Images

Background fun. Note that in one picture in this series we put a background of grass in our mini-insect studio in front of the black velvet curtain. What do you think ...pro? con?This is Anthidium illustre a snappy looking beast from the Rocky Mountains west.

Anthidium loti: A characteristic summer species of the Greece, almost always found on the abundantly flowering Vitex agnus-castus. The males are swift flyers protecting their favorite bush of Vitex against intruders on warm summer days. Specimen collected by Jelle Devalez on Lesvos Island, Greece. Photography by Maggie Yuan.

Anthidium loti: A characteristic summer species of the Greece, almost always found on the abundantly flowering Vitex agnus-castus. The males are swift flyers protecting their favorite bush of Vitex against intruders on warm summer days. Specimen collected by Jelle Devalez on Lesvos Island, Greece. Photography by Maggie Yuan.

What a lovely female Anthidium manicatum from Massachusetts. This species is a non-native species that has successfully invaded much of the Eastern parts of North America, in particular it is fond of ornamental gardens containing furry leaved plants which it uses to line its nest.

Andrena fragilis, male, Cecil County, Maryland, June 2012

Andrena gardineri, Maryland, Garrett County, May 2012

Andrena gardineri, female, May 2012, Maryland, Garrett County,

Andrena gardineri, female, Garrett County, Maryland

Andrena gardineri, female side, May 2012 Garrett County, Maryland

Andrena perplexa, female, May 2012, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center

Andrena rudbeckiae, male, June, 2012 Kent County, Maryland

Anemone americana - Round-lobed Hepatica. At times white like this flower, but can grade all the way up to a lovely purpley blue color in other individuals. Photo and individual from Helen Lowe Metzman.

Bling Butterfly - Anteros fomosus - a.k.a.Black-bellied Anteros, or Formosus Jewelmark, collected in Peru. This is the underside and I show a variety of shots at different magnifications to highlight the lovely metalmarks some of the mirror-like scales create. Specimen from the Natural History Museum in Washington D.,C.

Bling Butterfly - Anteros fomosus - a.k.a.Black-bellied Anteros, or Formosus Jewelmark, collected in Peru. This is the underside and I show a variety of shots at different magnifications to highlight the lovely metalmarks some of the mirror-like scales create. Specimen from the Natural History Museum in Washington D.,C.

Unknown Cerambycid beetle, from Laurel Maryland collected in June by Francisco Posada

You probably have this problem. You get a specimen in, but it covered in gunk and its hairs are all matted. What do you do? Well, I think we have finally figured it out. Here is a specimen of Bombus rufocinctus caught by the state of Pennsylvania in some kind of dry trap, covered in moth scales and gook. Then, it gets a new look at the USGS BEEauty salon.

Here is a lovely black and red seed. Photographed on the cut tip of a pin. Sadly, I do not have a record of the seed's name, so any help with this distinct specimen would be appreciated. This seed came from a 100 year old collection of seeds used as reference by the old Bureau of Biological Survey.

Agrotis ipsilon - Black Cutworm - Another major crop pest. This species moves into northern parts of North America after overwintering in Texas and Mexico and then pulls off a couple of generations in weedy fields and particularly impacting newly planted corn. Yet another pest that looks rather beautiful when viewed up close.

Jessica Zelt found this small Blue-gray Gnatcatcher nest from the previous season on the ground at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center a few days ago. How beautifully made of lichens, hair and spiderwebs. Photograph by Hannah Sutton. 100mm Canon used, with Zerene Stacking software.

A very large Chrysidid Wasp from Kruger National Park, species unknown, Anders Croft photographer.

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