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USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center images.

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Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Back1, WY, Lincoln County
Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Back1, WY, Lincoln County
Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Back1, WY, Lincoln County

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

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Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Face, WY, Lincoln County
Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Face, WY, Lincoln County
Lasioglossum occidentale, F, Face, WY, Lincoln County

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

Fossil Butte Wyoming...has fossils and bees. Here is Lasioglossum occidentale, per normal...it looks like almost every other Lasioglossum in the Dialictus group). Some bee people have given up careers over these. Photo By Brooke Alexander.

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Lasioglossum pacatum, F, back, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum pacatum, F, back, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum pacatum, F, back, UT, Garfield 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.

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Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota
Lasioglossum paraforbesii, F, side, Pennington Co., S. Dakota

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.

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Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County
Lasioglossum pavonotum, F, Side, CA, Humboldt County

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.

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.

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Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County
Megachile addenda, F, Side, NJ, Monmouth County

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

A sand loving, ground nesting Megachile from Gateway National Recreation Area on Sandy Hook in New Jersey. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.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, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

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Megachile albisecta, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Megachile albisecta, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene
Megachile albisecta, F, Face, Greece, Aegean Islands, Lesvos, Mytilene

Megachile albisecta: An European summer species found on knapweed and thistles. A beautiful and large species. Collected by Jelle Devalez in the Aegean Island of Lesvos, Greece. 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.

Megachile albisecta: An European summer species found on knapweed and thistles. A beautiful and large species. Collected by Jelle Devalez in the Aegean Island of Lesvos, Greece. 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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Megachile albitarsis, M, Side, FL, Torreya
Megachile albitarsis, M, Side, FL, Torreya
Megachile albitarsis, M, Side, FL, Torreya

Now this is one handsome male. This is Megachile albitarsis, we took it long enough ago (am working through out backlog of things needing photoshopping) that I can't recall the circumstances. This large, not uncommon, southern bee has big hands. These are used to cover the female's eyes during mating. You can make up your own story as to why.

Now this is one handsome male. This is Megachile albitarsis, we took it long enough ago (am working through out backlog of things needing photoshopping) that I can't recall the circumstances. This large, not uncommon, southern bee has big hands. These are used to cover the female's eyes during mating. You can make up your own story as to why.

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Megachile apicalis, f, face, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile apicalis, f, face, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile apicalis, f, face, Yolo Co., CA

Carrying on from the recent posts of Lithurgus chrysurus, here is another European bee that specializes on Knapweed. This specimen from the West Coast, but it occurs throughout North America. Photo by Anders Croft. This bee was collected in the California Central Valley in Yolo County for research on small-scale restoration in agricultural areas.

Carrying on from the recent posts of Lithurgus chrysurus, here is another European bee that specializes on Knapweed. This specimen from the West Coast, but it occurs throughout North America. Photo by Anders Croft. This bee was collected in the California Central Valley in Yolo County for research on small-scale restoration in agricultural areas.

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Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, left, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, left, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, left, Yolo Co., CA

A trinomial: Megachile brevis onobrychidis. Thus it is a declaired subspecies of M. brevis of which there have been several and at least one has turned into a species. Since the distribution of M.

A trinomial: Megachile brevis onobrychidis. Thus it is a declaired subspecies of M. brevis of which there have been several and at least one has turned into a species. Since the distribution of M.

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Megachile brevis, m, fade, md aleghany county
Megachile brevis, m, fade, md aleghany county
Megachile brevis, m, fade, md aleghany county

I like looking at this shot, the symmetry, this alien being, this unknowable insect, there is something alive, even relatable here. This one is worth looking at full-screen. What if, indeed, this Megachile brevis, was as large as a puppy dog, would we treat it the same as we do now?

I like looking at this shot, the symmetry, this alien being, this unknowable insect, there is something alive, even relatable here. This one is worth looking at full-screen. What if, indeed, this Megachile brevis, was as large as a puppy dog, would we treat it the same as we do now?

