Close up of bee in the center of the yellow flower, two petals fill the background, its body facing left, antennae sticking up in the left top corner almost to the top of the frame, left eye focused so you can see the ovoid, black false pupils l, white markings on its dark gray body, mandibles together, left three orange legs clearly focused, foreleg stepping forward with its talons extended like a dog on-point, wings folded behind over its abdomen revealing four white stripes across its back, much of the bee covered in what appears to be its skin long white fur.
European Small-Woolcarder bee / false sunflower
Pseudoanthidium nanum. Less than 12 reported sightings of this handsome, invasive species in the Chicago area this season, its new, western boundary. July 2024.
#bees #woolcarder #pollinators #flowers #gardens #gardening #nature #macro #photography
