Bees of the genus Euglossa, also known as orchid bees
pete carr photo
Few insects (or animals) have as much influence on the planet as honey bees. As pollinators that swarm from flower to flower and crop to crop, they keep the world’s flora and biodiversity thriving. But thanks to a myriad of deadly factors, including pesticides, habitat destruction, and climate change, thousands of species are on the brink.
![Title: Female Violet Giant Bee Xylocopa violacea Dark Background_Pete-Carr Caption: Bees: A Story of Survival Credit: ?Pete Carr Photography/National Gallery Liverpool](https://i0.wp.com/images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/29115406/SEI_201230687.jpg?resize=749%2C499&ssl=1)
Purple carpenter bee (Xylocopa violacea)
Pete Carr/National Museum Liverpool
A new exhibit about these vibrant creatures, Bees: A story of survivalprovides an immersive window into the world of honeybees, from the complex anatomy of a single bee to the structure of an entire colony. In collaboration with artist Wolfgang Buttress, we use sound, sculpture and light to fuse art and technology to show visitors the lives of bees around the world and highlight how devastating it is to lose them. I am.
![Title: Female Fleaoides smallest NML Bee_Pete Carr Caption: Bees: A story of survival Credit: ?Pete Carr Photography/National Gallery Liverpool](https://i0.wp.com/images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/29115409/SEI_201230716.jpg?resize=749%2C499&ssl=1)
Bees of the genus Nomioides
Pete Carr/National Museum Liverpool
The main image is a bee of the genus Apis. Euglossa, also known as orchid bee. They are important orchid pollinators in the Americas (although they are also attracted to rotting fruit, fungi, and even feces). Males, one of which is shown here, use the scent of chemicals they collect during pollination to court females. The more complex the smell, the greater the attraction.
![Title: Bees from the Entomology Collection of the World Museum - Xylocopa inconstans (male) Sub-Saharan Africa Caption: Bee specimens from the Entomology Collection of the World Museum - Xylocopa inconstans (male) Sub-Saharan Africa Credits: ? Photo by Pete Kerr](https://i0.wp.com/images.newscientist.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/29115418/SEI_201230743.jpg?resize=749%2C499&ssl=1)
African carpenter bee (Xylocopa inconstans)
pete carr photo
The next image (from top to bottom) is a purple carpenter bee (xylocopa violacea), which can be identified by their glowing purple wings and body, is one of the largest bees in Europe.genus bee Nomioides, one of the smallest types of bees. and the African carpenter bee (Xylocopa inconstance).
The exhibition will run until May 5, 2025 at the World Museum in Liverpool, UK.
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Source: www.newscientist.com