Images

Vespa crabro - The European Hornet...this one is actually in Europe, Denmark to be exact, where the nature artist, Anne Post's mother found this one dead in her garden. While somewhat beat up, it retains its essence as a well put together as a predator. Photograph by Ashleigh Jacobs or Hannah Sutton.

Part of the spring flush of woodland blooming shrubs. Bees do visit this group, but in my neck of the woods in the Mid-Atlantic there is not much to see despite the massive bloom in terms of visitors. Some much energy to make all that bloom...the plants can be covered...but so few pollinators...what's up with that? Specimen and pictures by Helen Low Metzman.

Black Haw - A lovely name for a plant or and estate. A native medicinal plant, here with its buds coming out in the spring. Plant collected in Howard County, Maryland by Helen Lowe Metzman and she did the photography as well.

Part of the spring flush of woodland blooming shrubs. Bees do visit this group, but in my neck of the woods in the Mid-Atlantic there is not much to see despite the massive bloom in terms of visitors. Some much energy to make all that bloom...the plants can be covered...but so few pollinators...what's up with that? Specimen and pictures by Helen Low Metzman.

Part of the spring flush of woodland blooming shrubs. Bees do visit this group, but in my neck of the woods in the Mid-Atlantic there is not much to see despite the massive bloom in terms of visitors. Some much energy to make all that bloom...the plants can be covered...but so few pollinators...what's up with that? Specimen and pictures by Helen Low Metzman.

Seed head of a woodland violet. Tiny, fluffy, and mysteriously hairy. Found in the swampy woods behind my house today, Upper Marlboro, Maryland...

Seed head of a woodland violet. Tiny, fluffy, and mysteriously hairy. Found in the swampy woods behind my house today, Upper Marlboro, Maryland...

Here is the Common Blue Violet. State Agriculture Bulletins talk about "Controlling" this tough beauty. Native, rugged individualist, creator of ground cover with its own distinct specialist bee (Andrena viola) in its own genus. What's not to like here? Oh, that's right the, I forgot about the existence of lawn privilege ...

Here is the Common Blue Violet. State Agriculture Bulletins talk about "Controlling" this tough beauty. Native, rugged individualist, creator of ground cover with its own distinct specialist bee (Andrena viola) in its own genus. What's not to like here? Oh, that's right the, I forgot about the existence of lawn privilege ...

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

Vitis...grapes, one of the wild species in Maryland. Species unknown at this time. Note that bees have little interest in grapes, most, if not all, grapes are self-fertilized so one rarely sees bee visitors here. Picture and specimen by Helen Lowe Metzman in Howard County, Maryland.

One of the many forms that Megachile (leaf cutting bees) come in. this lovely all black species with the white crew cut comes from Chile. From the Packer Lab. A small very black bee with an extremely wide head.Note the lobe projecting from the "cheek" back towards the thorax.

Unknown Chalcidoidea Wasp, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida

Unknown Wasp, Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve, Florida

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

I believe this to be a wasp in the Genus Ectemnius, but I don't know for sure as I just am not a wasp expert. This one was collected in the Neck District of Talbot County Maryland a few weeks ago. Photo by Wayne Boo.

Unknown Chalcidoidea Wasp species from Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

A very small micro spider from Prince George's County Maryland, which presumably gathers very small spiders for its nests. Apparently, these little spider wasps are very difficult to identify., but quite beautiful in their powdery grayness. Photograph by Sierra Williams and Photshopping by Elizabeth Garcia.

Unknown Aculeate Wasp, Prince George's County Maryland