@8ofpentacles went to a presentation from the folks at the Oregon Bee Atlas about a month ago, and my favorite phrase they used was "morphologically monotonous" -- a lot of the little bees are virtually indistinguishable to species visually, sometimes even with microscopy.
that being said, I'm always down to learn about a good new field guide!!
@8ofpentacles btw, they also mentioned that during the 9 years they've been doing surveys they've increased the estimated native bee population from around 400 species to over 900!!!
@danielthedaring hhaha holy shit! but yeah god I believe it. I just want to get better at least at the ones that are visually distinguishable!! right now I have All Green, Green Head Stripey Bum (I do already know these two species names but just have forgotten at the moment lol), Shrink-Laser-Zapped Honeybee, What The Fuck How Are You So Small Yellow, and Grayish
@8ofpentacles lolol excellent. I like Tiny and Slim, Tiny and Square-headed, Some Kind of Leafcutter, Antennae Longer than Body, Small Green Probably Mason, Striped in White??, Long Wings (Probably Andrena of Some Kind), Green Head Stripey Body Why Are You Nectaring Like THAT
@8ofpentacles the last, caught in the act: https://mastodon.online/@danielthedaring/115132202557379446
@danielthedaring WHAT ARE THEY DOING
Jul 10, 2026, 4:35 PM@danielthedaring @8ofpentacles I read these as nicknames of guys in a street gang
@8ofpentacles @Moss it also reminds me of the Atavamsaka Sutra, where they list off all the different Bodhisattvas in attendance