Andrena nigroaenea by Enmos

Photography • Macro • posted on Apr 22, 2005

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Description

Thanks for viewing !! :o) -- 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)" !! -- Many thanks, Jeroen

Comments (53)

ZotKonijn

11:03AM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Fantastic work!! Those colors are very beautiful! Have a nice weekend!

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TwoPynts

11:39AM | Fri, 22 April 2005

FASCINATING information and a spectaculare photo of this little bee. The ammount of detail you manage to capture is stunning and the DOF and POV is perfect. Lovely little scene!

Michelle A.

12:02PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Superb dof, sharpness and clarity....

cynlee

12:10PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

looks as if she's struggling or merely lying low creeping up on something... fine detail!! :]

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SNAKEY

12:29PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Excellent lights .... very sharp..... nice details.......... cool pic.:O)

Tedz

12:36PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Back to Your Beloved Bugz :]

maudawg

12:48PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

love your bugs!! and I learn something with each render...:O)!!

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dtp

1:48PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

cool bug this got a yellow bird... very well on the colors nice and vibrant.

ebsmooth

1:50PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

outstanding detail in the leaf!!! the way the bug's little hairs are capturing the light is spectacular!!! well done!!!

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tibet2004uk

1:55PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Totally fascinating infos!!! It's crazy how it all works and is all connected!! Superb macro shot too, as usual!

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pm_hackworth

2:10PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Your kick'n it to the highest level as always! Superb macro as ALWAYS! :0) VOTE

soulofharmony

2:43PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

jeroen this is superb .. excellent colouring and pov.. gorgeous composition... superb :)...)

donvino

3:11PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

One word..SUPERB. V for this image!!!

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Onslow

4:11PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Another superb shot from the master of nature macros :)

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escafeld

5:00PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Great macro Jeroen, so sharp. Exxcellent!!!

ana-maria

5:38PM | Fri, 22 April 2005

Fantastic macro. So detailled and the colors are superb. Excellent done!!!

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sharky_

3:36AM | Sat, 23 April 2005

Excellent macro with beautiful colors. Aloha

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Lledeline

11:21AM | Sat, 23 April 2005

Very beautiful . The golden colors are fantastic.

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odie

1:23PM | Sat, 23 April 2005

BEEEE-utiful! lol! I just bought a teleconverter. I hope I can capture something similar. (couldn't afford a macro lens just yet.) Keep up the good work, Jeroen. :0)

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