Usually when I post Bug of the Week, I try to add a story to the photographs. This week I think the photographs tell it all.
Category: bees (Page 11 of 28)
Honey bees do different jobs as they get older. The young bees take care of the brood, and the older bees go out and forage or gather food.
In the fall, the foraging bees don’t look too bad.
They are still fuzzy and their wings are in good shape.
Now contrast that to some honey bees out foraging this week.
Can you see the dark patch on the back of the thorax? This bee has lost some of her hair.
The quality of this photo isn’t the best, but can you see how ragged the edges of this honey bee’s wings are?
These honey bees have been in the nest all winter, probably working hard to keep it warm. They are worn out.
Have you ever spotted a honey bee that was worse for wear?
Yesterday I was stalking my sunflower plants for insects to photograph, and all the critters seemed to be just out of range. Of course, it didn’t help it was hot outside and I had other things to do.
The checkered skipper was on the other side of the garden.
The leafcutter bee teased from afar.
Take a deep breath.
The checkered skipper came in for a closer view. Be patient.
The leafcutter bee finally perched nearby (uncropped image).
Patience is rewarded.
With a little cropping, we have our Bug of the Week.
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.