The Bees Know

Cuckoo Wasp, Chrysura sp.

April 27, 2023

(Don't mind the noise, my other dog was breathing down my neck the whole time)

So naturally I took the bee inside and gave it a drop of honey to recover. It's wing looked a little messed up and that had me worried, but it turned out that it was just dog saliva. The bee drank some honey from my finger and cleaned itself. I think this is a natural instinct, because this ensures pollination. I then took the baby outside and placed it on the tree next to which I found it. It flew away (whew, so it CAN fly) before I could take a picture. (I obsessively take pictures of bugs) I thought I would never see it again but as I walked away it flew two circles around me! (I thought I would get stung so I kinda shat myself but I'm alright! I'm mildly allergic to wasps and bees, nothing hospital worthy but i usually swell up for like 2 weeks.)

Moth Of The day #21

Death's-head Hawk-moth

Acherontia atropos, acherontia styx, acherontia lachesis

The death's-head hawk-moth refers to any of three moth species in the Acherontia genus. These are the African death's-head (A. atropos), the lesser death's head (A. styx) and the greater death's-head (A. lachesis). They belong to the sphingidae family.

They have a wingspan of about 13cm, which equals 5 inches. They are most commonly found in gardens. The A. atropos is found throughout Europe and Africa, meanwhile A. styx and A. lachesis are found in Asia. The use of the common name usually refers to A. atropos.

Complex Nomada luteola, possibly Imbricate Cuckoo Nomad Bee (Nomada imbricata)

April 12, 2023

Honeybee 🐝✨

Washi Tape

Bees in clover. Following the bee line. 1931.