Zach likes bees
@zachportman.bsky.social
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Bee enthusiast and taxonomist
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Zach likes bees
Gray
about 1 year ago
Bicolored striped sweat bee (Agapostemon virescens) / pulling hyssop flower
#agapostemon
#beePhoto
#bees
#SweatBee
#BeesAndFlowers
#beePhotography
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So excited to see this paper out — determining bumblebee nesting preferences using standardized surveys led by Sami Dolan. We found 25 nests over two years in MN and WI and found that bumblebees prefer to nest in prairie and edge habitat rather than forests.
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
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Prairie and edge habitats provide valuable nesting resources for bumble bees (Bombus) in the midwestern U.S - Apidologie
Bumble bees use three main habitats to complete their life cycle: foraging habitat, overwintering habitat, and nesting habitat. Overall, the majority of bumble bee research has focused on the foraging...
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13592-025-01222-8
about 4 hours ago
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Terry McGlynn
7 days ago
I'm heading off to EntSoc and here's my take on navigating your first scientific conference. Hope to see lots of you there!
scienceforeveryone.science/getting-the-...
#EntSoc25
🧪
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Zach likes bees
Ryan J. Reilly “paints a vivid and urgent portrait of… disarray”
8 days ago
BREAKING: JUSTICE DEPARTMENT EATS A LOSS IN 'SANDWICH GUY' CASE AS JURORS FIND DEFENDANT NOT GUILTY
www.nbcnews.com/politics/jus...
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Jury acquits D.C. 'sandwich guy' charged with chucking a sub at a federal agent
Sean Dunn faced single misdemeanor offense after federal grand jurors refused to indict him on the felony charge sought by prosecutors.
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/dc-sandwich-guy-verdict-rcna242142
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Zach likes bees
Hella Bee Nerd
8 days ago
Ma’am, you can’t just wander the sidewalk like that. Most people pay no attention to where they’re stepping. [Foothill carpenter bee, Alameda, CA 11-4-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Health Nerd
17 days ago
Can apple cider vinegar make you lose weight? Probably not. My piece this week takes a look at a fascinating example of unreliable science, forensic metascience, and seriously problematic data.
gidmk.substack.com/p/apple-cide...
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Apple Cider Vinegar For Weight Loss - A Study That May Never Have Happened At All
Some fascinating insights into the world of scientific integrity.
https://gidmk.substack.com/p/apple-cider-vinegar-for-weight-loss
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Zach likes bees
Hella Bee Nerd
18 days ago
Ever see a complete bee grooming routine up close? I’m not saying this Agapostemon subtilior female and I are heroes, but we are here to help. Enjoy this quality motion picture, complete with PG&E construction noises for that true California flavor. [Alameda, CA 10-27-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Hella Bee Nerd
24 days ago
🎼 Tongue shadow, tongue shadow- 🎶 Watch this little male Zadontomerus carpenter bee perform an elaborate nectar-probing routine in a rock purslane flower. [Alameda, CA 10-21-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Quinta Jurecic
27 days ago
After 2024, pundits brushed off the Resistance as cringe. I submit: Yes, it was. And cringe is good. Cringe, in fact, will save democracy.
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Resistance Is Cringe
But it’s also effective.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/10/no-kings-protest-good-cringe-resistance/684595/?gift=DWZS7XsWkZZzV_Qd7Q3wdXB7yxq0ag8cTzjSgS6aUSc&utm_source=copy-link&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share
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Elisabeth Bik - Perpetrator 5, a fraudulent microbiologist
29 days ago
Very bizarre. An investigation by
@cuny.edu
's expert panel found "evidence highly suggestive of deliberate scientific misconduct" - but the university concluded that Dr. Wang did not do misconduct.
#ScienceIntegrity
@charlespiller.bsky.social
reports at Science.
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Zach likes bees
Jen Cross
29 days ago
Xylethrus superbus is a fabulous species of orb weaving spider from the Amazon rainforest. While she looks a bit like a strawberry, eating her is not recommended.
#Arachtober
Cuyabeno Reserve, Ecuador 2022
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Playing around with some GBIF bee data. Some records pop up with: Order: Hymenoptera Family: Apidae Genus: Crustacea Thought my code was bugging out, but no, just very bad data quality.
about 1 month ago
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Hella Bee Nerd
about 1 month ago
Agapostemon are terrible at mating (they still get it done - must be sheer numbers), but they are very, very thorough foragers. [Alameda, CA 10-3-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Quinta Jurecic
about 2 months ago
(Battle Hymn of the Republic plays in the background)
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Tom Astle
about 2 months ago
This is my friend Krystle Hickman’s gorgeous new book, which arrived today. Krystle is one the best, most dedicated photographers I know and a real inspiration to me. She is self taught and passionate, and has documented several previously undocumented behaviors. Buy this book! 🐝🐙🌿📷#invertebrates
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Zach likes bees
Dan Garisto
about 2 months ago
New: After a long wait, the GRFP solicitation is live! Deadlines have been extended to early November, so applicants have a bit over a month to submit.
www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
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NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
https://www.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/grfp-nsf-graduate-research-fellowship-program
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Melissa McMasters
about 2 months ago
What a treat to watch this leafcutter bee bring the petals of a blanketflower back to line her nest, transforming a drainage hole into its own kind of bloom.
