Osmia Equinus

The horsefaced bee was commonly found in sounthern Japan until 18th century when europeans started collecting them and the mass capture eventually resulted in extinction of the entire species. They are related to Osmia cornifrons, a widely used commercial species used to pollinate apples. Unlike the small cousin Osmia cornifrons, the Osmia equinus grows up to 8 inches long and has an abnormally huge abdomen that houses a dangerous sting that can kill a small rodent. Unlike other common bee species, the sting comes out of the victim easily and is re-usable.

Illustration Friday: Buzz
it's a drawing of a bee, a monstrous one.

fine point felt pen, photography, digital print.