Plant Pollination and Reproduction
Bee Fly [Bombylius major], drinking nectar and in the act pollinating Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens]. Dauphin County, Pa. 4-14-24
Although it is possible for the flowers of Trailing Arbutus [Epigaea repens] to be a perfect flower [having both male and female parts] most are unisex, having either male of female parts. In fact most groups of plants and their flowers are one sex or another. Pictured below is the female with its star shaped apparatus that is open and ready to receive pollen, pictured above is the male with its pollen producing structures. The amazing world of just one tiny spring flower and its fascinating strategy for reproducing.
Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24.
Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24.
Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24.
Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24. Notice the grains of pollen on its leg as it has come in contact with a stamen.
Miner Bee [Anthophora abrupta] pollinating Sharp Lobed Hepatica [Hepatica americana var. acuta]. Tioga County, Pa. 4-9-24. Notice the grains of pollen on its legs and face and antenna.
Orange Belted\ Tri colored Bumblebee [Bombus ternarius] pollinating an aster. Coos County, N.H.
The achenes or fruit contain a single seed, in this case the seed of Blue Stemmed Goldenrod [Solidago caesia]. At the achenes apex is the pappus which is made up of tiny hairs, which in turn help to distribute and disperse the achenes, and thus the seed, far and wide on the wind. Aren't plants just amazing! Tioga County, Pa. 12-8-23
Bumblebee [Bombus, a known pollinator of this plant] and Sweat Bee [Augochlorella aurata]. Searching fo nectar on the last remaining flowers of Nodding Ladies Tresses [Spiranthes cernua]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-3-23
Bumble Bee [Bombus] on Blue Wood Aster [Symphyotrichu cordifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 10-11-23
Indian Grass [Sorghastrum nutas] in flower. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-22-23. The white feathery parts are the stigmas
Three Lined Moth [Schinia trifascia]. on Blue Mist flower [conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23. A possible pollinator for this plant.
Three Lined Moth [Schinia trifascia]. on Blue Mist flower [conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23. A possible pollinator for this plant.
Sweat Bee [Augochlorella aurata] on Blue Mist Flower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23. You can see the tiny grains of pollen trapped in the tiny hairs on its legs
Sweat Bee [Augochlorella aurata] on Blue Mist Flower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23
Sweat Bee [Augochlorella aurata] on Blue Mist Flower [Conoclinium coelestinum]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-29-23
Spotted Nomad Bee [Nomanda maculata] pollinating Wild sasaparilla [Aralia nudicaulis]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-9-23
Spotted Nomad Bee [Nomada maculata] pollinating Dwarf Ginseng [Panax trifolius]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-23
Spotted Nomad Bee [Nomada maculata] pollinating Dwarf Ginseng [Panax trifolius]. Dauphin County, Pa. 5-6-23
Bumble Bee [Bombus impatiens] pollinating Narrow Leaved Mountain Mint [Pycnanthemum tenuifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-3-23
Bumble Bee [Bombus impatiens] pollinating Narrow Leaved Mountain Mint [Pycnanthemum tenuifolium]. Dauphin County, Pa. 8-3-23
One of my favorite flowers is the tiny Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata], a cousin to the beautiful Cardinal Flower [Lobelia cardinalis] . I often wondered what could be pollinating this small beauty. While photographing this wildflower recently a tiny unfamiliar insect appeared going from flower to flower placing its proboscis deep into each flower. Looking like a tiny dragonfly this tiny insect , called a Thick Headed Fly [Stylogaster neglecta], a real beauty of the insect world. Is it a pollinator of lobelia inflata, I do not know but I would say there is definitely a high probability. Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-3-23
One of my favorite flowers is the tiny Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata], a cousin to the beautiful Cardinal Flower [Lobelia cardinalis] . I often wondered what could be pollinating this small beauty. While photographing this wildflower recently a tiny unfamiliar insect appeared going from flower to flower placing its proboscis deep into each flower. Looking like a tiny dragonfly this tiny insect , called a Thick Headed Fly [Stylogaster neglecta], a real beauty of the insect world. Is it a pollinator of lobelia inflata, I do not know but I would say there is definitely a high probability. Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-3-23
One of my favorite flowers is the tiny Indian Tobacco [Lobelia inflata], a cousin to the beautiful Cardinal Flower [Lobelia cardinalis] . I often wondered what could be pollinating this small beauty. While photographing this wildflower recently a tiny unfamiliar insect appeared going from flower to flower placing its proboscis deep into each flower. Looking like a tiny dragonfly this tiny insect , called a Thick Headed Fly [Stylogaster neglecta], a real beauty of the insect world. Is it a pollinator of lobelia inflata, I do not know but I would say there is definitely a high probability. Schuylkill County, Pa. 8-3-23