theperplexingbumblebee's Journal

Edit: now combined into the Deformed Bees Project.

While identifying today I found two separate observations of Xylocopa virginica with missing/deformed wings and no thorax hairs. What causes this?

Xylocopa virginica
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/389977574
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/389826254
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/378524762
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/385420507

Another one with strange wing deformity:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/389672828

Xylocopa sonorina
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/396560332

Websites and Guides:
BugGuide.net
DiscoverLife
The Melissodes Project
SharpEatman Guides
USGS Bee Lab on Flickr
Vermont Wild Bee Guide
WatchingBees

Bees of the World (Michener; archive.org)
Classic Papers (Jander, Michener, Mitchell)

Identification:
150+ Bee Identification Videos, S Droege et al (Elmira)

Andrena Guide, D Cappaert

Agapostemon Key, D Johnson
Agapostemon Key, R Roberts
"Doubly punctate" Agapostemon Key, Z Portman et al

Metallic green Halictinae, Z Portman et al
Metallic green Halictinae, beesmn.org
Metallic green Halictinae, C Maffei
Metallic green Halictinae (UVA)

Dialictus Key (Cambridge)
Black Lasioglossum Key (Hemihalictus/Sphecodecastra), J Gibbs et al

Megachile Key, C Sheffield et al
Megachile Key (UFL)

Zadontomerus Key (Rehan lab)
Zadontomerus Key (OSU)

Bombus impatients, bimaculatus, and griseocollis by neylon

Useful lists:
Connecticut Bee List
Massachusetts Bee List
Pennsylvania Bee List
Pollen Specialist Bees of the Eastern US and their Host Plants

Supplementary:
Biodiversity and Classification of Wasps -- The WaspID Course Manual (2024)
Polistes identification key (2008)
Polistes identification key (2021)

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