Thalestria spinosa..the only member of its genus and a nest parasite of the genus Oxaea. Note that both genera have glints of metallic integument just to make them more attractive to humans. Sadly my lovely interns did not record where this particular specimen was collected, but I do know the specimen is likely about 100 years old and part of the Smithsonian collection. Oh, check out the 4 lovely spines floating off the back of the thorax. Sadly mammals like use never get to where this sort of spine. 18:39, 9 February 2018 (UTC)18:39, 9 February 2018 (UTC){{{{{{0}}}}}}18:39, 9 February 2018 (UTC)18:39, 9 February 2018 (UTC)

All photographs are public domain, feel free to download and use as you wish.

Photography Information: Canon Mark II 5D, Zerene Stacker, Stackshot Sled, 65mm Canon MP-E 1-5X macro lens, Twin Macro Flash in Styrofoam Cooler, e F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

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

You can also follow us on Instagram - account = USGSBIML Want some Useful Links to the Techniques We Use? Well now here you go Citizen:

Art Photo Book: Bees: An Up-Close Look at Pollinators Around the World www.amazon.com/Bees-Up-Close-Pollinators-Around-World/dp/...

Free Field Guide to Bee Genera of Marylandhttp://bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf Basic USGSBIML set up: www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-_yvIsucOY

USGSBIML Photoshopping Technique: Note that we now have added using the burn tool at 50% opacity set to shadows to clean up the halos that bleed into the black background from "hot" color sections of the picture. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdmx_8zqvN4

Bees of Maryland Organized by Taxa with information on each Genus www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/collections

PDF of Basic USGSBIML Photography Set Up: ftp://ftpext.usgs.gov/pub/er/md/laurel/Droege/How%20to%20Take%20MacroPhotographs%20of%20Insects%20BIML%20Lab2.pdf

Google Hangout Demonstration of Techniques: plus.google.com/events/c5569losvskrv2nu606ltof8odo or www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c15neFttoU

Excellent Technical Form on Stacking: www.photomacrography.net/

Contact information: Sam Droege sdroege@usgs.gov