Melissodes denticulata, F, Face, 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. Photograhed by Amber Reese, Collected by Tim McMahon in Carroll County, MarylandCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200