Armed Bee - _TNY_3297
The European carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) is special for several reasons - but this is the first shot I've managed which shows this particular feature.
Males like this one set up a territory around plants with hairs (like this house leek (Sempervivum tectorum)) and when the females stop by he mate with them. Any and all other visitors are forcibly chased away - and he is well armed to do so.
Bee stingers are actually modified ovipositors (ie egg-laying equipment) so the only bees that can sting are females. These males, however, have evolved five spikes on the rear end of the abdomen (one in the middle and two more on each side) which they use to fight off intruders.
I actually saw one of these completely destroy one of the wings of a poor little mining bee that thought the flower smelled nicely. I saw the mining bee crawl away over the lawn, doomed to an early death when unable to fly.
For an album with around 40 shots of these fascinating bees, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/albums/72157667862870066
Armed Bee - _TNY_3297
The European carder bee (Anthidium manicatum) is special for several reasons - but this is the first shot I've managed which shows this particular feature.
Males like this one set up a territory around plants with hairs (like this house leek (Sempervivum tectorum)) and when the females stop by he mate with them. Any and all other visitors are forcibly chased away - and he is well armed to do so.
Bee stingers are actually modified ovipositors (ie egg-laying equipment) so the only bees that can sting are females. These males, however, have evolved five spikes on the rear end of the abdomen (one in the middle and two more on each side) which they use to fight off intruders.
I actually saw one of these completely destroy one of the wings of a poor little mining bee that thought the flower smelled nicely. I saw the mining bee crawl away over the lawn, doomed to an early death when unable to fly.
For an album with around 40 shots of these fascinating bees, have a look here: www.flickr.com/photos/tinyturtle/albums/72157667862870066