Images

Two different specimens of Andrena geranii. A northernish species that appears to be a specialist on ....geraniums. Notable is the slight blue metallic sheen to the body. Aaman Dengis and Brooke Alexander took the pictures.

Another odd ball Andrena from the Channel Islands. This one is A. gnaphalli, collected as part of a larger study of bees in climatically vulnerable National Parks. An apparent Asteraceaea specialist with some glints of green and red instead of the normal black integument.

Not the best lighting, but this is Andrena gnaphalii....a interesting Andrena with a green tinge. From the Channel Islands off the coast of California. Photo by Anders Croft.

Another odd ball Andrena from the Channel Islands. This one is A. gnaphalli, collected as part of a larger study of bees in climatically vulnerable National Parks. An apparent Asteraceaea specialist with some glints of green and red instead of the normal black integument.

Not the best lighting, but this is Andrena gnaphalii....a interesting Andrena with a green tinge. From the Channel Islands off the coast of California. Photo by Anders Croft.

Another odd ball Andrena from the Channel Islands. This one is A. gnaphalli, collected as part of a larger study of bees in climatically vulnerable National Parks. An apparent Asteraceaea specialist with some glints of green and red instead of the normal black integument.

Not the best lighting, but this is Andrena gnaphalii....a interesting Andrena with a green tinge. From the Channel Islands off the coast of California. Photo by Anders Croft.

Another odd ball Andrena from the Channel Islands. This one is A. gnaphalli, collected as part of a larger study of bees in climatically vulnerable National Parks. An apparent Asteraceaea specialist with some glints of green and red instead of the normal black integument.

Is the scientific name implies (helianthus = sunflowers), Andrena helianthi is a sunflower specialist. Not just the annual sunflower, commonly now raised to produce sunflower seed and sunflower oil, but also the many species of perennials and flowers, which are well deserving of spots in our gardens.

Is the scientific name implies (helianthus = sunflowers), Andrena helianthi is a sunflower specialist. Not just the annual sunflower, commonly now raised to produce sunflower seed and sunflower oil, but also the many species of perennials and flowers, which are well deserving of spots in our gardens.

Is the scientific name implies (helianthus = sunflowers), Andrena helianthi is a sunflower specialist. Not just the annual sunflower, commonly now raised to produce sunflower seed and sunflower oil, but also the many species of perennials and flowers, which are well deserving of spots in our gardens.

Sunflowers. Specifically, the genus Helianthus to separate out the other "sunflower" plants. Only found in North America. So tall and glorious that we have adopted many for our gardens. Thrusting skyward they telegraph their supply of pollen and nectar to the bees that only feed their young pollen of Sunflower. Here is one of them. The appropriately named A.

Sunflowers. Specifically, the genus Helianthus to separate out the other "sunflower" plants. Only found in North America. So tall and glorious that we have adopted many for our gardens. Thrusting skyward they telegraph their supply of pollen and nectar to the bees that only feed their young pollen of Sunflower. Here is one of them. The appropriately named A.

Sunflowers. Specifically, the genus Helianthus to separate out the other "sunflower" plants. Only found in North America. So tall and glorious that we have adopted many for our gardens. Thrusting skyward they telegraph their supply of pollen and nectar to the bees that only feed their young pollen of Sunflower. Here is one of them. The appropriately named A.

Echinacea. This medicinal plant is widely planted and tinkered with by gardeners and breeders. But, it really is a prairie species and when in its habitat, like the Badlands, big bees like to forage on it. Hey, look, here's one in this picture! Andrena helianthiformis. I suppose this means "looks like A. helianthus, but...is not" in Latin.

Echinacea. This medicinal plant is widely planted and tinkered with by gardeners and breeders. But, it really is a prairie species and when in its habitat, like the Badlands, big bees like to forage on it. Hey, look, here's one in this picture! Andrena helianthiformis. I suppose this means "looks like A. helianthus, but...is not" in Latin.

Echinacea. This medicinal plant is widely planted and tinkered with by gardeners and breeders. But, it really is a prairie species and when in its habitat, like the Badlands, big bees like to forage on it. Hey, look, here's one in this picture! Andrena helianthiformis. I suppose this means "looks like A. helianthus, but...is not" in Latin.

This large Andrena of the prairies is a specialist bee on Sunflowers as one can see from the name. Captured in Badlands National Park and Photograph Taken by Aaman MengisCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

This large Andrena of the prairies is a specialist bee on Sunflowers as one can see from the name. Captured in Badlands National Park and Photograph Taken by Aaman MengisCanon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

Another uncommon Andrena bee in the subgenus Trachandrena, this one seems to favor wooded areas. Formerly little known in the state, it is now recorded in 11 counties. Photography by Hannah Sutton.

Another uncommon Andrena bee in the subgenus Trachandrena, this one seems to favor wooded areas. Formerly little known in the state, it is now recorded in 11 counties. Photography by Hannah Sutton.