Lower Moor Farm NR, Wiltshire, U.K.

Family : Andrenidae
SubFamily : Andreninae
Species : Andrena cineraria

A fairly widespread insect that is distributed throughout much of Europe, parts of the Near East, Russia, and China. This bee has a single flight period from April to June coinciding with the flowering period of fruit trees, mainly Cherry, Apple, and Pear, and is an important pollinator. It is a small insect with a length up to 15mm. The male usually emerges before the female. Habitat is gardens, orchards, parks, meadows, and on the edge of agricultural land.
After mating the male dies and the female starts to build her nest. It is a solitary bee and makes its nest in a simple ground burrow with several brood cells branching off it. The female fills the brood cells with a mixture of pollen and nectar, and lays a single egg in each cell. The larvae hatch within a few days, growing quickly and pupating within a few weeks. The adults emerge the following spring after hibernation.


All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects.

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Tags:   bee abeja Biene ape abeille пчела 蜜蜂 con ong méh 벌 animal outdoor insect Hymenoptera macro nature Andrenidae Andrena cineraria Grey Mining Bee Andreninae wildlife Lower Moor Farm Wiltshire live insects UK

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Lamnamkok N.P., Chiang Rai, Thailand

Order : Hymenoptera
Family : Apidae
Sub-Family : Apinae
Genus : Apis
Species : Apis dorsata

These are very much larger than the honey bees we see in Europe. They are reportedly very aggressive towards anything or anyone that they consider a threat and can deliver a very painful sting. However, although I see them quite a lot in Thailand I have never had a problem with them.

If you are interested to see more of my pics or to learn more about the insects themselves please visit my website where new material is being added all the time -
bugs-alive.blogspot.com

All my insect pics are single, handheld macro shots of live insects in wild situations.

Tags:   butterfly mariposa papillon farfalla Schmetterling 蝴蝶 бабочка Con bướm ผีเสื้อ animal outdoor insects insect Hymenoptera macro nature Apidae Apis dorsata Giant Honey Bee Apinae wildlife Lamnamkok NP Chiang Rai live insects Thailand BugsAlive

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Stratton Wood, Swindon, UK

Order : Hymenoptera
Family : Apidae
Subfamily : Apinae
Species : Bombus lucorum

Tags:   bees insects macro hymenoptera UK nature wildlife Wiltshire Bombus lucorum White-tailed bumblebee

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Stratton Wood, Swindon, U.K.

Family: Apidae
Subfamily: Apinae
Species : Bombus pascuorum

Tags:   bees hymenoptera insects macro nature wildlife Wiltshire UK National Geographic Wildlife Bombus pascuorum Common Carder Bee

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Stratton Wood, Swindon, Wiltshire, U.K.

Family : Apidae
Subfamily : Apinae
Species : Bombus pascuorum

This beautiful bumblebee is widely distributed throughout Europe, except the most northerly parts, across temperate Asia, and as far as China. It is not present in the warmer, southern parts, of Asia. It is found in a wide range of habitats, basically almost anywhere that has sufficient pollen and nectar sources to support the colony. Nests are created above ground in open grassland, in accumulations of plant litter, and under hedgerows, but sometimes also just below ground level in old mammal burrows.
The body length of queens range from 15-18 mm in length. The body length of female workers range from 9-15 mm in length while the body length of males range from 12-14 mm in length. Bombus pascuorum is polyectic which means that it feeds on a variety of wild flowers, including nettles (Urticaceae) , thistle, knapweed (Asteraceae) , vetches, red and white clover (Fabaceae) , fruit trees, etc.

All my insect pics are single, handheld shots of live insects in wild situations.

Thanks to everyone who continue to view, comment, and fav my pics. It really is very much appreciated.

Tags:   bee bees bumblebee animal outdoor insects insect Hymenoptera macro nature Apidae Bombus pascuorum Common Carder Bee Apinae wildlife polyectic Wiltshire live insects UK

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