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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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Melissodes comptoides, m, side, Kent Co
Melissodes comptoides, m, side, Kent Co
Melissodes comptoides, m, side, Kent Co

Many Melissodes...and there are many look just about the same making them yet another difficult group to differentiate. Here is a common eastern one...a species that makes its way to the north of its near look alike. Picture taken by Ashleigh Jacobs, photshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Many Melissodes...and there are many look just about the same making them yet another difficult group to differentiate. Here is a common eastern one...a species that makes its way to the north of its near look alike. Picture taken by Ashleigh Jacobs, photshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

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Melissodes confusa, F, Back, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Back, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Back, UT, Garfield County

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

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Melissodes confusa, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Face, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Face, UT, Garfield County

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

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Melissodes confusa, F, Side, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Side, UT, Garfield County
Melissodes confusa, F, Side, UT, Garfield County

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

Bryce Canyon Utah...not only has awesome geological formations, but also has awesome bees such as Melissodes conrfusa...in fact the dry west has many more species inhabiting it than the moist and lush landscapes of eastern North America. Picture by Sue Boo. Melissodes confusa captured as part of a large National Park service project.

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Melissodes coreopsis, F, Face, WY, Park County
Melissodes coreopsis, F, Face, WY, Park County
Melissodes coreopsis, F, Face, WY, Park County

Yellowstone National Park, this Melissodes was found midst the open meadowlands of the park. One of many types of Melissodes a group that usually collects pollen from plants in the composite family. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

Yellowstone National Park, this Melissodes was found midst the open meadowlands of the park. One of many types of Melissodes a group that usually collects pollen from plants in the composite family. Photograph by Brooke Alexander.

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Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, Carroll Co., MD
Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, Carroll Co., MD
Melissodes denticulata, F, Back, 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.

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.

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Melissodes denticulata, F, Face, Carroll Co., MD
Melissodes denticulata, F, Face, Carroll Co., MD
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.

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.

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Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2
Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2
Melissodes denticulata, F, Side, Carroll Co., MD2

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.

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.

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Melissodes denticulata, m, back, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, back, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, back, Montgomery, MD

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

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Melissodes denticulata, m, face, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, face, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, face, Montgomery, MD

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

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Melissodes denticulata, m, right, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, right, Montgomery, MD
Melissodes denticulata, m, right, Montgomery, MD

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

Ironweed specialist. Well at least the female is a specialist in that she feeds here babies the bright white pollen of this group of plants. If you plant Ironweed in your garden Melissodes denticulatus will show up they are that common (ironweed is common too).

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Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes dentiventris, F, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, F, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes dentiventris, F, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel Co
Melissodes dentiventris, F, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel Co
Melissodes dentiventris, F, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel Co

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes dentiventris, M, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, back, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes dentiventris, M, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, face, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes dentiventris, M, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel County
Melissodes dentiventris, M, side, Maryland, Anne Arundel County

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

Melissodes dentiventris, male, an uncommon denizen of dry sandy areas, specializing on pollination of composites...particularly maryland goldenaster. Collected in Anne Arundel County Maryland

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Melissodes desponsa, f, back, Maine, Du Clos
Melissodes desponsa, f, back, Maine, Du Clos
Melissodes desponsa, f, back, Maine, Du Clos

Pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, on a Melissodes desponsa...a species usually associated with Thistles so this may well be thistle pollen. Note that while bees may carry loads of pollen on their legs...pollen usually gathers loosely all over the bee and this is thought to be the pollen that does much of the pollination on plants.

Pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, on a Melissodes desponsa...a species usually associated with Thistles so this may well be thistle pollen. Note that while bees may carry loads of pollen on their legs...pollen usually gathers loosely all over the bee and this is thought to be the pollen that does much of the pollination on plants.

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Melissodes desponsa, F, back, Virginia, Prince William County
Melissodes desponsa, F, back, Virginia, Prince William County
Melissodes desponsa, F, back, Virginia, Prince William County

Virginia, front Royal Smithsonian project collected in northwest Virginia.

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Melissodes desponsa, f, face, Maine, Du Clos
Melissodes desponsa, f, face, Maine, Du Clos
Melissodes desponsa, f, face, Maine, Du Clos

Pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, on a Melissodes desponsa...a species usually associated with Thistles so this may well be thistle pollen. Note that while bees may carry loads of pollen on their legs...pollen usually gathers loosely all over the bee and this is thought to be the pollen that does much of the pollination on plants.

Pollen, pollen, pollen, pollen, on a Melissodes desponsa...a species usually associated with Thistles so this may well be thistle pollen. Note that while bees may carry loads of pollen on their legs...pollen usually gathers loosely all over the bee and this is thought to be the pollen that does much of the pollination on plants.

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Melissodes desponsa, F, face, Virginia, Prince William County
Melissodes desponsa, F, face, Virginia, Prince William County
Melissodes desponsa, F, face, Virginia, Prince William County

Virginia, front Royal Smithsonian project collected in northwest Virginia.