Hymenoptera Collection (#3)

Army ants (Eciton sp. ) Costa Rica. February 2015
Army ants (Eciton sp.) Costa Rica. February 2015

Red wasp (Polistes carolina) in flight Lamar County, Texas, USA Controlled conditions. August

Hornet (Vespa crabro) close up of head

Honeybees (Apis mellifera) on honeycomb. Scotland, UK, May 2010

Ivy bee (Colletes hederae) new species to the UK in 2001. Male resting on Blackberry, Oxfordshire, England, UK, September

Ants (Formicidae) attacking newly emerged cicada (Cicadacae), Yasuni National Park, Ecuador. Highly commended in the Invertebrates Category of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards (WPOY)

Tree bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum) feeding from Chive (Allium schoenoprasum), Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. June

Mining bee (Andrena sp) flying to Giant harebell (Campanula latifolia), Pentwyn farm SSSI, Gwent Wildlife Trust Reserve, Monmouthshire Wales UK, July

Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) holding leaves together during nest building, Malaysian Borneo

Weaver ants (Oecophylla smaragdina) portrait, Sabah, Malaysian Borneo

Common wasp (Vespula vulgaris) flying to fuchsia flower, Banbridge, County Down, Northern Ireland

Leafcutter ant (Atta cephalotes) carrying pieces of leaves, Costa Rica

Ant mimicing spider in Sierra Madre National Park, Luzon, Philippines. September

Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium angustifolium) with bees in flight, Triglav National Park, Slovenia, August 2009

Parasitoid wasp (Ichneumonidae) carrying a large paralysed caterpillar to its nesting hole, The Peloponnese, Greece, May 2009

Field larkspur (Consolida regalis / Delphinium consolida) with Bumble bee flying by flower, Eastern Slovakia, Europe, June 2009

European Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) collecting pollen and nectar from Scentless Mayweed (Tripleurospermum inodorum). Perthshire, Scotland, July

Worker honey bee (Apis mellifera) feeding on nectar of Borage (Borago officinalis) flower in conservation margin at RSPBs Hope Farm, Cambridgeshire, UK. May

Wood ant (Formica rufa) Arne RSPB reserve, Dorset, England, UK, July. 2020VISION Book Plate

Buff-tailed bumble bee (Bombus terrestris) worker alighting on a Scorpionweed (Phacelia tancetifolia) flower in a conservation margin in order to feed, Hope Farm RSPB reserve, Cambridgeshire

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) beehives sited on edge of heathland for premium heather honey production, Suffolk, UK, August 2011

Close up of European dark bee (Apis mellifera mellifera - nigra race), feeding on ice plant flowers (Sedum spectabile), Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. September

European hornet (Vespa crabro) worker in flight, Surrey, England, August

Red-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) taking off from Cornflower (Centaurea cyanea) in Bishops Meadow, Farnham. Surrey, England, UK, July 2014. Digital composite

Honeybee (Apis meliffera) visiting flax flowers, (Linum usitatissimum), Monmouthshire Wales, UK, May

Early bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), visiting flax flowers, (Linum usitatissimum), Monmouthshire Wales, UK, May

European honey bee (Apis mellifera) flying to feed on Rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) Pentwyn farm SSSI, Gwent Wildlife Trust Reserve, Monmouthshire Wales UK, July

Buff tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) flying to Clover (Trifolium sp. ), Monmouthshire
Buff tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) flying to Clover (Trifolium sp.), Monmouthshire, Wales, UK, June

Red tailed bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius), visiting Clover (Trifolium) flower, Monmouthshire, Wales, UK. June

Spider hunting wasp (Pompilidae) Maliau Basin, Sabah, Borneo

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) worker feeding on Ox-eye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare). Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. July

Leaf cutter ant (Atta sp) female worker carrying leaf to nest, with a smaller minor ant riding. The minors job is to protect her sister from parasitic flies. Costa Rica, December

Leaf cutter ants (Atta sp) female worker ants carry pieces of fern leaves to nest, reflected in water, Costa Rica, December

