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USGS Bee Lab at the Eastern Ecological Science Center images.

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Prenolepis imparis, St michaels, jan reese, talbot, waxwing, back
Prenolepis imparis, St michaels, jan reese, talbot, waxwing, back
Prenolepis imparis, St michaels, jan reese, talbot, waxwing, back

A male alate or the winged reproductive form of the normally wingless ant group. The species is currently unknown, but we have it sent off to someone for identification.

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Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado Co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado Co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado Co., TX

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).

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Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, face, Colorado co., TX

This little red bee was collected on spotted beebalm. It seems to be the only species of plant, with the possibility of some close relatives being involved, that this bee finds worthy of collecting pollen from. If you Google images of spotted beebalm you'll see that it is quite the complicated and rather ornate flowering plant.

This little red bee was collected on spotted beebalm. It seems to be the only species of plant, with the possibility of some close relatives being involved, that this bee finds worthy of collecting pollen from. If you Google images of spotted beebalm you'll see that it is quite the complicated and rather ornate flowering plant.

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Protandrena abdominalis, f, right side, Colorado Co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, right side, Colorado Co., TX
Protandrena abdominalis, f, right side, Colorado Co., TX

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).

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Psaenythia species, m, argentina, face
Psaenythia species, m, argentina, face
Psaenythia species, m, argentina, face

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

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

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Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, face
Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, face
Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, face

Meet an illegal immigrant. This is Pseudoanthidium nanum a bee we first realized was present about 10 years ago. It now is established in the NJ and MD areas, and I believe I saw records from the Chicago area last year. I have only found it in the most urban of urban areas on the riot of corrupting weeds that we always bring with us where ever we live.

Meet an illegal immigrant. This is Pseudoanthidium nanum a bee we first realized was present about 10 years ago. It now is established in the NJ and MD areas, and I believe I saw records from the Chicago area last year. I have only found it in the most urban of urban areas on the riot of corrupting weeds that we always bring with us where ever we live.

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Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, right side
Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, right side
Pseudoanthidium nanum, m, Washington Co, right side

Meet an illegal immigrant. This is Pseudoanthidium nanum a bee we first realized was present about 10 years ago. It now is established in the NJ and MD areas, and I believe I saw records from the Chicago area last year. I have only found it in the most urban of urban areas on the riot of corrupting weeds that we always bring with us where ever we live.

Meet an illegal immigrant. This is Pseudoanthidium nanum a bee we first realized was present about 10 years ago. It now is established in the NJ and MD areas, and I believe I saw records from the Chicago area last year. I have only found it in the most urban of urban areas on the riot of corrupting weeds that we always bring with us where ever we live.

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Pseudomyrmex gracilis, U, side, Florida, Miami-Dade County
Pseudomyrmex gracilis, U, side, Florida, Miami-Dade County
Pseudomyrmex gracilis, U, side, Florida, Miami-Dade County

Pseudomyrmex gracilis from Biscayne National Park, Florida. Thanks to Doug Yanega for the Genus name and James Trager for the species name of this introduced species

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Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, back
Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, back
Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, back

A mysterious group, Pseudopanurgus, not very common, probably are to some extent plant specialists, but little studied, almost for sure there are several new species throughout North America and even in the eastern portions, but yet, but yet"¦where is the young ready to embrace a new Adventure and sort all this lovely diversity?

A mysterious group, Pseudopanurgus, not very common, probably are to some extent plant specialists, but little studied, almost for sure there are several new species throughout North America and even in the eastern portions, but yet, but yet"¦where is the young ready to embrace a new Adventure and sort all this lovely diversity?

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Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, face
Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, face
Pseudopanurgus labrosiformis, f, ga, baker, face

A mysterious group, Pseudopanurgus, not very common, probably are to some extent plant specialists, but little studied, almost for sure there are several new species throughout North America and even in the eastern portions, but yet, but yet"¦where is the young ready to embrace a new Adventure and sort all this lovely diversity?

A mysterious group, Pseudopanurgus, not very common, probably are to some extent plant specialists, but little studied, almost for sure there are several new species throughout North America and even in the eastern portions, but yet, but yet"¦where is the young ready to embrace a new Adventure and sort all this lovely diversity?

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Pseudopanurgus rugosus, f, left, Botetourt Co., VA
Pseudopanurgus rugosus, f, left, Botetourt Co., VA
Pseudopanurgus rugosus, f, left, Botetourt Co., VA

Pseudopanurgus rugosus, collected by the glorious State of Virginia Natural Heritage group. This whole group is a bit of a nightmare. Uncommon, tiny, often very similar looking and widely ignored by taxonomists. I often have to leave them as sp....or as we say 'spuh'.

