Apis mellifera, the European honey bee, on winter aconite. Photo: Tim Farmer
A circle of bees, showing size and shape differences
Colletes latitarsis, a specialist of wild tomatillo flowers (Physalis
spp.).
Augochlorella aurata (= Augochlorella striata), a
very common generalist pollinator
Eucera (=Peponapis) pruinosa, the squash bee. Male and female in a squash flower
Epeolus bifaciatus, a parasitic bee that lays eggs in the nest of
Colletes latitarsis
Ceratina calcarata/dupla, the "small carpenter bee."
Megachile rotundata (the alfalfa leafcutter bee) visiting alfalfa flowers
Svastra obliqua gathering sunflower pollen
Coelioxys sp., a parasitic bee that lays eggs in the nests of leafcutter bees
Bombus bimaculatus queen on lupine flowers
The leafcutter bee Megachile pugnata cutting an evening primrose leaf for its nest
Hylaeus sp., a 'yellow-faced bee,' on a blackberry flower
Augochloropsis metallica metallica perched on swamp milkweed
The wool carder bee Anthidium manicatum patrols foxglove and chases other bees away
Bombus fervidus approaching flowers of fringed bleeding hearts. Photo: Rosemary Malfi
Melissodes desponsa loads up with purple thistle pollen
The eastern carpenter bee, Xylocopa virginica visits a blackberry flower
Osmia bucephala taking flight after feeding from Baptisia.
Halictus ligatus perched on a dandelion
The common eastern bumble bee, Bombus impatiens in need of some pollen grooming. Note: about the only place lacking pollen is the corbiculum on the hind leg, the exact place where bumble bees carry pollen
Bombus bimaculatus sipping nectar from Geranium sanguineum.
A cleptoparasitic bee,Nomada sp. perched on a leaf
The brown belted bumble bee, Bombus griseocollis hovers in front of the flowers of yellowwood tree.