Image Copyright 2001, David L. Green Unauthorized use prohibited
September 26, 2001 Rhems, South Carolina USA
Megachilid on Blue Mistflower
"Jelly Belly"
Her scopa (the bristles on her belly) is jammed with white aster pollen. This bee is extremely hard to photograph, as she quickly sweeps thru the flowers like a little vacuum cleaner, to suck up the pollen to her electrostatically charged body. She'll haul the pollen back to her nest to leave for high-protein feed for her babies. After running throught the asters for awhile, she'll make a nectar stop on nearby wingstem (Verbesina alternifolia) or coneflowers (Rudbeckia mollis).
Image Copyright 2001, David L. Green Unauthorized use prohibited
September 26, 2001 Rhems, South Carolina USA