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Explore our planet through photography and imagery, including climate change and water all the way back to the 1800s when the USGS was surveying the country by horse and buggy.

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Vitis spp. 3, Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman
Vitis spp. 3, Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman
Vitis spp. 3, Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

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Vitis spp., Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman
Vitis spp., Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman
Vitis spp., Howard Co, Maryland, H Metzman

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

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Washed Megachile, f, face, chile
Washed Megachile, f, face, chile
Washed Megachile, f, face, chile

One of the many forms that Megachile (leaf cutting bees) come in. this lovely all black species with the white crew cut comes from Chile. From the Packer Lab. A small very black bee with an extremely wide head.Note the lobe projecting from the "cheek" back towards the thorax.

One of the many forms that Megachile (leaf cutting bees) come in. this lovely all black species with the white crew cut comes from Chile. From the Packer Lab. A small very black bee with an extremely wide head.Note the lobe projecting from the "cheek" back towards the thorax.

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Wasp (2), U, back, Florida, Duval County
Wasp (2), U, back, Florida, Duval County
Wasp (2), U, back, Florida, Duval County

Unknown Chalcidoidea Wasp, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida

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Wasp (2), U, face, Florida, Duval County
Wasp (2), U, face, Florida, Duval County
Wasp (2), U, face, Florida, Duval County

Unknown Wasp, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida

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Wasp 3
Wasp 3
Wasp 3

A very small micro spider from Prince George's County Maryland, which presumably gathers very small spiders for its nests. Apparently, these little spider wasps are very difficult to identify., but quite beautiful in their powdery grayness. Photograph by Sierra Williams and Photshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

A very small micro spider from Prince George's County Maryland, which presumably gathers very small spiders for its nests. Apparently, these little spider wasps are very difficult to identify., but quite beautiful in their powdery grayness. Photograph by Sierra Williams and Photshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

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Wasp 3, U, Maryland, back
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, back
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, back

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

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Wasp 3, U, Maryland, face
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, face
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, face

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

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Wasp 3, U, Maryland, side
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, side
Wasp 3, U, Maryland, side

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

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Wasp 3, U, side, Wyoming, Park County
Wasp 3, U, side, Wyoming, Park County
Wasp 3, U, side, Wyoming, Park County

Unknown Chalcidoidea Wasp species from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

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Wasp 4, face
Wasp 4, face
Wasp 4, face

Unknown Aculeate Wasp, Prince George's County Maryland

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Wasp species, U, back, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, back, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, back, Dominican Republic, La Ve

Unknown species of wasp from the Dominican Republicpossibly a Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae, Psenini wasp?

Unknown species of wasp from the Dominican Republicpossibly a Crabronidae, Pemphredoninae, Psenini wasp?

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Wasp species, U, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, face, Dominican Republic, La Ve

An unknown species of Wasp from the Dominican Republic, collected on a trip I took a couple of years ago. Photo by Kamren Jefferson, Photoshopping by Dejen Mengis. 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.

An unknown species of Wasp from the Dominican Republic, collected on a trip I took a couple of years ago. Photo by Kamren Jefferson, Photoshopping by Dejen Mengis. 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.

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Wasp species, U, face2, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, face2, Dominican Republic, La Ve
Wasp species, U, face2, Dominican Republic, La Ve

An unknown species of Wasp from the Dominican Republic, collected on a trip I took a couple of years ago. Photo by Kamren Jefferson, Photoshopping by Dejen Mengis. 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.

An unknown species of Wasp from the Dominican Republic, collected on a trip I took a couple of years ago. Photo by Kamren Jefferson, Photoshopping by Dejen Mengis. 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.

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Wasp Unknown, U, face, Hardy Co., West Virginia
Wasp Unknown, U, face, Hardy Co., West Virginia
Wasp Unknown, U, face, Hardy Co., West Virginia

Unknown Wasp species from Hardy County, West Virginia...likely an Ichneumonid. Photograph by Wayne Boo.

Unknown Wasp species from Hardy County, West Virginia...likely an Ichneumonid. Photograph by Wayne Boo.

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Wasp, F, Back, Cecil County, MD
Wasp, F, Back, Cecil County, MD
Wasp, F, Back, Cecil County, MD

Unknown wasp, collected in Cecil County, Maryland by Tim McMahon Doug Yanega identified this as nyssonine, likely to be ZanyssonCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Unknown wasp, collected in Cecil County, Maryland by Tim McMahon Doug Yanega identified this as nyssonine, likely to be ZanyssonCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

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Wasp, F, Face, Cecil County, MD
Wasp, F, Face, Cecil County, MD
Wasp, F, Face, Cecil County, MD

Unknown wasp, collected in Cecil County, Maryland by Tim McMahon Doug Yanega identified this as nyssonine, likely to be ZanyssonCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Unknown wasp, collected in Cecil County, Maryland by Tim McMahon Doug Yanega identified this as nyssonine, likely to be ZanyssonCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

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Wasp, F, face, Utah, Garfield County
Wasp, F, face, Utah, Garfield County
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Wasp, F, side, Utah, Garfield County
Wasp, F, side, Utah, Garfield County
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Wasp, Face, Hardy CO, WV
Wasp, Face, Hardy CO, WV
Wasp, Face, Hardy CO, WV

Another specimen of the ichneumonid was shown earlier...lovely patterns of proportions of face and antennae. Photo taken by Colby Francoeur.Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

Another specimen of the ichneumonid was shown earlier...lovely patterns of proportions of face and antennae. Photo taken by Colby Francoeur.Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200, link to a .pdf of our set up is located in our profile

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Wasp, m, back, Kruger National Park, South Africa Mpumalanga
Wasp, m, back, Kruger National Park, South Africa Mpumalanga
Wasp, m, back, Kruger National Park, South Africa Mpumalanga

Fun wasp from Kruger National Park. Note the expanded antennal ends (actually the other antennae snapped off). Most likely this is one of the pollen gathering wasps in Masserinae group. So, you thought only bees in the stinging category of insects gathered pollen. Nope. However, in North America, these wasps mostly, if not entirely show up only in the West.

Fun wasp from Kruger National Park. Note the expanded antennal ends (actually the other antennae snapped off). Most likely this is one of the pollen gathering wasps in Masserinae group. So, you thought only bees in the stinging category of insects gathered pollen. Nope. However, in North America, these wasps mostly, if not entirely show up only in the West.