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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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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, actual female, back

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, back

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, male, close up scale,

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, an endangered lupine eater, This one from Indiana, while the specimen is not in great shape, at full resolution the scales and micro patterns are still beautiful

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face 1, U

The Endangered Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, looking somewhat like a little fluffy kitten, poodle insect thing

The Endangered Karner Blue, Lycaeides melissa samuelis, looking somewhat like a little fluffy kitten, poodle insect thing

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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Face, U
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Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Side, U
Lycaeides melissa samuelis, U, M, Side, U
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M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, face, Moore County, NC

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

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M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC
M integrella, F, side, Moore County, NC

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

One of the rarely seen leafcutting bees, this one is Megachile integrella from the sandhills of North Carolina collected by Heather Campbell and photoed by Amber Reese

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Macronia sp., side, MD, Montgomery County
Macronia sp., side, MD, Montgomery County
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Macronomia
Macronomia
Macronomia

A series of pictures from Silas Bossert from the National Collection at the Smithsonian. They use their own hi res camera equipment, but prefer a light background. Macronomia crocodilensis. A nomiin bee that used to lounge around in the Lipotriches genus but has recently been separated out.

A series of pictures from Silas Bossert from the National Collection at the Smithsonian. They use their own hi res camera equipment, but prefer a light background. Macronomia crocodilensis. A nomiin bee that used to lounge around in the Lipotriches genus but has recently been separated out.

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Macropis ciliata, back, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, back, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, back, f, nh, veit, powerline

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

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Macropis ciliata, F, Back, MD, Washingtgon County
Macropis ciliata, F, Back, MD, Washingtgon County
Macropis ciliata, F, Back, MD, Washingtgon County

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

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Macropis ciliata, F, Face, MD, Washingtgon County
Macropis ciliata, F, Face, MD, Washingtgon County
Macropis ciliata, F, Face, MD, Washingtgon County

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

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Macropis ciliata, F, Side, MD, Washington County
Macropis ciliata, F, Side, MD, Washington County
Macropis ciliata, F, Side, MD, Washington County

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

Macropis ciliata - Possibly the first record for this species in about 100 years. This genus has grown very uncommon and I finally found a specimen along a rocky powerline in Washington County in a small patch of whorled loosestrife a few days ago.

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Macropis ciliata, head, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, head, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, head, f, nh, veit, powerline

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

close up of image
Macropis ciliata, head, m, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, head, m, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, head, m, nh, veit, powerline

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

close up of image
Macropis ciliata, side, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, side, f, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, side, f, nh, veit, powerline

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

close up of image
Macropis ciliata, side, m, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, side, m, nh, veit, powerline
Macropis ciliata, side, m, nh, veit, powerline

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

A set of male and female Macropis ciliata from NH, collected by Michael Veit on transmission lines...part of a David Wagner study of bees and transmission. This bee is special. Not as common as it once was and a specialist on Lysimachia natives. These plants produce oils that the Macropis add to their pollen balls for their babies. No Lysimachia...no Macropis.

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macropis europea, f, austria, face
macropis europea, f, austria, face
macropis europea, f, austria, face

Macropis europaea, European Oil Bee, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in AustriaSometimes an entire group of bees develops a relationship with one group of plants. The 16 little species of Macropis Oil Bees are such a case. They only seek pollen and oil from plants within the genus Lysimachia.

Macropis europaea, European Oil Bee, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in AustriaSometimes an entire group of bees develops a relationship with one group of plants. The 16 little species of Macropis Oil Bees are such a case. They only seek pollen and oil from plants within the genus Lysimachia.

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macropis europea, f, austria, side
macropis europea, f, austria, side
macropis europea, f, austria, side

Macropis europaea, European Oil Bee, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in AustriaSometimes an entire group of bees develops a relationship with one group of plants. The 16 little species of Macropis Oil Bees are such a case. They only seek pollen and oil from plants within the genus Lysimachia.

Macropis europaea, European Oil Bee, specimen collected by Heinrich Friese in AustriaSometimes an entire group of bees develops a relationship with one group of plants. The 16 little species of Macropis Oil Bees are such a case. They only seek pollen and oil from plants within the genus Lysimachia.

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Macropis nuda, back, f, ma, veit powerline
Macropis nuda, back, f, ma, veit powerline
Macropis nuda, back, f, ma, veit powerline

Another Macropis from transmission lines from NH and MA. This species (M. nuda) is also a Lysimachia specialist and the female's bright white pollen carrying hairs and likely the hairs under the abdomen soak up oils which are used by the female to add to pollen to create the food for their young. Collected by Michael Veit and part of a study run by David Wagner.

Another Macropis from transmission lines from NH and MA. This species (M. nuda) is also a Lysimachia specialist and the female's bright white pollen carrying hairs and likely the hairs under the abdomen soak up oils which are used by the female to add to pollen to create the food for their young. Collected by Michael Veit and part of a study run by David Wagner.

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