Pseudopanurgus rugosus, collected by the glorious State of Virginia Natural Heritage group. This whole group is a bit of a nightmare. Uncommon, tiny, often very similar looking and widely ignored by taxonomists. I often have to leave them as sp....or as we say 'spuh'.

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Pterostichus permundus, u, maryland, cove point, back
Pterostichus permundus, u, maryland, cove point, back
Pterostichus permundus, u, maryland, cove point, back

Pterostichus permundus - A new Carabid Beetle for the State of Maryland. Captured at Cove Point at the tip of Calvert County Maryland by Brent Steury as part of his survey of the beetles of the site. For those of you who care, the leg shot is included showing the 4 tiny setae that separate this species from its sister taxa.

Pterostichus permundus - A new Carabid Beetle for the State of Maryland. Captured at Cove Point at the tip of Calvert County Maryland by Brent Steury as part of his survey of the beetles of the site. For those of you who care, the leg shot is included showing the 4 tiny setae that separate this species from its sister taxa.

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Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, back, Pr. George's Co. Maryland
Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, back, Pr. George's Co. Maryland
Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, back, Pr. George's Co. Maryland

I have nicknamed this bee (Ptilothrix bombiformis) the refuge bee because it is found so often on National Wildlife Refuges. Why? Well this species is a hibiscus specialist and refuges are full of impoundments and those impoundments often have fresh water hibiscus plants in them.

I have nicknamed this bee (Ptilothrix bombiformis) the refuge bee because it is found so often on National Wildlife Refuges. Why? Well this species is a hibiscus specialist and refuges are full of impoundments and those impoundments often have fresh water hibiscus plants in them.

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Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, right side, Pr. George's Co. Maryland
Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, right side, Pr. George's Co. Maryland
Ptilothrix bombiformis, m, right side, Pr. George's Co. Maryland

I have nicknamed this bee (Ptilothrix bombiformis) the refuge bee because it is found so often on National Wildlife Refuges. Why? Well this species is a hibiscus specialist and refuges are full of impoundments and those impoundments often have fresh water hibiscus plants in them.

I have nicknamed this bee (Ptilothrix bombiformis) the refuge bee because it is found so often on National Wildlife Refuges. Why? Well this species is a hibiscus specialist and refuges are full of impoundments and those impoundments often have fresh water hibiscus plants in them.

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One of the most common bees in the East...if only we could figure out how to identify it more easily. Here we have Lasioglossum trigeminum. Fits right in with A. admirandum, A. versatum, and A. callidum and I often struggle with dark second thoughts about the specimens Id, because of all the overlap.

One of the most common bees in the East...if only we could figure out how to identify it more easily. Here we have Lasioglossum trigeminum. Fits right in with A. admirandum, A. versatum, and A. callidum and I often struggle with dark second thoughts about the specimens Id, because of all the overlap.

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Quercus rubrum, acorn2, ontario
Quercus rubrum, acorn2, ontario
Quercus rubrum, acorn2, ontario

On a recent trip to York University to take pictures of bees from around the world, I was returning to his lab after a coffee field trip and was struck by the beautiful lines of some fresh red oak acorns.

On a recent trip to York University to take pictures of bees from around the world, I was returning to his lab after a coffee field trip and was struck by the beautiful lines of some fresh red oak acorns.

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redbud thing
redbud thing
redbud thing

I believe that this is the seed of a planted Redbud tree. I took it as a test shot in Steven's Point, WI...which is outside of the normal range of the species, someone else provided the pod. So I leave for others to identify

I believe that this is the seed of a planted Redbud tree. I took it as a test shot in Steven's Point, WI...which is outside of the normal range of the species, someone else provided the pod. So I leave for others to identify

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rediviva, f, south africa, back
rediviva, f, south africa, back
rediviva, f, south africa, back

Rediviva species, Black Daddy Longlegs Oil Bee, collected in South Africa We showed the male already...here is the female.What fantastically cool bees! These bees have extremely long front legs that they use to collect oil from plants, using the oil instead of nectar as food for the larvae. At the end of their legs are sponge-like patches of hairs.

Rediviva species, Black Daddy Longlegs Oil Bee, collected in South Africa We showed the male already...here is the female.What fantastically cool bees! These bees have extremely long front legs that they use to collect oil from plants, using the oil instead of nectar as food for the larvae. At the end of their legs are sponge-like patches of hairs.

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