It has been an interesting season for insects, with visits from species I’ve never seen in this garden. I expect the changing climate patterns have created favourable conditions for some of these new visitors. I’ve enjoyed a mated pair of ebony jewelwings (Calopteryx maculata), broad-winged damselflies that resemble dragonflies. The male grows two inches (5 cm) long and makes a … [Read more...] about Pollinator report: Dragonflies, damselflies and bees
butterflies
Seeking enthusiastic pollinators
Warm, bright days burst open tree and shrub buds, and bring out flowers on many of the spring bulbs. And with the flowers have come clouds of pollinators — bees of several kinds, small and large wasps, various flies and even some butterflies. A lovely mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa) was seen floating through the garden, coming to land on the deck in a patch of morning … [Read more...] about Seeking enthusiastic pollinators
Anise hyssop for busy bees
This has been a good summer for the three clumps of anise hyssop (Agastache cvs.) in my front garden. Anise hyssop is a generous producer of potent nectar, and that fits right in with my interest in the honey bees, butterflies, hummingbirds and tiny hover wasps that work so hard pollinating the vegetables, grains and fruits for our table. I always hear a slight buzz in the … [Read more...] about Anise hyssop for busy bees
The flittering and fluttering of butterflies
After yesterday’s sunny warmth, flower buds are opening with the speed of time-lapse photography. I could actually watch the blossoms spring open on my weeping ‘Red Jade’ crabapple. The tree is now covered by dozens of red admiral butterflies (Vanessa atalanta), competing with bumblebees for nectar and doing a terrific job of pollinating the flowers. The tree is quivering with … [Read more...] about The flittering and fluttering of butterflies
Hummers and monarchs
My husband called out from the garden yesterday — the hummingbird had returned and was buzzing around in a rose of Sharon shrub. I quickly grabbed a kettle and began boiling water to mix up a sugar solution for the little guy. The hummer stops here in late spring on his way north, and again on his way back south. I also saw a couple of monarch butterflies indulging … [Read more...] about Hummers and monarchs
