Dianthidium parkeri, face, Cochise Co., AZ
A pollen laden Dianthidium parkeri from Cochise County, Arizona collected by Don Harvey. This genus is associated with drylands. A few occur in the East, but are almost entirely restricted to dry sandy soil habitats. Features here to look at, bee-wise, are the very large wing covers and the winged projections at the corners of the thorax behind the head. Seems like it have to do with armoring and that would be good for someone to look into. This is also in the Family Megachilidae which means it carries its pollen (after cleaning it off her body) under its abdomen. Photography by Anders Croft.
Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all
Ye know on earth and all ye need to know
" Ode on a Grecian Urn"
John Keats. Original public domain image from Flickr