Anthophila Collection

Ophrys apifera, bee orchid
Watercolour by Arthur Harry Church, 17 June 1913

Megachile pluto, Wallaces giant bee

Hymenoptera specimens
A case containing various Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps and their allies) specimens, held at the Natural History Museum, London

Anthophora hispanica bee C016 / 2081
Anthophora hispanica bee

Hymenoptera specimens C016 / 5851
Hymenoptera specimens. Case containing various Hymenoptera (ants, bees, wasps etc) specimens, held at the Natural History Museum, London, UK

Apis mellifera, European honey bee
Photograph of a European honey bee (Apis mellifera) in the wildlife garden. A typical small hive contains about 20, 000 bees which are divided into three types; Queen, Drones, and Workers

Bombus pascorum, common carder bee
A female Bombus pascorum, common carder bee visiting a plant in the wildlife garden

Two birds on title page, waiting for crumbs
Heart-shaped enamel on metal badge made by Ernestine Mills (1871-1959), possibly for the W.S.P.Us Womens Exhibition of 1909

Hyperechia nigripennis, robber fly
A robber fly, an African predatory fly with a carpenter bee (Xylocopa) that it mimics. Specimens held at the Natural History Museum, London

Collection of mixed dead birds
Plate 65, painting by Pieter Cornelius de Bevere, from the Loten Collection of coloured drawings of Birds, Mammals, Insects & Plants, (1754-57)

Copal with honey bee
A piece of East African copal with a honey bee, Apis mellifera preserved inside it. Specimen is less than 2 million years old

Orchid bee in copal
Orchid bee in Colombian copal (a younger stage of amber). Probabaly less than 2 million years old. Donated by Miguel Caycedo

Merops apiaster, European bee-eater
Plate 144 from William MacGillivrays Watercolour drawings of British Animals (1831-1841)

The Honey Bees Nest in an ant hill
At the Seba que River October 1870. Sketch 53 from a collection of original sketches by Thomas Baines, (1859-1871)

Honeycomb of Apis sp. honeybee
A close-up of the structure of a the honeycomb made by a colony of honeybees

Anthophorites titania, fossil bee
A well preserved specimen of the body of a bee. Legs and abdomen can clearly be seen

Merops leschenaulti, chestnut-headed bee-eater
Plate 33, watercolour by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn from her Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous, (1858)

Collection of birds feathers
Plate 25 from Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous (1858) by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn (1829-1928)

Wild honey comb
Plate 42 from Neilgherry birds and Miscellaneous (1858) by Margaret Bushby Lascelles Cockburn (1829-1928)

Bee in Dominican amber
A bee, Hymenoptera: Aculeata: Apidae trapped in Dominican amber. This specimen was used to attempt DNA extraction

Bombus sp. bumble bee
Side-view mid-flight photograph of a bumble bee, photograph taken in the U.K

Bombyliidae specimens
Bee-flies from around the world, clockwise from top left: Systropus, Bombylius, Cephalopdromia and Ligyra. Adults are flower feeders, the larvae are parasitoids of other insects

Bombus hypnorum, bumblebee
A bumblebee perched on Lythrum salicaria, purple loosetrife, in the Natural History Museums Wildlife Garden

Pollen on bee
Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of pollen on a bee. If the plant depends on animals for pollination, the pollen will be relatively large and sticky

Varroa jacobsoni, honey bee mite

Apis mellifera, honey bee
Scanning electron microscope image of a honey bee coloured artificially by computer. The female worker caste of this species have special baskets on their legs to to take pollen back to the nest

Honeybee visiting a flower
A working honeybee visiting a flower and collecting pollen

Apis sp. honeybee visiting a flower
A honeybee collecting nectar and pollen whilst visiting a garden flower

Bombus sp. bumblebee visiting a flower
A bumblebee visiting an attractive garden flower, collecting nectar and adding pollen to the pollen sac shown here on its hind leg

Odontoglossum alexandrea, orchid
Illustration by Arthur Harry Church, 1907. Held in the Botany Library at the Natural History Museum, London

Merops albicollis, white-throated bee-eater
Watercolour by Chloe Elizabeth Talbot Kelly (1960)

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"Anthophila: The Fascinating World of Bee Orchids and Pollinators" In the enchanting realm of Anthophila, we encounter the mesmerizing Ophrys apifera, commonly known as the bee orchid. Its intricate petals mimic a female bee with such precision that male bees are irresistibly drawn to it. This captivating dance between flower and pollinator showcases nature's ingenuity. Among these buzzing visitors is Megachile pluto, Wallaces giant bee - an awe-inspiring creature believed to be extinct until its rediscovery in Indonesia. With a wingspan reaching up to 2. 5 inches, this gentle giant plays a vital role in pollination, reminding us of the interconnectedness within ecosystems. Preserved Hymenoptera specimens stand as testament to our fascination with these winged wonders. English Insects illustration by James Barbut brings their delicate beauty to life on paper, capturing their vibrant colors and intricate details for generations to admire. Within this diverse group lies Anthophora hispanica bee C016 / 2081 - an industrious species tirelessly collecting pollen from flowers across Mediterranean landscapes. Its tireless efforts contribute not only to its own survival but also ensure the continuation of countless plant species. The Apis mellifera or European honey bee symbolizes unity and cooperation within their hives. These diligent workers tirelessly collect nectar from various blossoms, producing golden honey cherished by humans worldwide for centuries. Bombus pascorum, the common carder bee spreads joy as it flits from flower to flower with its fuzzy body covered in yellow stripes. Alongside Bombus sp. , bumble bees play crucial roles in maintaining biodiversity through efficient pollination services they provide. As we turn each page adorned with two birds eagerly awaiting crumbs on its title page, we witness how even seemingly unrelated creatures rely on nature's offerings for sustenance and survival – highlighting the delicate balance maintained in the natural world.