The sleeper bee

[Prajwal J Ullal]

ID: Nomad bees

One of the most beautiful and tiny bees, usually seen in the garden area, these seem to join in to rest on the tips of a particular plant. Not sure why they seem to prefer a particular branch of the plants and can sometimes couple or three of them flock in to share the sleeping space. Interestingly these are also known as kleptoparasitic cuckoo bees, because of their behavior, like cuckoos, where they are known to lay eggs in other’s nests and also for stealing other’s resources. Though their size and cute behavior does not seem to reflect this form of behavior, and rather interestingly they sleep peacefully with just their mandibles holding the tip of the blade on which they rest and suspending the whole-body outwards. Despite the movement of the blades, due to the breeze, these seem to sleep peacefully without any disturbance.

EXIF:
Canon 80D+25mm extension tube
F/13
Shutterspeed 1/200
ISO 500
Handheld, External flash fired

Location: Thane

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Interesting description and matching image. We can only wonder at the way various species use some of their organs. Our body is not designed to hang and sleep. That would have meant way bigger and stronger hands and shoulders. Not sure how big it would need to be. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Mrudul Godbole]

Thanks for sharing these detailed observations. Its such peculiar behaviour. So many things in nautre we are yet to understand fully. Lovely photograph. Loved the colours and the details. Nice capture.