The specimen is a male Agapostemon virescens captured in 2015. Look closely at the antennae – are those tiny mites or spots? The microscope is made by Keyence.
Archives
- December 2021
- June 2019
- May 2019
- October 2018
- September 2018
- May 2018
- February 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- June 2017
- March 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- June 2016
- March 2016
- November 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- December 2012
Blog Stats
- 44,348 hits
Brock Bee Lab 
Hi Miriam
Enjoying the close-ups of the beautiful male Agapostemon virescens. As a lay person I realize I don’t have access to all the visuals out there, but I have yet to see a pic of a female of this species. I understand her abdomen is black–is that solid black? Why do you suppose they are so seldom seen or at least so seldom photographed?
Hello Fran,
Interesting that you usually see pictures of males – I think I see females more often! They do have black abdomens, with yellowish strips of fur. Only males have yellow legs and faces. Towards the end of summer, you see more males than females because the males are flying around hunting for mates. Young females go into hibernation after mating so tend to disappear more quickly. However in late spring / early summer, you will only see females.
Cheers,
Miriam