Birch Sawfly (Cimbex femoratus) feeding on a leaf. August, UK

Bird of paradise (Strelitzia reginae) close up with Ant (Formicidae) Tenerife, Canary Islands

Ruby-tailed / Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis comparata) on Mexican daisy / Fleabane (Erigeron karvinskianus). Podere Montecucco, Orvieto, Italy. June

Poppy bee (Osmia papaveris) resting on Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) cutting piece of petal to use as nesting material, Bamberg, Germany. June

Poppy bee (Osmia papaveris) resting on piece of Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) petal, cut from the flower to line its nest

Western honeybee (Apis mellifera) pollinating Desert passionflower (Passiflora palmeri). Danzante Island, Loreto Bay National Park, Sea of Cortez, Mexico. May

Red legged spider wasp (Episyron rufipes) digging nesting tunnel in sand. Oxfordshire, England, UK. July

Pair of Red mason bees (Osmia bicornis) mating on wallflower in garden. Hertfordshire, England, UK. May. Focus Stacked

Ruby-tailed wasp (Chrysis ignita) curled up in defensive posture after being dragged from Silver leaf cutter bee (Megachile leachella) nest tunnel in sand dunes. Cornwall, England, UK. May

Fire ants (Solenopsis sp. ) swarm making a raft to float in water, Texas, USA. June
Fire ants (Solenopsis sp.) swarm making a raft to float in water, Texas, USA. June

Ants (Formicidae) crawling along cactus spines to escape floodwater, Texas, USA. June

Chalcid Parasitoid Wasp (Pteromalidae, probably Mesopolobus tibialis). 2mm in length, found moving over opening oak buds. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. April. Focus Stacked Image

Focus Stacked image of a Cuckoo Bee (Nomada goodeniana) roosting by clamping onto vegetation with its mandibles and hanging on for the night. Photographed just after dawn

Blue banded bee (Amegilla sp. ) roosting with early morning dew, Southern Bulgaria, June
Blue banded bee (Amegilla sp.) roosting with early morning dew, Southern Bulgaria, June

Chalcid parasitoid wasp (probably Mesopolobus tibialis), 2mm in length, moving over Oak (Quercus sp)
Chalcid parasitoid wasp (probably Mesopolobus tibialis), 2mm in length, moving over Oak (Quercus sp.) buds, Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. April. Focus Stacked Image

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"Hymenoptera: The Intricate World of Bees, Ants, and Orchids" Delve into the fascinating world of Hymenoptera, a diverse group of insects that includes honey bees (Apis mellifera), leaf cutter ants (Atta sp), and even orchids like Ophrys apifera. Let's start with the industrious honey bees. Apis mellifera is known for its intricate honeycomb structures and remarkable life cycle. From egg to larva to pupa, these tiny creatures undergo a transformation that culminates in their emergence as fully developed bees. Explore an expanded cross-section of their hive and marvel at the insets showcasing their diligent work. Moving on to internal anatomy, get a glimpse inside the body of a Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) through a detailed cross-section. Discover how every organ plays a crucial role in their survival and efficient functioning within the colony. Venturing into Costa Rica's lush landscapes, witness Leaf cutter ants (Atta sp) diligently carrying plant matter back to their nests. These tireless workers demonstrate incredible strength as they transport pieces of leaves across various terrains. Nature never ceases to amaze us with its mimicry; behold the enchanting Ophrys apifera or bee orchid. This beautiful flower has evolved over time to resemble female bees, attracting male counterparts for successful pollination. Zooming in closer, observe Leaf-cutter ants meticulously carrying sections of leaves in stunning detail captured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Their teamwork and resourcefulness are truly admirable. In Welder Wildlife Refuge at Sinton lies another captivating sight - Apis mellifera buzzing around wild honey cones. Witness this mesmerizing display as these European honey bees feed on ice plant flowers (Sedum spectabile), contributing to nature's delicate balance. A digital composite showcases an impressive line-up of Leaf-cutter ants marching in unison, carrying leaves to their colony.