#bees
#Inverts
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Carl T. Bergstrom
about 2 months ago
I cannot overstate how remarkable it is that under GOP rule, US federal health regulations have been captured by fringe crackpots who espouse views that the vast majority of the US public—and nearly 100% of health professionals—reject. Gift link:
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Kennedy’s Vaccine Panel Votes to Limit Access to Covid Shots
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/health/cdc-vaccines-mmrv-hepatitis-b.html
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Interesting new study documenting the only rusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) overwintering observation:
scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol58/i...
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A bumble bee in a haystack: chance observation of an overwintering rusty patched bumble bee, Bombus affinis (Hymenoptera:Apidae) gyne
Bombus affinis (rusty-patched bumble bee) Cresson is listed as a federally endangered species in the United States and Canada. It is globally “imperiled” (G2) and listed as “critically endangered” on ...
https://scholar.valpo.edu/tgle/vol58/iss1/11/
about 2 months ago
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Zach likes bees
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
about 2 months ago
Researchers at Xerces &
@unevadareno.bsky.social
tested the plants butterflies use in two major cities—nearly all had pesticides, many at lethal levels. Every step to reduce pesticide use is a win. Learn more ➡️
xerces.org/news/organiz...
Find safer alternatives to pesticides ➡️
xerces.org/pesticides
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Zach likes bees
Hella Bee Nerd
about 2 months ago
Speaking of the end of Longhorn bee season, here is the most impressively elderly male I've yet seen. An amazing amount of hair loss considering they never go into nests, which is how females lose their hairs (hole/tunnel friction). [Alameda, CA 8-16-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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A perfect fuzzy boy from today (leafcutter bee, Megachile latimanus)
2 months ago
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Zach likes bees
JPE - Journal of Pollination Ecology
2 months ago
Extremely interesting opinion piece by MacIvor & Irwin on "Mail-order solitary bee cocoons as a gateway for biological invasion":
doi.org/10.26786/192...
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Zach likes bees
James Petruzzi
2 months ago
Another hidden treasure from Waikamoi: Hyleaus volitalis, a species of Hawaii-endemic yellow-faced bee. (No yellow face on this one, she's female). These bees usually hold their wings close against the body, glad this one decided to show off her colors...
#invertebrates
#Hawaii
📷🌿🐙
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Zach likes bees
Evelyndroid's Aperture Séance and Spooky Spood-Finding 🏳️⚧️🕷️
2 months ago
So many resin bees today! This nugget was very excited about some St John's Wort.
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Zach likes bees
Tom Astle
2 months ago
It's always worth looking closer.🐙🌿🧵 Late this afternoon I saw a small male green sweat bee in the grass. He was near a flower, but seemed to be trying - not totally successfully - to cling to a thread-thin piece of grass, maybe to roost for the night. I took photos as he clambered around, but--
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Zach likes bees
Hella Bee Nerd
2 months ago
Ceratina small carpenter bee mating is a more complicated activity than I realized before recording this. Many bees do antenna stroking but note he’s also grabbed her back legs with his and is rapidly stroking them with his middle legs. A lot to keep track of. [Oakland, CA 9-1-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Quinta Jurecic
2 months ago
this now brings us up to six (!) grand jury refusals to charge (that we know about), plus two cases filed as part of the dc surge dismissed on the us attorney's office's request
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Jen Cross
2 months ago
Alright, you all have to stop and appreciate this stunning little dude. The blue eyes, fuzzy sideburns, and cute little bee feet. These longhorn bees are typically energetic and skittish, but Mr. Handsome must've been napping. A great opportunity for a nice portrait. (Melissodes denticulatus) PA
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amohr
2 months ago
Check out those antlers!
#bees
#insects
#inverts
#macromonday
#bloomscrolling
#flowerreport
#pnw
#garden
#photography
#eastcoastkin
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Ed Phillips
3 months ago
First Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae) that I've seen in our
#Staffs
garden this year; a male. Lots of other invertebrates on the Ivy too, showing what in important resource it is.
