Bees in Cactus Blossoms

[larryj]

I have fun during June and July each year watching bees emerging themselves into cactus blossom and coating their bodies with pollen!

 

[AlanLichty]

Interesting bees - my sources suggest this is an alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) originally from Europe but introduced to our side of the pond and has made itself at home. I have seen these in the Pacific NW but always thought they were a type of wasp.

Nice cacti flowers BTW

 

[JimFox]

That's a great collection Larry. It's the one time they stop enough to really capture.

 

[larryj]

Interesting bees - my sources suggest this is an alfalfa leafcutting bee (Megachile rotundata) originally from Europe but introduced to our side of the pond and has made itself at home. I have seen these in the Pacific NW but always thought they were a type of wasp.

Nice cacti flowers BTW
[/QUOTE/
Thanks Alan for the identification of the type of bees in these images. As you might have guessed I had no clue!

And thanks also for the comments on the flowers, appreciated!

 

[larryj]

That's a great collection Larry. It's the one time they stop enough to really capture.

Thank you Jim for your comments on the flowers and bees, appreciated!