All Multimedia

Osmia bucephala female, Allegany County, Maryland, May, 2012

Osmia distincta, female, Maryland, May 2012, Allegany County

Osmia distincta, Allegany County, Maryland, May 2012

Aniseroot - Smells of licorice and a widely used medicinal and food plant. Osmorrhiza longistylis. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Aniseroot - Smells of licorice and a widely used medicinal and food plant. Osmorrhiza longistylis. Photo and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Fuzzy head of the Cinnamon Fern , Osmundastrum cinnamomeum. Specimen and photo by Helen Lowe Metzman.

Another ancient specimens form the National Collection at the Smithsonian. This is Oxaea was collected in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia many years ago. Note the metallic bands on the abdomen and protruding face of this male. I hope to collect more of this group on an upcoming expedition to Chile.... Photograph by Samia Shell.

Whoops, forgot to add this shot of Oxaea to the last set...nice shot of the big nose on this species.

Another ancient specimens form the National Collection at the Smithsonian. This is Ocaea

An unknown species of Oxybelus (a tiny little fly hunting wasp) from Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve in Duval county, Florida. Photograph by Brooke Alexander. 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.

A bee with great form. The shot of this from Africa from the back reminds me of sputnik. As in all the anthidiini it is a wonderful combination of deep pits and tastefully arrayed colors. I think such designs would look great as warrior outerwear.

A bee with great form. The shot of this from Africa from the back reminds me of sputnik. As in all the anthidiini it is a wonderful combination of deep pits and tastefully arrayed colors. I think such designs would look great as warrior outerwear.

A bee with great form. The shot of this from Africa from the back reminds me of sputnik. As in all the anthidiini it is a wonderful combination of deep pits and tastefully arrayed colors. I think such designs would look great as warrior outerwear.

An enormous bee from Madagascar, the largest members of the subfamily Anthophorini. At least some of these bees are hover pollinators of native plants in the mint family. Males have some slight modifications of the hind legs and an oddly projecting humanized face.

Pachyprosopis cornuta, Horned Naked Bee, collected in Australia by Laurence PackerHere we have a representative of a subfamily of bees found only in Australia and nearby islands, although at least one has been introduced to a different continent (Africa) where it persisted long enough for bee collectors to find some.

Pachyprosopis cornuta, f, australia, face

Pachyprosopis cornuta, f, australia, side

Golden Ragwort, Packera aurea. Common in Appalachia...and spotty on the coastal plains. Favored by Andrena gardineri...who feed their young only pollen from this plant. A nice ground cover plant for gardens, particularly shaded ones....Photo and specimens from Helen Lowe Metzman.

Golden Ragwort, Packera aurea. Common in Appalachia...and spotty on the coastal plains. Favored by Andrena gardineri...who feed their young only pollen from this plant. A nice ground cover plant for gardens, particularly shaded ones....Photo and specimens from Helen Lowe Metzman.

Golden ragwort, one of several species, now given the genus name of Packera...but formerly Senecio. Those taxonomists... This group hangs out in wet areas or moist roadsides, particularly in the Appalachians.

Golden ragwort, one of several species, now given the genus name of Packera...but formerly Senecio. Those taxonomists... This group hangs out in wet areas or moist roadsides, particularly in the Appalachians.