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USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center images.

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Melissodes bimaculata, M, face, Florida, Miami-Dade County
Melissodes bimaculata, M, face, Florida, Miami-Dade County
Melissodes bimaculata, M, face, Florida, Miami-Dade County

While almost certainly M. bimaculata, this specimen from Key Biscayne National Park, does not conform to the description of South Florida specimens, which are given the subspecies name. M. b. nulla

While almost certainly M. bimaculata, this specimen from Key Biscayne National Park, does not conform to the description of South Florida specimens, which are given the subspecies name. M. b. nulla

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Melissodes communis, male, face
Melissodes communis, male, face
Melissodes communis, male, face

Melissodes communis from Biscayne National Park at the tip of Florida. Perhaps the most common species of Melissodes in the deep south. Big and hits the yellow composites like most of the Melissodes. Fast flier. The group is known as summer long-horned bees. Picture by Brooke Alexander, shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Melissodes communis from Biscayne National Park at the tip of Florida. Perhaps the most common species of Melissodes in the deep south. Big and hits the yellow composites like most of the Melissodes. Fast flier. The group is known as summer long-horned bees. Picture by Brooke Alexander, shopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

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Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, Carroll Co., MD
Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, Carroll Co., MD
Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, Carroll Co., MD

A pollen specialist. This species gathers pollen from what appears to be entirely the wet meadow growing plant. ironweed. A lovely deep purple aster that when planted in meadows and gardens is almost immediately discovered by this bee even though the region surrounding seems devoid of ironweed.

A pollen specialist. This species gathers pollen from what appears to be entirely the wet meadow growing plant. ironweed. A lovely deep purple aster that when planted in meadows and gardens is almost immediately discovered by this bee even though the region surrounding seems devoid of ironweed.

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Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2
Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2
Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2

A pollen specialist. This species gathers pollen from what appears to be entirely the wet meadow growing plant. ironweed. A lovely deep purple aster that when planted in meadows and gardens is almost immediately discovered by this bee even though the region surrounding seems devoid of ironweed.

A pollen specialist. This species gathers pollen from what appears to be entirely the wet meadow growing plant. ironweed. A lovely deep purple aster that when planted in meadows and gardens is almost immediately discovered by this bee even though the region surrounding seems devoid of ironweed.

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Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman
Medeola virginiana, Indian Cucumber Root, Howard County, Md, Helen Lowe Metzman

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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.

Medeola virginiana - Indian cucumber root. Yes, the root is edible and yummy. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman. 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, f, back, Chambers co, Texas
Megachile albitarsis, f, back, Chambers co, Texas
Megachile albitarsis, f, back, Chambers co, Texas

I recently spent some time at a family reunion in South Central Texas and, of course, brought my net. Here is Megachile albitarsis, a large ground nesting Meg with its lovely amber red eyes and orange pollen carrying hairs.

I recently spent some time at a family reunion in South Central Texas and, of course, brought my net. Here is Megachile albitarsis, a large ground nesting Meg with its lovely amber red eyes and orange pollen carrying hairs.

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Megachile apicalis, f, back, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile apicalis, f, back, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile apicalis, f, back, 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 apicalis, female, underside of abdomen
Megachile apicalis, female, underside of abdomen
Megachile apicalis, female, underside of abdomen

I like this particular view of the underside of this bee. The black hairs are characteristic of the species, but it is also an oddly appealing picture in its aspect and layout, at least to me.Megachile apicalis - Invasive species: Specialist on knapweeds: Not common unless you haunt industrial and other wastelands where it can be common.

I like this particular view of the underside of this bee. The black hairs are characteristic of the species, but it is also an oddly appealing picture in its aspect and layout, at least to me.Megachile apicalis - Invasive species: Specialist on knapweeds: Not common unless you haunt industrial and other wastelands where it can be common.

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Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, face, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, face, Yolo Co., CA
Megachile brevis onobrychidis, f, face, 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, F, side, Tennessee, Haywood County
Megachile brevis, F, side, Tennessee, Haywood County
Megachile brevis, F, side, Tennessee, Haywood County

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee - A leaf cutting bee, common throughout much of North America

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Megachile centuncularis, F, Back, NY, Elk Lake
Megachile centuncularis, F, Back, NY, Elk Lake
Megachile centuncularis, F, Back, 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 chlorura, F, Back, HI, Maui County
Megachile chlorura, F, Back, HI, Maui County
Megachile chlorura, F, Back, HI, Maui County

Hawaii was colonized once by a single species of Masked Bee (Hylaeus), and evolved and split into dozens of species. Subsequent to Polynesian and European colonization a steady progression of non-native plants and bees have invaded.

Hawaii was colonized once by a single species of Masked Bee (Hylaeus), and evolved and split into dozens of species. Subsequent to Polynesian and European colonization a steady progression of non-native plants and bees have invaded.

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Megachile chlorura, F, Side, HI, Maui County
Megachile chlorura, F, Side, HI, Maui County
Megachile chlorura, F, Side, HI, Maui County

Hawaii was colonized once by a single species of Masked Bee (Hylaeus), and evolved and split into dozens of species. Subsequent to Polynesian and European colonization a steady progression of non-native plants and bees have invaded.

Hawaii was colonized once by a single species of Masked Bee (Hylaeus), and evolved and split into dozens of species. Subsequent to Polynesian and European colonization a steady progression of non-native plants and bees have invaded.

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Megachile concinna, F, back, Puerto Rico, Boqueron
Megachile concinna, F, back, Puerto Rico, Boqueron
Megachile concinna, F, back, Puerto Rico, Boqueron

Sara Prado found this Megachile concinna in agriculture fields in her Puerto Rico studies. Is it native to P.R.? Nope. It is a tramp species that shows up in different places from its homeland in the Mediteranean. Photo by Brooke Alexander.

Sara Prado found this Megachile concinna in agriculture fields in her Puerto Rico studies. Is it native to P.R.? Nope. It is a tramp species that shows up in different places from its homeland in the Mediteranean. Photo by Brooke Alexander.

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Megachile coquilletti, f, left side, Pima Co. Tucson, AZ
Megachile coquilletti, f, left side, Pima Co. Tucson, AZ
Megachile coquilletti, f, left side, Pima Co. Tucson, AZ

A sweet little leaf cutter from Tucson Arizona, Megachile coquilletti is a hole nester and I imagine like its sister taxi in the East probably is happy to nest in people's yards and benefits from rich plantings of desert and dry country native plants. Collected by Tim McMahon and picturated by Elizabeth Garcia.

A sweet little leaf cutter from Tucson Arizona, Megachile coquilletti is a hole nester and I imagine like its sister taxi in the East probably is happy to nest in people's yards and benefits from rich plantings of desert and dry country native plants. Collected by Tim McMahon and picturated by Elizabeth Garcia.

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Melissodes subillata, f, face, velum, Dorchester Co, MD
Melissodes subillata, f, face, velum, Dorchester Co, MD
Melissodes subillata, f, face, velum, Dorchester Co, MD

A small Melissodes bee, in a difficult to identify subgenus....in this case this specimen is covered with pollen, which pollen from what type of plant...? Unclear. But it is from a study of agricultural field edges in Maine by Brianne Du Clos...that much we know. Photograph by Hannah Sutton.

A small Melissodes bee, in a difficult to identify subgenus....in this case this specimen is covered with pollen, which pollen from what type of plant...? Unclear. But it is from a study of agricultural field edges in Maine by Brianne Du Clos...that much we know. Photograph by Hannah Sutton.

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