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Winner of Bee Day COM
Harvester Bee by Scrublord 1 (11.1%)
Water Bee by Zoological Botanist 8 (88.9%)
Total Votes: 9
Unnoficial Bee Day Com; A one day only competition to celebrate bees
Topic Started: May 20 2018, 01:51 PM (291 Views)
Uncanny Gemstar
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UNNOFICIAL COM #???: Better Bee-lieve it
A one day only com to celebrate bee day, while this is a bit late, you have 24 hours to make an entry. Future or alt evolution, must be descended from a variety of bee or closely allied hymenopteran.
  • Entries to be submitted in this topic
  • Entries must be original and made specifically for this contest (no entering creatures you've already made)
  • Illustration preferred but not required

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ZoologicalBotanist
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Do I need to specify the species of bee or genus of bee my entry is descended from?

Nvm, answered on Discord.
Edited by ZoologicalBotanist, May 20 2018, 02:30 PM.


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Uncanny Gemstar
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For anyone not on discord, no you do not have to specify the genus or species, however it is encouraged to do so if you have a descendent of a particular species
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beingsneaky
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but seriously though can someone link me to the discord server or something because i still can not find it
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"Young ciliaurrg grow on the rear of the parent and look like small slurrg." - ZoologicalBotanist

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ZoologicalBotanist
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You can message Flisch, Sphenodon, or Icthyander for the link.


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beingsneaky
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ZoologicalBotanist
May 20 2018, 03:26 PM
You can message Flisch, Sphenodon, or Icthyander for the link.
thx
user quotes:

"pee is stored in the balls" - Ebervalius

"Young ciliaurrg grow on the rear of the parent and look like small slurrg." - ZoologicalBotanist

active projects: R.T.K.L(Rotifer Tardigrade Kinorhyncha Loriciferans)
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Scrublord
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Harvester Bee (Trigonopsis cultivator)
Note: this entry is canon to the Neozoic

Bees and flowering plants have lived in mutualism for millions of years. Most of the time, this relationship is a straightforward one--the bees transfer pollen from plant to plant while feeding on nectar, thereby aiding reproduction. The harvester bees of the Thermohydric, on the other hand, take this relationship a step further. Descended from the eusocial stingless bees of South America, they have a unique symbiotic relationship with epiphytic plants of the genus Apiphilis. These plants not only rely on bees for pollination but also to disperse their seeds.

A young pregnant queen harvester bee removes a seed from an Apiphilis plant. After eating the sugary pulp that surrounds the seed, she wedges it into a crack in the bark of a tree and guards it as it begins to sprout. Once the seedling reaches a height of about two inches, it develops a hollow structure into which the queen can crawl. As the plant grows, it develops a hollow, woody stem which can be up to three feet across. This stem serves as a home for the bee colony, and allows the plant to absorb nutrients from the waste generated by it. Such a relationship is not unprecedented; in the past many plants had similar symbiotic relationships with ants.

Like honeybees, harvester bee males and fertile females exist only to breed. Males, like many male insects, die after mating, but the young queens fly off to lay eggs and establish colonies. When they do, they take with them seeds from the plant they were born in, in order to grow a new plant to house their own colony. By having its seeds spread in this way, the Apiphilis plant has become extremely widespread and is found all over South America.

In appearance, the harvester bee is a fairly typical bee. About half an inch long and covered in reddish-black "fuzz", they cannot sting, and but rely on their biting jaws to deter nest predator such as birds and mammals, as well as parasitic wasps that lay their eggs in the nest. As larvae, they feed on a substance that is similar to honey, but is made from the pulpy coating of the Apiphilis plant's seeds. The seed coating, which is produced on infertile seeds even when the plant is not reproducing, is placed into pot-like chambers inside the nest until it is needed to feed the developing larvae.

A curious "pecking order" exists in colonies of these bees based on their size and markings (with individuals that have more red on their abdomens being dominant). Less dominant workers are bullied and harassed by more dominant ones, with the dominant individuals receiving a greater share of food. During the colony's overwintering period, those individuals that have become dominant end up "ruling" the colony the following year.

