Images

Stelis lateralis - A nest parasite of Osmia...often seemingly associated with O. pumila. This one was found in the New York City area in Gateway National Recreation Area. Photographed by Kamren Jefferson and photo shopped by Elizabeth Garcia.

Stelis lateralis - A nest parasite of Osmia...often seemingly associated with O. pumila. This one was found in the New York City area in Gateway National Recreation Area. Photographed by Kamren Jefferson and photo shopped by Elizabeth Garcia.

From Gateway National Recreation Area, is a little tiny parasitic be that Pearson sizes things like Osmia pumila. About 20 percent of all bees are nest parasites, Must be a fairly successful strategy. Photography by Kamren Jefferson and photo shopping by Dejen Mengus.

Stelis louisae, Prince George's county Maryland

Stelis louisae, Prince George's county Maryland

Stelis louisae, Prince George's county Maryland

A nest parasite of Megachile...probably of M. campanulae or M. exilis...this bee was collected at Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in the marshlands of Dorchester County, Maryland. Photograph by Claire Mudd.

Some of the Stelis groups of bees are very colorful. This is true of S. louisae....a nest parasite of Megachile campanulae and clan. This male was collected on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in the mostly marsh county of Dorchester. Photograph by Claire Mudd.

Some of the Stelis groups of bees are very colorful. This is true of S. louisae....a nest parasite of Megachile campanulae and clan. This male was collected on Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in the mostly marsh county of Dorchester. Photograph by Claire Mudd.

Three pictures of Stelis nasuta from the Grecian Islands, collected by Jelle Devalez who has the honor of studying and interpreting for us all the bee faunaof these islands. How nice for us all. The species lays its eggs in the nest of the Osmia species that we have illustrated previously. Just doing its job, nothing personal.

Three pictures of Stelis nasuta from the Grecian Islands, collected by Jelle Devalez who has the honor of studying and interpreting for us all the bee faunaof these islands. How nice for us all. The species lays its eggs in the nest of the Osmia species that we have illustrated previously. Just doing its job, nothing personal.

Three pictures of Stelis nasuta from the Grecian Islands, collected by Jelle Devalez who has the honor of studying and interpreting for us all the bee faunaof these islands. How nice for us all. The species lays its eggs in the nest of the Osmia species that we have illustrated previously. Just doing its job, nothing personal.

A new species record for Maryland collected by Richard Orr in the Catoctin Mountains. We will be looking into it over the next few weeks.

The mysterious Stelis nitida. Dark, broody, enters the nests of other bees, lays its eggs, and then the hosts young mysteriously die with all their food eaten. This one from Isle Royale National Park. An island more like Canada than the U.S. in its bee fauna. Photo by Sara Guerierri.

The mysterious Stelis nitida. Dark, broody, enters the nests of other bees, lays its eggs, and then the hosts young mysteriously die with all their food eaten. This one from Isle Royale National Park. An island more like Canada than the U.S. in its bee fauna. Photo by Sara Guerierri.

The mysterious Stelis nitida. Dark, broody, enters the nests of other bees, lays its eggs, and then the hosts young mysteriously die with all their food eaten. This one from Isle Royale National Park. An island more like Canada than the U.S. in its bee fauna. Photo by Sara Guerierri.

a new species record for Maryland collected by Richard Orr in the Catoctin Mountains. We will be looking into it over the next few weeks.

a new species record for Maryland collected by Richard Orr in the Catoctin Mountains. We will be looking into it over the next few weeks.

Woof. Not great pictures of a bit of beat up bee, but it is a rare bee and I think the only one I have ever gotten. In this case these came from Shelby Wilson who did surveys of bees on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. A very cool place. Very canadian in bee aspect.

Stelis subemarginata - An uncommon nest parasite of the genus Osmia. This one from Maine, where lots of Osmia hang out. Photo by Brooke Alexander.

Woof. Not great pictures of a bit of beat up bee, but it is a rare bee and I think the only one I have ever gotten. In this case these came from Shelby Wilson who did surveys of bees on Isle Royale in Lake Superior. A very cool place. Very canadian in bee aspect.