This insect is trying to pretend it is a bee or wasp.
Sara wasn’t fooled, however. It is actually a beetle called the locust borer, Megacyllene robiniae.The adults are very commonly found feeding on goldenrod in the fall where black locusts grow.
The adult beetles lay their eggs in the wood of the black locust tree. The larvae tunnel through the wood, eating it.
Note:Â If you see a beetle that looks like this in the spring, it just might be a hickory borer instead.
This week we have a nut.
These come from a tree found in western New York.
The identity is a bit tricky, so look closely at the green husks before you make a guess.
Do you know what plant these came from? If you’d like to, please leave a comment with your idea.
Edit:Â The answer is now posted.
Our mystery seeds last week were from a blue columbine, Aquilegia caerulea.
The blue columbine is known for its beautiful blue to lavender and white flowers. It is the state flower of Colorado and commonly grows in the Rocky Mountains.
The plant has delicate fern-like leaves.
Blue columbines are perennials and once established will come back year after year.
Although our mystery seeds were collected from plant growing in a yard in western New York, the flowers were photographed near here:
Have you ever grown a blue columbine?
For more information, see Roberta Gibson Writes.
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