#masonbees

Ah, now we have the start of a series of bee pictures from Slovakia from specimens given to us by Peter Šima (bee and, in particular, bumble bee expert) who did most of the determinations.   The Slovakian bee at hand was collected on the  Levee of the Nitra river (Nábrežná) by Nové Zámky.   This bee is a European counterpart of our Orchard Bee.  So counterparty is it that it was introduced into California to pollinate the Almond Orchard.  This was during the era of USDA bad idea bee introductions of which two are now pesty introduced species here to stay and the others (like this one) appear to have not taken.  The world is littered with these "what could go wrong?" introductions.  Photo by Cole Cheng.

I hope you learned something new today from my scientific illustration! Creating SciArt to educate others on Enviromental Science, Biology, Ecology, Zoology, and Entomology is my passion! Stay tuned for my next post on how you can create habitat for Mason Bees in your wildlife-friendly garden! 🐝💛

Orchard mason bee female at nest boards. ~~~~~~~~~~Osmia lignaria/USA, WA, Tenino/2018-04-30~~~~~~~~~#osmialignaria #beehotel #masonbees #bees #bugs #insects #macro #canonmacro #insects_of_our_world #mat_macro #kings_insects #found_on_flowers #macro_freaks #top_macro #macroclique #tgif_insects #macro_kings #photooftheday #beesofinstagram #pocket_insects #macro_brilliance #macro_perfection #top_macro #macro_highlight #macro_spotlight #electric_macro #igmw_macro

www.facebook.com/hydrostations

Did you know that mason bees are top pollinators? Find out all about these bees and their fascinating life cycle in Issue 36 of The Dirt on Organic Gardening Magazine. The Dirt on Organic Gardening Magazine is for urban organic gardeners everywhere. Like our feed? You'll love The Dirt! Subscriptions or single issues available on the App Store for iPad or iPhone. Single issues available from website. IG friends use link in bio, or go to www.TheDirtOnOrganicGardening.com. ... #digitalmagazineforipad #digitalmagazineforgardeners #urbanorganicgardening #organicgardening #groworganic #growfood #growyourown #urbangardening #homegrown #learntogrow #organicgardeningmethods #growfood #growsomethinggreen #groworganic #homegrown #growyourownfood #growtherevolution #TheDirtOnOrganicGardening #masonbees #pollinators

Mason bees. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ #masonbees #pollinators #macroworld_tr #macroexperience #show_us_macro #pocket_insects #insects_of_our_world #insectsofinstagram #macro_perfection #canon #osmialignaria

As all the first orchard mason bee (Osmia lignaria) sightings of the seasons have gone, this had to be the strangest: my cat was staring intently at something on a window. Lo and behold, it was a mason bee – inside of my house! I coaxed it to crawl on my hand to take this shot before setting it free outdoors. For those a bit alarmed about holding bees, this is a male, so it cannot sting. #masonbees #show_us_macro #photoarena_nature #macroworld_tr #wildbees #pollinators #greenbee

Finally the bees are about again and my work commences. A bit of a shy bee, this newly emerged male orchard mason bee was peering out of its nest tube where it has spent the last 11 months and is seeing daylight for the first time. Moments later, liftoff, and he was on his way. #insects_of_our_world #macroworld_tr #masonbees #pollinators #beesofinstagram #bee