Images

Unknown species of Treehopper collected in the Dominican Republic and suspended in Hand Sanitizer for this shot. The HS allows us to float the specimen how we like, but the high refraction index of HS means we loose a lot of surface detail due to loss of reflectivity. On the other hand it often adds a smoothing and saturation effect to the photo.

One of the very common Flower Chafers....They often fake me out when collecting bees on flowers as they fly amazingly well.

One of the very common Flower Chafers....They often fake me out when collecting bees on flowers as they fly amazingly well.

Ah, look, another bee from another continent with long thin antennal segments that broaden in to form small lollipops at the ends, also note the fine hairs coming off of the thin segments. Unlike the Nomia from Africa this one hails from South America and in the family Apidae. As usual, not much is known of the biology of this group.

Trichodes ornatus, Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming

The Cabbage Looper. 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 rather dark and dangerous looking be from Chile. This is

A rather dark and dangerous looking be from Chile. This is Trichothurgus aterimma what many specimens from Laurence Packer's collection up in New York University, Ontario. 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.

This species nests in standing dead columnar cactus in South America. The genus as a whole lives along the western coast of South America. Interestingly one of the species has been found to nest in horse manure, which brings up the point of where did they nest before horses were introduced into South America. So many mysteries.

Note the lovely bee tools this species has, in the shape of expanded tibial spurs.This species nests in standing dead columnar cactus in South America. The genus as a whole lives along the western coast of South America.

Triepeolus concavus. Most Triepeolus bees are nest parasites of Melissodes, but a few interestingly have taken up with other groups of bees. This big one invades the nests of Svastra species...a group allied with Melissodes but a bit more robust and buff in their body. This one collected in Badlands National Park.

Triepeolus concavus. Most Triepeolus bees are nest parasites of Melissodes, but a few interestingly have taken up with other groups of bees. This big one invades the nests of Svastra species...a group allied with Melissodes but a bit more robust and buff in their body. This one collected in Badlands National Park.

Triepeolus concavus. Most Triepeolus bees are nest parasites of Melissodes, but a few interestingly have taken up with other groups of bees. This big one invades the nests of Svastra species...a group allied with Melissodes but a bit more robust and buff in their body. This one collected in Badlands National Park.

New species for the state of Maryland, this is Triepeolus concavus. As are all Triepeolus this one is a nest parasites. In this case, it's host is Svastra obliqua, an uncommon bee that loves large composites and is a good indication of high-quality habitat.

New species for the state of Maryland, this is Triepeolus concavus. As are all Triepeolus this one is a nest parasites. In this case, it's host is Svastra obliqua, an uncommon bee that loves large composites and is a good indication of high-quality habitat.

New species for the state of Maryland, this is Triepeolus concavus. As are all Triepeolus this one is a nest parasites. In this case, it's host is Svastra obliqua, an uncommon bee that loves large composites and is a good indication of high-quality habitat.

Triepeolus cressonii, a couple of additional shots of this new "state" record for Washington DC. The specimen was collected at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens along the Anacostia River by Chelsey Nordstrom, who also took the picture.

A new Washington DC record, Triepeolus cressonii, captured in the Kenilworth aquatic Gardens along the Anacostia River. A very urban landscape, but one that still retains quite a bit of original nature thanks to the work of the National Park Service maintains the property as well as adjacent areas along this quiet backwater.

Triepeolus cressonii, a couple of additional shots of this new "state" record for Washington DC. The specimen was collected at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens along the Anacostia River by Chelsey Nordstrom, who also took the picture.

A new Washington DC record, Triepeolus cressonii, captured in the Kenilworth aquatic Gardens along the Anacostia River. A very urban landscape, but one that still retains quite a bit of original nature thanks to the work of the National Park Service maintains the property as well as adjacent areas along this quiet backwater.

Triepeolus distinctus. This is the female of the male of the species that was posted a couple of weeks ago. Equally lovely. Both were found in an untended sand pit near my house. The key is untended as most sand pits not are filled with junk and the capped with clay and then planted with cool-season grasses and maybe some trees. The worst thing you could do.