Apoidea Collection (#3)

Pepsis sp. Tarantula hawk
Watercolour and ink from Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection; 1821 Date: 1821

Honeybee dance, diagram
Honeybee dance. Diagram showing a honeybee using its waggle dance to convey the location of food to the other honeybees surrounding it

Bee foot claws, SEM
Bee foot claws, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). These claws, on a bees fore legs, are used to comb pollen from the body and transfer it to the pollen baskets on the bees hind legs

Tachytes sp. Sand-loving wasp
Watercolour and ink from Drawings of Mandibulata Insects of India, Thomas Hardwicke Collection; 1821 Date: 1821

Honey Bees (Apoidea) crawling over bee hive, close up

Bee (Apoidea), close-up, side view

Overhead of bee

Honeybee dance, artwork C013 / 5936
Honeybee dance. Computer artwork showing a honeybee (top) using its waggle dance to convey the location of food to other honeybees surrounding it

Solitary bee collecting pollen C016 / 4725
Solitary bee collecting pollen. Close-up of a solitary bee (superfamily Apoidea) collecting pollen from a rough poppy (Papaver hybridum) flower. Photographed in the UK

Solitary bee collecting pollen C016 / 4718
Solitary bee collecting pollen. Close-up of a solitary bee (superfamily Apoidea) collecting pollen from a dog-rose (Rosa canina). Photographed in the UK

Honeybee leg. Light micrograph of the hind leg of a honeybee (Apis mellifera). The tibia and first tarsal segment of the leg (large segments)

Bee hairs, SEM
Bee hairs. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of hairs on the leg of a honey bee (Apis mellifera). These hairs trap pollen grains (small round objects)

Augochlora sweat bee (Augochlora pura). The sweat bees are so-called because they are often attracted to perspiration. This specimen is from Brazil

Head of a bee, SEM
Head of a bee, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The bees compound eyes (one at upper left, red), one antenna (pointing downwards to left of eye), some of the mouthparts (below eye)

Bee pollen basket, SEM
Bee pollen basket, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The pollen basket (called the corbicula) is found on a bees hind legs

Bee antenna, SEM
Bee antenna, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Smell and touch are important senses for bees, especially when in their hive or nest

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Apoidea, also known as bees, are fascinating creatures that play a crucial role in our ecosystem. From the European honey bee feeding on ice plant flowers to the garden bumblebee queen nectaring on comfrey, these buzzing insects are constantly on the move, pollinating and collecting nectar. In Mexico's Loreto Bay National Park, a Western honeybee can be seen diligently pollinating desert passionflower. The vibrant colors of Danzante Island serve as a backdrop for this beautiful interaction between bee and flower. Meanwhile, in England's countryside, a garden bumblebee takes off from knapweed with grace and agility. These industrious bees work tirelessly to gather pollen and ensure the survival of their colonies. High up in Mount Namjagbarwa lies an incredible sight - Himalayan honeybees busy at work on their comb. This breathtaking image showcases nature's wonders at its finest. A composite image captures Wallaceas giant bee alongside its smaller counterpart, the European honey bee. Together they represent different species working together towards a common goal - sustaining life through pollination. Zooming in closer to Norfolk, England reveals a close-up view of a honey bee comb filled with larvae nestled snugly within cells, and is here where new generations of bees are nurtured and prepared for their vital roles within the hive. The garden bumblebee gracefully flies towards foxglove flowers while seeking nourishment. Its delicate wings carry it effortlessly from one bloom to another as it collects precious nectar along the way. Another scene unfolds in Monmouthshire as a honeybee hovers above bluebell flowers before landing delicately upon them. This symbiotic relationship between insect and flora ensures both thrive harmoniously within their shared environment. Not far away, we witness a field cuckoo bumblebee feasting upon goldenrod blooms. These resourceful creatures have evolved unique strategies to survive by infiltrating other bumblebee nests and laying their eggs, relying on the host colony to raise their young.