Apidae melitoma, f, face, Bagaces, CR

Melitoma species. One of several species that are in the Melitoma clan, that also occurred in Costa Rica. This is collected by Tim McMahon while on an expedition to that lovely country. The species is currently unknown, at least to us, but note the very long tongue, super characteristic. It appears that most of the Melitomians are specialists on morning glories (Ipomoea) and you can see why having a long tongue would be particularly useful. Photography by Erick Hernandez. 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, USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture.