Images

A bee that has not been seen in Maryland for over 100 years. Protandrena abdominalis. And...still has not been seen in Maryland for 100 years. This specimen actually came from Texas where I was visiting my kin (but not so secretly also collecting bees).

A bee that has not been seen in Maryland for over 100 years. Protandrena abdominalis. And...still has not been seen in Maryland for 100 years. This specimen actually came from Texas where I was visiting my kin (but not so secretly also collecting bees).

One of the best bee plants...big, tall, and simply by being a tree, voluminous in pollen and nectar resources. Black Cherry. Prunus serotina. Specimen and plants by Helen Lowe Metzman.

A populous genus with many South American species, check out the ultra wide head of this male from Argentina. From the Packer Lab collection.

Sassafrass....the trees are dioecious ... males and females on separate trees. While they do have plenty of flowers they are rarely visited by bees. Perhaps it is more of fly pollination system. Specimens and pictures by Helen Lowe Metzman from Howard County, Maryland.

Aegolius acadicus, the Norther Saw-whet owl. Look at the different feathers that occur around the eye and around the facial disk to increase their ability to hear, but not loose heat. This one unfortunately ran into a building in downtown DC at night while migrating.

Feet of death for small insects and mammals. Aegolius acadicus, the Norther Saw-whet owl. This one unfortunately ran into a building in downtown DC at night while migrating.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Unknown Scarab, found in bowl trap in the high plateau of West Virginia by Jane Whitaker, specimen approximately 8mm and floating in hand sanitzer. You can see a couple of mites on the left side. This specimen has been designated as the Gilbert Godfrey Beetle by the NWF Staff.

Unknown Scarab, found in bowl trap in the high plateau of West Virginia by Jane Whitaker, specimen approximately 8mm and floating in hand sanitzer...notice the 4 mites!

Schizocosa avida, in hand sanitizer in a cuvette, unknown species, September, Maryland, identified by Lady Arachnophile

Upper Marlboro, MD, May 2012

A wasp species. This specimen was collected as part of a bee survey of Cape Cod National Seashore and its larva are parasitoids of beetle grubs.

Another small mint ...here we have Scutellaria elliptica. Look close. What is going on here? Why all this architecture? lips, hoods, long corollas...why purple with white patches and spots...could it have to do with bees? so many questions. Specimen and photograph by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Blue or Mad Dog Skullcap - A common little perennial native mint. For some reason it only puts out flowers on one side of the stem. Having skullcaps is a sign that you are doing things right. Collected by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County Maryland.

I THINK this is a sedge, but sadly I just grabbed it quickly while at Finzel Swamp (western Maryland) where it was blooming in clumps around the edge of the large pond located there. Any corrections to my Sedge ID would be very welcome

Seeds and various parts of Senna hebecarpa, American Senna. The details of plants blooms and other body parts have their own beauty. Pictures and specimens by Helen Lowe Metzman, Howard County, MD.

American Wild Senna. A lovely, and slightly exotic wildflower found in Maryland, Howard County by Helen Lowe Metzman. I don't often see bees on this plant and from the structure of the plant it would seem to be oriented to pollination by bumble bees.

Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park - Thanks to Chris Thompson for the determination!

Uknown Cuerna sharpshooter from Fossil Butte National Monument

Dominican Republic, Lisa Hopper, Sharpshooter, suspended in hand sanitizer within a quartz cuvette. had some problems exposing this picture due to the tremendous contrast between the bright white legs and the very dark wings next time maybe we will try using a different colored background