I haven't been able to identify this insect, but he was big, furry, and intent on getting all he could from this flower. A bee fly, perhaps? Here is a closeup of his head and wings, along with another bee pollinator who was busy on a near-by flower (most of the flowers that are in bloom here seem to be yellow for some reason):
(UPDATE 1/25/2009: Richard has identified this as a Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa varipuncta) -- see his Comment on this entry)
1 comment:
Great shots of a male Valley Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa varipuncta). The females are black -- but not the males. This species is restricted to the southwest U.S and Mexico. Big yes, but does not have a stinger (since a stinger in a bee is a modified ovipositor -- males don't have them). Probably more than you wanted to know. Keep the great photos coming.
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