Treading Yellow. White-footed Furrow Bee, Lasioglossum leucopus, on Tanacetum vulgare, Tansy, Océ-weerd, Meuse Corridor, Venlo, The Netherlands
In a short burst of Autumnal Light from a Sun low over the Meuse River, these White-footed Furrow Bees were seen foraging for the last of the nectar on Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare. Poisononous for cattle and humans alike, that flower provides nourishment to many insects.
Lots of wild bees are solitary, but this Lasioglossum is eusocial. I don't know how large its colonies might be, but studies say they may be as small as 4 or 5 bees. In any case, three of them are here, partaking of Sweetness.
Amazing 'tongues'... I'd have liked to also show you the labial palpi - amazing in themselves - but my photo wasn't clear enough for that so I inset one instead in which they're hidden by Yellow Flower. Some other time.
Treading Yellow. White-footed Furrow Bee, Lasioglossum leucopus, on Tanacetum vulgare, Tansy, Océ-weerd, Meuse Corridor, Venlo, The Netherlands
In a short burst of Autumnal Light from a Sun low over the Meuse River, these White-footed Furrow Bees were seen foraging for the last of the nectar on Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare. Poisononous for cattle and humans alike, that flower provides nourishment to many insects.
Lots of wild bees are solitary, but this Lasioglossum is eusocial. I don't know how large its colonies might be, but studies say they may be as small as 4 or 5 bees. In any case, three of them are here, partaking of Sweetness.
Amazing 'tongues'... I'd have liked to also show you the labial palpi - amazing in themselves - but my photo wasn't clear enough for that so I inset one instead in which they're hidden by Yellow Flower. Some other time.