There are over a dozen species of harvester bee, of which T. cultivator is the most common and widely distributed. It lives exclusively in mutualism with the plant Apiphilis mellificus, which is found in what is today Brazil, Venezuela, and Colombia.
Edited by Scrublord, May 20 2018, 07:55 PM.
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ZoologicalBotanist
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Water Bee (Apiunda aquaticus)
Water bees are a colonial species of bee in the Apipalidae family, informally known as swamp bees. They are the only member of their genus, although there are several recognized subspecies.

All swamp bees are best known for their habitat, which consists exclusively of waterlogged habitats such as bogs, marshes, swamps, mires, and fens. Some species also live on lakeshores and riverbanks.
These wetland habitats provide the swamp bees with ample moisture, food, and help to keep the hive cool.

Water bees though, they take this to a whole new level. Water bees are fully aquatic, building their hives under the water’s surface. Workers will weave the stems of aquatic plants together to form the base and support for the hive. From there, beeswax is used to form the rest of the hive. Although nearly any aquatic plant will be used, water bees prefer to use the stems and undersides of lilypads, most likely because this provides shade and hides the hive from above water predators.

Waterbees are able to survive underwater due to several unique adaptations. First, their bodies are covered in a fuzz that traps air, keeping their bodies dry. Second, their wings repel water. When a water bee reaches the surface, it buzzes its wings to shake off water droplets, then it goes about its business. Third, They are able to use their wings to propel themselves through the water. This, coupled with their sleek shape, makes them somewhat good swimmers. Fourth and most important, they are able to use their limbs to grab bubbles of oxygen filled air from the surface. Worker bees will constantly go back and forth between the surface and the hive, taking old air to the surface and bringing back fresh air to oxygenate the hive.

The water plants that form part of the hive also play a role in providing oxygen. Groups of workers will care for the plant by removing parasites and dead/infected growth. This keeps the plant alive, protecting the integrity and safety of the hive and colony.

Water bees are native to tropical regions of the world. It is believed that they originated in the Ganges River Delta, where the large amount of water would support such a change to a fully aquatic lifestyle. There is little evidence to support this though, as water bees are found worldwide, and have been for hundreds of years. The worldwide distribution is most likely due to queen bees and water bee hives traveling worldwide as aquatic plants were transported across the world for ponds and private/public aquariums.

Water bees, like all bees, are important pollinators. Due to their habitat, they are the primary pollinators of plants such as water lilies, flag iris, duck potato, lotus, and other aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. They do not limit themselves to those plants however, and may visit flower gardens, orchards, and fields to find flowers.

If you live in a place that is warm all year and revives plentiful rainfall, you will be able to attract this fascinating species to your garden. Just follow these steps:

1.) Construct a small pond in your yard, preferably somewhere that receives plenty of sun. The pond must be a minimum of three feet deep, five inches wide, and five inches long. If you already have a natural or man-made body of water on your property that meets the minimum requierments, skip to step 3.

2.) Once the pond is dug properly and filled with water, place about an inch of sand or small gravel at the bottom as a substrate medium.

3.) Plant plenty of aquatic plants in the pond. Be sure to include species that flower, such as lilies, flag irises, and lotus. Obey all local laws regarding which plants are allowed in private gardens.

4.) (OPTIONAL) If you wish, you may place small fish species in the pond. Fish 2 inches or larger can eat the bees though, and the bees may consider the fish a threat if they swim too close to the hive. Only do this if there is sufficient space for the fish to keep their distance from the hive and still have plenty of swimming space.

5.) Wait for the bees. At this point, all you have to do is wait for a queen to select your pond as the location for her new colony.

A few final notes: If you are using a man-made pond, you must ensure the water level does not drop by more than 6 inches. If it drops below this level, the water bees may consider moving to a deeper pond. If the water level falls and needs to be refilled, use a pitcher or hose to fill the pond. Do not fill the pond by pouring the water on the side of the pond containing the hive. This will disturb the bees. Pour the water in on the side of the pond farthest from where the bees have made their hive.


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Uncanny Gemstar
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Well that's 24 hours so entries are closed I suppose. I'll make a poll and anyone who wants to vote can.
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