Ammobates muticus, Mediterranean Bee Stalker, specimen collected by E.L. Merim in Palermo, Italy

Another red-abdomened cuckoo bee; why is it that so many cuckoo bees are more brightly colored than their hosts? While we are not sure of the reason, it seems possible that it more important for cuckoo bees to warn off potential predators that might learn to associate their brighter colors with receiving a painful sting. Cuckoo bees spend all day flying around, often close to the ground, looking for host nests, while the hosts will be outside their nests only for short periods while foraging. This exposes the cuckoo bees to greater risk of predation and this might mean that brighter colors are more advantageous for them,

While there might be an abundance of described species in the Bee Stalker genus (50 are on the books at the moment) there is little known about them and we could find nothing about the particular species shown here other than the localities where it has been collected and representatives of the species stored in museums. Despite the relatively large number of described species the group is surprisingly limited in its overall geographic range, essentially just southern Europe to Central Asia with one species near the southern tip of Africa. From the few species whose habits are known or suspected, we know that Bee Stalkers try to invade nests of bees in the speciose groups of Long-horned and “flower-loving” (Anthophorini bees. As we have said many times in this book…we think there is certainly much more to learn about this group. 15:43, 3 February 2015 (UTC)15:43, 3 February 2015 (UTC){{{{{{0}}}}}}15:43, 3 February 2015 (UTC)15:43, 3 February 2015 (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, F5.0, ISO 100, Shutter Speed 200

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

Contact information: Sam Droege sdroege@usgs.gov