Alien Invasion

[Kwazy]

Although I haven't had a confirmation from someone with factual knowledge, I highly suspect that this sweat bee is cooling itself by repeatedly airing out the liquid in its stomach.

I was lucky enough for the bee to not consider me a threat, land on a leaf right next to me, and start repeatedly extending its mouth parts, wiggling the little flap on the end each time. At first I was completely dumbfounded by the event, but after some research the cooling theory emerged.

• Canon EOS R6
• 100.0 mm
• ƒ/11
• 1/250 sec
• ISO 1000

 

[Paul Iddon]

That's terrific.

I have images of common flies blowing bubbles, though science is still unsure why they do it.

Paul.

 

[Kwazy]

That's terrific.

I have images of common flies blowing bubbles, though science is still unsure why they do it.

Paul.

Thanks Paul,

I think I may have seen a photo of a fly blowing bubbles and the description mentioned cooling, so that's how I got the idea about my bee.