than from Africa . Here is a good shot of the large scraper or comb this female has on her hind tibia.

Ctenoplectra, Unknown Blue-tailed Oil Mopping Bee, collected in Thailand by the Thailand Inventory Group for Entomological ResearchAnother Oil Mopping Bee, this an Asian one from Thailand rather than from Africa . Here is a good shot of the large scraper or comb this female has on her hind tibia.

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bee 09856e08,m, thailand, tool
bee 09856e08,m, thailand, tool
bee 09856e08,m, thailand, tool

Ctenoplectra, Unknown Blue-tailed Oil Mopping Bee, collected in Thailand by the Thailand Inventory Group for Entomological ResearchAnother Oil Mopping Bee, this an Asian one from Thailand rather than from Africa . Here is a good shot of the large scraper or comb this female has on her hind tibia.

Ctenoplectra, Unknown Blue-tailed Oil Mopping Bee, collected in Thailand by the Thailand Inventory Group for Entomological ResearchAnother Oil Mopping Bee, this an Asian one from Thailand rather than from Africa . Here is a good shot of the large scraper or comb this female has on her hind tibia.

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bee big 3 color, m, india, side
bee big 3 color, m, india, side
bee big 3 color, m, india, side

Amegilla of some kind from India...an A bumblebee mimic. A beautifully formatted bee, no matter what, who could come up with all these bee designs! 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.

Amegilla of some kind from India...an A bumblebee mimic. A beautifully formatted bee, no matter what, who could come up with all these bee designs! 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.

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bee bright geeen, m, argentina, angle
bee bright geeen, m, argentina, angle
bee bright geeen, m, argentina, angle

Temnosoma, Unknown Metallic Cuckoo Bee, collected in Argentina.A metallic green bee similar to many metallic green bees in the Sweat Bee family Halictiadae, but if you were to look at one under the microscope you would find that the female has no pollen collecting hairs and thus would probably conclude that it is a bee but one that does not collect pollen and theref

Temnosoma, Unknown Metallic Cuckoo Bee, collected in Argentina.A metallic green bee similar to many metallic green bees in the Sweat Bee family Halictiadae, but if you were to look at one under the microscope you would find that the female has no pollen collecting hairs and thus would probably conclude that it is a bee but one that does not collect pollen and theref

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bee cute furry face, m, argentina, face
bee cute furry face, m, argentina, face
bee cute furry face, m, argentina, face

Mourecotelles, Unknown Hairyeye Bee, collected in ArgentinaWhat an attractive bee, unfortunately, that is about all we can say about this species other than it is found in the western temperate regions of South America.

Mourecotelles, Unknown Hairyeye Bee, collected in ArgentinaWhat an attractive bee, unfortunately, that is about all we can say about this species other than it is found in the western temperate regions of South America.

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Anthophora urbana, back, Hidalgo Co., NM
Anthophora urbana, back, Hidalgo Co., NM
Anthophora urbana, back, Hidalgo Co., NM

Captured by the butterfly convert Don Harvey in the wilds of Hidalgo County, New Mexico, here is the hunky Anthophora urbana; captured, as you can see from the pollen covering it, after servicing the local flowers. This is one of the most common Anthophora in the West and unlike most bees who get up around 9 a.m. or so, our friend A.

Captured by the butterfly convert Don Harvey in the wilds of Hidalgo County, New Mexico, here is the hunky Anthophora urbana; captured, as you can see from the pollen covering it, after servicing the local flowers. This is one of the most common Anthophora in the West and unlike most bees who get up around 9 a.m. or so, our friend A.

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Anthophora urbana, left side, Hidalgo Co., NM
Anthophora urbana, left side, Hidalgo Co., NM
Anthophora urbana, left side, Hidalgo Co., NM

Captured by the butterfly convert Don Harvey in the wilds of Hidalgo County, New Mexico, here is the hunky Anthophora urbana; captured, as you can see from the pollen covering it, after servicing the local flowers. This is one of the most common Anthophora in the West and unlike most bees who get up around 9 a.m. or so, our friend A.

Captured by the butterfly convert Don Harvey in the wilds of Hidalgo County, New Mexico, here is the hunky Anthophora urbana; captured, as you can see from the pollen covering it, after servicing the local flowers. This is one of the most common Anthophora in the West and unlike most bees who get up around 9 a.m. or so, our friend A.

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Anthophora urbana, m, back. Yolo Co., CA
Anthophora urbana, m, back. Yolo Co., CA
Anthophora urbana, m, back. Yolo Co., CA

Here is a series of males and females of Anthophora urbana from Yolo County, California. This bee was collected in the California Central Valley in Yolo County for research on small-scale restoration in agricultural areas. Claire Kremen's 10-year study of hedgerows shows the benefits of planting native shrubs and forbs in agricultural areas for native bees.

Here is a series of males and females of Anthophora urbana from Yolo County, California. This bee was collected in the California Central Valley in Yolo County for research on small-scale restoration in agricultural areas. Claire Kremen's 10-year study of hedgerows shows the benefits of planting native shrubs and forbs in agricultural areas for native bees.

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Anthophora ursina, f, face, Dauphin County, PA
Anthophora ursina, f, face, Dauphin County, PA
Anthophora ursina, f, face, Dauphin County, PA

Messy. This Anthophora is just not very common around the MidAtlantic and I can't quite figure out any particular patterns to where it is ...and where it is not. It is also distributionally interesting since it is found on both coasts, but not in the prairies. Very suspicious. There needs to be an investigation. Are these different species?

Messy. This Anthophora is just not very common around the MidAtlantic and I can't quite figure out any particular patterns to where it is ...and where it is not. It is also distributionally interesting since it is found on both coasts, but not in the prairies. Very suspicious. There needs to be an investigation. Are these different species?

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Anthophora ursina, f, face, Hardy Co, WV
Anthophora ursina, f, face, Hardy Co, WV
Anthophora ursina, f, face, Hardy Co, WV

An uncommon Anthophora from West Virginia...actually all the native Anthophora are uncommon in the mid-atlantic area and always nice to find. This one collected as part of Dave Smith's malaise trap systems.

An uncommon Anthophora from West Virginia...actually all the native Anthophora are uncommon in the mid-atlantic area and always nice to find. This one collected as part of Dave Smith's malaise trap systems.

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Anthophora villosula, M, Face, MD, PG County
Anthophora villosula, M, Face, MD, PG County
Anthophora villosula, M, Face, MD, PG County

A Japanese Bee in America. This is Anthophora villosula. An Anthophora that was introduced in the 80s to Eastern U.S. for ag purposes, but its potential was never realized. Now, unfortunately, it is a common and spreading alien species dispersing from its original location in the Washington D.C. area and will likely occupy much of the country at some point.

A Japanese Bee in America. This is Anthophora villosula. An Anthophora that was introduced in the 80s to Eastern U.S. for ag purposes, but its potential was never realized. Now, unfortunately, it is a common and spreading alien species dispersing from its original location in the Washington D.C. area and will likely occupy much of the country at some point.

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