I photographed these two little (7mm) male leafcutter bees, (Megachile rotundata Fabricius) while they were at rest. These are solitary leafcutter bees introduced to North America in the 1930’s to help pollinate alfalfa. Males can be distinguished from females by the lack of a scopa, the plush hairy pad under the female’s abdomen that picks up pollen as she visits flowers.
In the first image it is interesting to see how the colour of the soft, muted background harmonizes with colour of the eye of the bee. The upward angle of the body and the flower also add an attractive dynamism that is not found in the second image. It is also interesting to note how the second bee is using its big jaws (“mega chile“) to grip the flower while resting on its more precarious seat, as indicated by the unsupported hind legs.
More information on this bee can be found at Wikipedia.
Thanks to John Ascher at BugGuide for the ID.