Laura Russo collected these lovely squash bees (Peponapis pruinosa) near State College, Pennsylvania. Aptly named, this bee only feeds its young on the pollen of Cucurbita (pumpkins, squash, gourds and the like). This genus is native to the hemisphere....peaking in numbers in the Mexican highlands, but do not occur naturally in Pennsylvania (too cold).
Images
Laura Russo collected these lovely squash bees (Peponapis pruinosa) near State College, Pennsylvania. Aptly named, this bee only feeds its young on the pollen of Cucurbita (pumpkins, squash, gourds and the like). This genus is native to the hemisphere....peaking in numbers in the Mexican highlands, but do not occur naturally in Pennsylvania (too cold).
One the spider wasps that are often called Tarantula Hawks, many often display various shades of red in their wings, perhaps as a warning to birds as their sting is notoriously painful. This one was collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba and photographed by Aaman Mengis
One the spider wasps that are often called Tarantula Hawks, many often display various shades of red in their wings, perhaps as a warning to birds as their sting is notoriously painful. This one was collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba and photographed by Aaman Mengis
One the spider wasps that are often called Tarantula Hawks, many often display various shades of red in their wings, perhaps as a warning to birds as their sting is notoriously painful. This one was collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba and photographed by Aaman Mengis
One the spider wasps that are often called Tarantula Hawks, many often display various shades of red in their wings, perhaps as a warning to birds as their sting is notoriously painful. This one was collected on the Guantanamo Naval Base in Cuba and photographed by Aaman Mengis
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis. Someone has suggested that this one be called the Woolly Mammoth Spider Wasp
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis. Someone has suggested that this one be called the Woolly Mammoth Spider Wasp
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis
Pompilid Spider Wasp, Central Highlands High Elevation Domincan RepublicPepsis ruficornis
This is picture 5 from a 12 picture invited series by Matt Buffington (matt.buffington@usda.gov) at the USDA Parastitic Hymentoptera group using specimens from the U.S. Natural History Museum Smithsonian. Matt uses a system very similar to ours to photograph and stack this super tiny wasp.
This is picture 5 from a 12 picture invited series by Matt Buffington (matt.buffington@usda.gov) at the USDA Parastitic Hymentoptera group using specimens from the U.S. Natural History Museum Smithsonian. Matt uses a system very similar to ours to photograph and stack this super tiny wasp.
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, Perdita albihirta
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona, Perdita albihirta
Perdita albihirta geraeae, female, Petrified Forest National Park...note the lovely turned mandible
Perdita albihirta geraeae, female, Petrified Forest National Park...note the lovely turned mandible
Perdita albihirta geraeae, female, Petrified Forest National Park
Perdita albihirta geraeae, female, Petrified Forest National Park
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
Petrified Forest National Monument, AZ
petrified Forest national Park, Apache County, Arizona
petrified Forest national Park, Apache County, Arizona
petrified Forest national Park, Apache County, Arizona
petrified Forest national Park, Apache County, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Perdita asteris, Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida - only about 6mm in length, notice characteristic sharp bend in mandibles. Doug Inkley from National Wildlife Federation has given this one the common name Mr Miyagi.
Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida - only about 6mm in length, notice characteristic sharp bend in mandibles. Doug Inkley from National Wildlife Federation has given this one the common name Mr Miyagi.
Fort Mantanzas has more cool bees to share with use from a tiny coastal monument run by the park service along the upper coast of Florida. This time more junior bees in the genus Perdita. Photography by Sierra Williams, photoshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.
Fort Mantanzas has more cool bees to share with use from a tiny coastal monument run by the park service along the upper coast of Florida. This time more junior bees in the genus Perdita. Photography by Sierra Williams, photoshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.