Bee19992 anthid red, m, kenya, angle
Bee19992 anthid red, m, kenya, angle
Pachyanthidium species, Sawtooth Sputnik Bee, collected in Kenya
Another striking Sputnik Bee from Africa. This group of bees, and the Anthidiini tribe it nestles in taxonomically, are almost all characteristically striped and spotted with bright yellow, white, and red colors on a wide body, usually also with serious amounts of pitting cratering their exoskeleton. As usual, not much of the life history details are known for this group (including the identification of this species ) but the 18 described species occur broadly south of the Sahara in African and a few species sneak into Southeast Asia. This particular species falls within a subgroup of sputnik bees that have hairy eyes. Another unusual feature is the development of lateral spines on the abdominal segments.
Further in Summer than the Birds
Pathetic from the Grass
A minor Nation celebrates
Its unobtrusive Mass.
No Ordinance be seen
So gradual the Grace
A pensive Custom it becomes
Enlarging Loneliness.
Antiquest felt at Noon
When August burning low
Arise this spectral Canticle
Repose to typify
Remit as yet no Grace
No Furrow on the Glow
Yet a Druidic Difference
Enhances Nature now
-- Emily Dickinson. Original public domain image from Flickr