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The United States Geological Survey Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab has compiled an extraordinary portfolio of insect images photographed using macro and microscope photographic technology. These extreme close-up views provide an extraordinary glimpse into the minuscule world of bees, beetles, and a host of other incredible critters.

Browse the gallery and take a peek at these brilliant bugshots.

▲These beetles feed on the pollen and nectar of flowers, or browse on petals. Some species also feed on fruit.

▲The name of this bee species reflects their habit of using leaves as the materials from which they build their nests.

▲These beetles have a secret weapon, a defensive secretion of blistering agent. Hence the name!

▲Arachnids are the favorite snack of this wasp, which is prevalent throughout South America.

▲A habit of burrowing into dead wood or bamboo lends this bee its industrious name.

▲The speck-like tree hopper numbers over 3,000 species and is found on all continents except Antarctica.

▲Native to North America, this bug hunts caterpillars. It's big, fast, and spectacular!

▲Clumsy-looking, but adept in the air. Their nesting habits are similar to carpenter bees in that they burrow in wood or pith.

▲These are the caterpillar larvae of wax moths.

▲The wings of a carpenter bee. These bees lay the world's largest insect eggs.

▲Pictured here with larvae, these sap-sucking bugs are widely distributed throughout southern Asia.

▲Native to Central and South America, this species flies just before dawn and just after dusk.

▲Pictured is a drone (male). Unlike the female worker bee, drones do not have stingers and gather neither nectar nor pollen.

▲Also known as the euglossine bee, the species is found from Mexico to northern Argentina.

▲Native to North America, this critter is one of the most destructive beetles of white oak trees.

▲This flashy bug is found in North America.

▲Native to North America, this is a species of dragonfly.

▲These tiny and vibrant insects are distributed throughout the world.

▲A member of the leaf beetle family, they are found in almost every part of North America.

▲Just 3 mm long, these insects are named for their delicate and intricately designed fore wings, which resemble lace.

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These bloodsucking insects are considered pests to humans and cattle.

▲So named for their large antennae, these bees are found in Central America and North America.

▲These Australia-wide bees are so named because they build their nests out of resin.

▲This bee species is found across North America.

▲These crafty bugs lie in wait for their prey, relying on their excellent camouflage to make a hit.

▲Some of these arachnids are tiny. The spider pictured is about 10 mm in length. A ubiquitous species, they are mostly found in tropical forests. However one specimen was collected on the slopes of Mount Everest!

▲This is not an insect but if you're going to encounter any scorpion in the United States, it's probably going to be this one. Pictured is the business end of this venomous creature.

▲There are around 600 known species of this fly worldwide.

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Large, wide-bodied, and heavy, this bomber of the insect world is found in North and South America.