Leafcutter Bee
This is a female Leafcutter Bee (Megachile sp.), and as you can see from her large mandibles she cuts leaves of vegetation to build nests. They make their nests in the ground and take the small clippings down the hole to line the interior. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreJagged Ambush Bug
The Jagged Ambush Bug (Phymata sp.) hides out on flowers, waiting for the opportune time to strike out and catch prey. These interesting looking insects can even mimic sounds to attract insect species to get a little too close them. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreCuckoo Bee
This Cuckoo Bee (Nomada sp, Ruficornis Group) is a very interesting subject. As you can see they have a very showy outward appearance, but come from a very basic lineage, thus why they have such a wasp-like appearance. While it is difficult to identify to species these Cuckoo Bees are fascinating to observe and around this time of year. They don’t collect pollen, but rather parasitize other bees, by laying their eggs in Mining Bee nests. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute...
Read MoreInternational Day for Biological Diversity
Sean saw a lot of great posts today about International Day for Biological Diversity and couldn’t help but put something together. He has been missing the tropics a lot lately, but can’t wait to see the biodiversity start to pick up in our area in the Northeast – and it’s happening now! Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Costa Rica and Panama for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural History.
Read MoreAndrena sp
This is an Andrena sp., most likely Andrena cornelli, a species associated with Azalea (Rhododendron) host plants. It is one of the many native pollinators that can be found in the Northeast right now. The diversity of native pollinators just in your own backyard is something incredible to see. We’re going to be showcasing some native pollinators that we have been finding out and about during our work. Photographed by RTPI Affiliate Sean Graesser for the Meet Your Neighbours global biodiversity project in Connecticut for the Roger Tory Peterson Institute of Natural...
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