Insects and Spiders

Chimney Bee On A Thistle

Saw this beautiful little bee on one of the nodding thistles. Commonly called both chimney bee and miner bee. There is a second tiny bug that I can't see enough to get an I D. The chimney bee is a ground nesting bee. Each digs their own tunnel sculpted into a chimney -like turret. They are not aggressive and will not sting, even when handled. If handled rough, they may bite. They are fantastic pollinators and love a large variety of flowers so they are very beneficial.
Chimney Bee (Anthophora abrupta)
Nodding Thistle (Carduus nutans)

Anthophora abruptaChimney BeeMiner BeebeeCarduus nutansNodding Thistlethistlewildflowerwildflower meadowblackland prairietexas wildflowerwhite rock lakedallas texaswinfrey pointmeadowbuginsectnative wildflowerpollinatorpollinatepollinatorsclose up