Images

Andrena lupinorum, Badlands National Park, South Dakota, Pennington County

what is your thinking on willows? Like most people, maybe not much. They make great wicker baskets. They also tolerate some pretty extreme conditions along rivers, streams, tundra, that other trees can handle. In the East they are the largest plant being that has "specialist" bees.

what is your thinking on willows? Like most people, maybe not much. They make great wicker baskets. They also tolerate some pretty extreme conditions along rivers, streams, tundra, that other trees can handle. In the East they are the largest plant being that has "specialist" bees.

Andrena macra, a southern bee that just barely makes its way to Maryland. Seems to like to aggregate nests in sandy areas and create small colonies, although colonies are probably a poor word choice, perhaps more likely they just like to nest near one another.

Andrena macra. One of almost 100 species of Andrena that occur in the State of Maryland.

Andrena macra, a southern bee that just barely makes its way to Maryland. Seems to like to aggregate nests in sandy areas and create small colonies, although colonies are probably a poor word choice, perhaps more likely they just like to nest near one another.

Andrena macra. One of almost 100 species of Andrena that occur in the State of Maryland.

Andrena macra, a southern bee that just barely makes its way to Maryland. Seems to like to aggregate nests in sandy areas and create small colonies, although colonies are probably a poor word choice, perhaps more likely they just like to nest near one another.

A couple of so so pictures of Andrena milwaukeensis. Check out the tiny dark hairs in the facial fovea.. Photo by Dejen Mengis

Collected by Ms. West Virginia bees, Jane Whitaker, this spring bee species can be seen in the Appalachians north. Photoshopping by Thistle Droege, photography by Dejen Mengis.

A bee (Andrena morrisonella) that may or may not be the same species as A. imitatrix.

A bee (Andrena morrisonella) that may or may not be the same species as A. imitatrix.

Andrena nasonii. In this case a female, one of the least distinguishable species there is, but fortunately very common and so there are small and differences between the species and others that together allows us to recognize it when plowing through thousands of them.

Andrena nasonii. In this case a female, one of the least distinguishable species there is, but fortunately very common and so there are small and differences between the species and others that together allows us to recognize it when plowing through thousands of them.

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From Anne Arundel County, in Maryland, this is one of but a few Andrena that come out in the Fall. Brooke Alexander was the photographer.Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

From Acadia National Park in Maine, this is one of but a few Andrena that come out in the Fall. Brooke Alexander was the photographer.Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

Most people don't realize how important willow trees are to our native bees in North America. They are a major pollen and nectar source early in the spring and they have more specialists than almost any other plant on the continent. Here is one of those specialists. This is Andrena nida. This bee feed it's young only the pollen from Willow.

Most people don't realize how important willow trees are to our native bees in North America. They are a major pollen and nectar source early in the spring and they have more specialists than almost any other plant on the continent. Here is one of those specialists. This is Andrena nida. This bee feed it's young only the pollen from Willow.

Most people don't realize how important willow trees are to our native bees in North America. They are a major pollen and nectar source early in the spring and they have more specialists than almost any other plant on the continent. Here is one of those specialists. This is Andrena nida. This bee feed it's young only the pollen from Willow.

Most people don't realize how important willow trees are to our native bees in North America. They are a major pollen and nectar source early in the spring and they have more specialists than almost any other plant on the continent. Here is one of those specialists. This is Andrena nida. This bee feed it's young only the pollen from Willow.