Hebe Jeebies

A bit stuck for a blip, I expected to save the day with a bee on the Hebe in the garden. Actually, there are three varieties close together, as they hybridise so readily. creating slight differences between the resulting flowers.

There were not many bees about, just one or two of a mix of species, I managed to focus on this Tree Bee (Bombus hypnorum), as it was the most obvious.

Looking at the resulting photo in large, however, does make the flesh creep, as this individual has a necklace of mites and one bang in the middle of its copper thorax. I am happy for it to drain every single floret of nectar if it will help it survive those horrid parasites.