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Favourite Invert - _TNY_4168

The European wool carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) is quite possibly my favourite bug of all. Not only are they cute as a button and have amazing spotted eyes. They also have a very interesting behaviour which among other things have led to the male (like this one) being larger than the female - something very rare in bees.

 

This one is in the center of his turf on the flower of a house leek (Sempervivum tectorum).

 

This bee is native to Europe and northern Africa and was accidentally introduced to North America some time in the mid 20th century on the U.S. east coast and is considered an invasive species.

 

If you want to see more shots of this species, I have a whole album (currently at 30 photos, but I have many unposted at the time I'm writing this so that number will grow) here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/albums/72157667862870066

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Uploaded on July 26, 2021
Taken on July 26, 2021