An Andrena mining bee gathers nectar from a Spiraea flower in late spring. Note the tiny flower thrips lurking under the petals!

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An early season worker of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, covered with dandelion pollen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Apis mellifera - worker honey bee covered in dandelion pollen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Apis mellifera - worker honey bee covered in dandelion pollen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An early season worker of the western honey bee, Apis mellifera, covered with dandelion pollen.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A Greta oto glass-winged butterfly uses its straw-like proboscis to drink nectar.

Green Hills Butterfly Ranch, Belize
A male bumble bee (Bombus sp.) departs a Hyssop flower.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
A worker honey bee visits a dandelion blossom.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
Danaus plexippus - monarch butterfly taking nectar from a fall-blooming aster.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An Andrena mining bee gathers nectar from a Spiraea flower in late spring. Note the tiny flower thrips lurking under the petals!

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An Andrena mining bee gathers nectar from a Spiraea flower in late spring. Note the tiny flower thrips lurking under the petals!

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An Andrena mining bee gathers nectar from a Spiraea flower in late spring. Note the tiny flower thrips lurking under the petals!

Urbana, Illinois, USA
See photo in original gallery.
all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013