#bees
#SolitaryBees
#pollination
#macro
#photograph
#biodiversity
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New paper! “Pollinator plantings in the intensively farmed Midwest (U.S.A.) support a core set of common bee species, regardless of local and landscape controls” led by postdoc Marissa Chase. 1/
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Pollinator plantings in the intensively farmed Midwest (U.S.A.) support a core set of common bee species, regardless of local and landscape controls
Amidst widespread habitat loss and homogenization of landscapes, pollinator plantings can provide bees with a diversity of foraging resources. Yet, plantings may fall short of restoring historical be...
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/rec.70175
3 months ago
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Maryn McKenna
3 months ago
My heart. Members of the US Public Health Service (the uniformed service branch no one has ever heard of, who serve at the CDC and elsewhere in the US), massed within the CDC property, saluting their departing uniformed leaders who were escorted out by security today after resigning on principle.
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Hella Bee Nerd
3 months ago
Meanwhile on the island we are also winding down to a few elderly males and the occasional female Longhorn bee. You can see this veteran’s age from all the hair loss and his ragged wing edges. [Alameda, CA 8-28-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Ainsley S
3 months ago
International shipments and museum loans: some helpful, aggravating notes from Chris on the ECN listserv that I'm leaving here for future reference.
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Zach likes bees
Desirée L. Narango
3 months ago
Not ever day that longhorn cuckoo bees (Triepeolus sp.) out number the bumblebees during surveys! Three species yesterday on one plot. All on blue vervain (verbena hastata) which appears to be heavily favored by this genus
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Zach likes bees
Timmons Roberts
3 months ago
My lab's been attacked by an anti-wind group and their lawyers. They threatened the science funding of my whole university, to shut me and my undergraduate research assistants up. NYT just covered it. 1/n
www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/c...
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Law Firm Pressures Brown University to Erase Research on Anti-Wind Groups
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/25/climate/brown-university-offshore-wind-marzulla.html?unlocked_article_code=1.g08.cAcd.MyLJWrRWdIhk&smid=url-share
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ProPublica
3 months ago
Earlier this year, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced massive cuts to federal health agencies. The Trump administration has refused to say how many workers have been lost so far. But a new ProPublica analysis gives a detailed view.
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Gutted: How Deeply Trump Has Cut Federal Health Agencies
More than 20,500 workers have left or been pushed out of federal health agencies, a ProPublica analysis found. Staffers say the cuts will leave their agencies less equipped to conduct studies, perform...
https://projects.propublica.org/federal-health-worker-cuts-rfk-trump-administration/?utm_campaign=propublica-sprout&utm_content=1756069209&utm_medium=social&utm_source=bluesky
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A fuzzy rusty patched bumble bee boy from today. It's nice when they take the time to pose :)
3 months ago
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Zach likes bees
3 months ago
Yellow Loosestrife Bees (Macropis europea) foraging on their favourite flowers - Lysimachia vulgaris (Yellow Loosestrife) on Beeston Common, Norfolk
@norfolknats.bsky.social
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Hella Bee Nerd
3 months ago
Speaking of Phacelia, navigating those extra long filaments to harvest the anthers is also a jungle for mid-sized bees, like this Agapostemon subtilior. [Alameda, CA 5-4-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Native thistles are beloved by bees but criminally underappreciated by people. Here is a native field thistle (Cirsium discolor) with a Bombus griseocollis (top) and Bombus bimaculatus (bottom) having an absolute blast.
3 months ago
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Jen C Mars
3 months ago
Sleepy bee
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Armando Rosario-Lebrón
4 months ago
The USDA just posted openings to replace some of the entomologists lost over the past few months across the U.S. Mixed feelings, but I figured I would share it anyway. If you want to apply and want my opinion DM me Job link here:
www.usajobs.gov/job/842192200
#entomology
#Insects
🧪🪲🪳
#sciencejobs
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Entomologist (Identifier)
In this position you will serve as an Entomologist with responsibility for performing specialized and difficult taxonomic work, and providing taxonomic, biological and regulatory expertise in support ...
https://www.usajobs.gov/job/842192200
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Hella Bee Nerd
4 months ago
Silent movie getting played back at the wrong frame rate? Nope, this is her actual foraging speed. Agapostemon subtilior don’t play around. [Alameda, CA 7-31-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Jen C Mars
4 months ago
Just a couple of two-spotted longhorn bees bunking down for the night
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Zach likes bees
Hella Bee Nerd
4 months ago
On my walk to work this morning, still lots of sleeping longhorn males in their usual spot. And that one female that likes overnighting with her brothers is still at it. [Berkeley, CA 7-30-25]
#bees
#nativebees
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Zach likes bees
Evelyndroid's Aperture Séance and Spooky Spood-Finding 🏳️⚧️🕷️
4 months ago
Sexy resin bees! They're so cute and stubby. The boy's little feets on her back 🥹
#BugSex
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A small Bombus auricomus worker on Astragalus ☺️ Bombus auricomus workers are typically rather large, but occasionally you see a small one like this
4 months ago
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