Plant Pollination

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.

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

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

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