Andrena nigroaenea by Enmos
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Description
Thanks for viewing !! :o)
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Andrena nigroaenea, which apparently doesnt have a english
common name, is about 14 mm in length. The thorax has brownish
hairs the abdomen has hairs in the same color, but the tail
is covered with black hairs. This species is not very common.
Females nest alone but in suitable territories they may nest
together, but there always is a substantial distance between
individual nests. Both males and females can be seen from the
beginning of April till mid-June, though males have usually
disappeared by the end of May. The females spread a very strong
pheromone, which attracts the eager males. Recent studies have
shown the females produce another type of pheromone once being
inseminated. Males show no interest in these females anymore.
An orchid, the Early Spider Orchid (Ophris sphegodes) takes
advantage of this fact. Like all other orchids it doesn't produce
any nectar and therefore is of no interest to insects. Still it
needs insects for its own reproduction. So it produces a pheromone
identical to that of Andrena nigroaenea. And what is more the
flowers are hairy and have the same feel as a female mining bee.
This attracts many males, ready to mate. They go through the flower
several times, looking for the supposed ready female, but end
up empty handed and full of the orchids pollen. Fully
disappointed they leave the flower, only to be attracted by the
next one. This way the frustrated males are taking care of the
orchids reproduction. This mining bee also visits the flowers of
many early blooming plants, preferring dandelions and various willows.
Hope you like :o)
-
Thanks for all your wonderful comments on
my last upload, "Not the cutest chicks :o)"
!!
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Many thanks,
Jeroen
Comments (53)
fixair
Oh !!!!! pretty baby ;op
kimariehere
love the write up sp interesting i would have just thought it was a Bee ! spectacular macro .. and WOW you can see everytiny hair on that guy.. and that leaf is gorgeous as well!! wonderful WORK! AWESOME SHOT!
veldrane
Nice shot, perfect detail and color balance
Ikarius
Just perfect. Wow! Bravo!
solrac_gi_2nd
Jeroen you've done it. Perfect capture and compo. I like the excellent use natural light.
Margana
He has a beatle haircut! Ooops, just dated myself! This picture of one of my biggest phobias is illucidating.He's really quite cute, isn't he?
MaydaMason
so little and cute :) sweet shot!
tvernuccio
he a BEAUTY!!! i love his little nose!!!! What's that pointy thing sticking out on him? looks like an antennae! totally LOVE that lime green leaf and DOF is soooo beautiful!!! Fabulous macro, Jeroen!!!!!!
Lary
Another pufy been! Ilike this one like others! V*
jcv2
Remember that orchid I posted last year (July 23)? Thank you for sharing this info, Jeroen, I did not know about the special pheromone used by this orchid in addition to the visual deception! Fantastic shot, Jeroen, outstanding work!
1pearl
Fantastic macro shot !!! Vote !!!
Nasht
great information and picture as always my friend! I'm more and more impressed: how do you find all these different subjects?!?
zulaan
So beautiful !!!! Love your images ;)
Zabeth
I'm still afraid of bees! I think its normal...i'm allergic to them... Your macro is fantastic, so many details captured! Have a great day!
Zacko
OOOOOHHHHH!!!! Look at that!!!! Such a god damn (sorry) gorgeous photo! The DOF, sharpness, colours...it is all top class!!!!! Excellent work indeed!!! Have a great weekend Jeroen #:o)
chrysalide
the contrast and the lightning are very good. it's an excellent macro with a nice blur. have a good day
glix70
Wow!!! Lovely macro full of details and excellent explaination!!! Thanks to all your art dear Jeroen!!! Have a wonderful spring and summer too!!! V :)
pixelatorz
wow fabulouse macro photography awesome :)
jacro
joli petit insecte,very beautiful colors,have a great week end
Richardphotos
awesome info on this critter and superb macro
Chaos911
wonderful work!!!
Raven_427
Wonderful work - as usual - don't want to repeat all those words from above :-)))
parb1194
Excellent macro!!!!1 ;o)
Pierre59
Superbe et excellente macro, bravo Jeroen !!! Vote
diomedes66
Oh, this is a fuzzy little guy! Magnificent macro! Well done indeed! A whole new world!
SoulSearcherr
wow..he is so pretty..is funny that I always thought bugs and insects were not pretty..lol..but in reality..they are gorgeous..S
hotracer2
OOOOW, well done macro, great colors:):):):)
tizjezzme
Wow, excellent macro shot. !
Akinom
They've already said it all... just add my vote! ;o)
pimbotin
Hmmm, cooperation between flowers and insects is one of the most astounding things in nature. Excellent shot, as always (and thanks for your informations about the argiope) ;-)