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Megachile centuncularis, F, Face, NY, Elk Lake
Megachile centuncularis, F, Face, NY, Elk Lake
Megachile centuncularis, F, Face, NY, Elk Lake

From the Adirondacks of New York comes Megachile centuncularis. Sadly, it is an invasive species that can be quite common in northern cities across the U.S. as well as throughout the northern part of the globe. Maybe that is why it is so successful, it likes our holes.

From the Adirondacks of New York comes Megachile centuncularis. Sadly, it is an invasive species that can be quite common in northern cities across the U.S. as well as throughout the northern part of the globe. Maybe that is why it is so successful, it likes our holes.

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Megachile centuncularis, m, back, Cleveland, OH
Megachile centuncularis, m, back, Cleveland, OH
Megachile centuncularis, m, back, Cleveland, OH

Not originating from here. This is Megachile centuncularis, from studies by MaLisa Spring in Cleveland. Cleveland and other large cities house more than their share of non-native species largely or likely because of the presence of so many non-native weeds and garden introductions.

Not originating from here. This is Megachile centuncularis, from studies by MaLisa Spring in Cleveland. Cleveland and other large cities house more than their share of non-native species largely or likely because of the presence of so many non-native weeds and garden introductions.

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Megachile centuncularis, m, face, Cleveland, OH
Megachile centuncularis, m, face, Cleveland, OH
Megachile centuncularis, m, face, Cleveland, OH

Not originating from here. This is Megachile centuncularis, from studies by MaLisa Spring in Cleveland. Cleveland and other large cities house more than their share of non-native species largely or likely because of the presence of so many non-native weeds and garden introductions.

Not originating from here. This is Megachile centuncularis, from studies by MaLisa Spring in Cleveland. Cleveland and other large cities house more than their share of non-native species largely or likely because of the presence of so many non-native weeds and garden introductions.

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Megachile Chalicodoma species, f, morocco, face
Megachile Chalicodoma species, f, morocco, face
Megachile Chalicodoma species, f, morocco, face

A Megachile from Morocco that is in the Chalicodoma subgenus, group, or sometimes full blown genus depending upon your taxonomic proclivities. Characteristically the females do not cut leaves to line the nests but use resin or mud and thus do not have the scissors-like cutting edges on their mandibles. This nicely arrayed species is from Iran.

A Megachile from Morocco that is in the Chalicodoma subgenus, group, or sometimes full blown genus depending upon your taxonomic proclivities. Characteristically the females do not cut leaves to line the nests but use resin or mud and thus do not have the scissors-like cutting edges on their mandibles. This nicely arrayed species is from Iran.

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Lasioglossum synthridis, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum synthridis, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Lasioglossum synthridis, F, Face, UT, Garfield County

From Bryce Canyon National Park comes a small Lasioglossum, similar to many other species of this specious genus. Western in distribution I know actually nothing about its life. Picture by Brooke Alexander.

From Bryce Canyon National Park comes a small Lasioglossum, similar to many other species of this specious genus. Western in distribution I know actually nothing about its life. Picture by Brooke Alexander.

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Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, Back, Georgia, Camden Co
Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, Back, Georgia, Camden Co
Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, Back, Georgia, Camden Co

A very southern Lasioglossum, this one sneaking up the coast only about as far as this site on Cumberland Island National Seashore.

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Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, back1, Florida, St. Johns County
Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, back1, Florida, St. Johns County
Lasioglossum tamiamense, F, back1, Florida, St. Johns County

Another one of those metallic Lasioglossums in the Dialictus group....so similar until you look at them under the microscope ...where they continue to look so similar. It is a world of nuance to us, but somehow many Lasioglossum species evolve, do different things, partition the sexual universe and become species.

Another one of those metallic Lasioglossums in the Dialictus group....so similar until you look at them under the microscope ...where they continue to look so similar. It is a world of nuance to us, but somehow many Lasioglossum species evolve, do different things, partition the sexual universe and become species.

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