The spring wildflowers are in full bloom this month, with everything from golden poppies to deep purple lupines.
Of course, anywhere there are flowers. we can expect at least a few insects and with them come stories.
Story 1.
Up first we have a bee. It is simply sitting quietly in a desert marigold flower, not moving at all. This actually tells me a lot about the bee.
Let’s take a closer look. Perhaps you can see the drops of dew on the antennae and wings. This bee has been sitting here for quite a long time.
But no worries, it is fine.
I should say, he is fine because two things from this photograph tell me this is a male bee. Can you tell why? Think about it. I will give the answer at the bottom.
Story 2.
There’s a different development going on over at the brittle bush plant.
Do you recognize this insect with its head in the center of the flower?
That is a ladybug larva. It may be feeding on a bit of pollen from the flower because ladybird beetles and their larvae do eat some pollen, especially to get through times when their favorite food isn’t available.
But they should be able to find their favorite food soon. Not far away sits a winged aphid, also called an alate. In no time there will be more aphids to eat!
Yes, there are stories to be found on spring wildflowers.
Answer to question above:
The clues the bee is a male are
1. It is sleeping overnight in a flower. Females of this kind of digger bee sleep overnight in their burrow.
2. It has longish hairs on its middle legs. The Washington Native Bee Society has some great photos of another species of male bees with these distinctive long hairs on their legs.
What have you found in your yard or neighborhood this week?
