Near here there’s an old field now planted to switchgrass, one of the warm season grasses, that grows best in the hot summer weather. On the edge of the field is a patch of ox-eye daisies that measures about 15 feet long and ten feet wide. Ox-eye daisies aren’t a native species (the species is native to Europe) but it’s widespread, growing in fields, pastures and disturbed sites where the flowers produce large quantities of pollen making them very attractive to most pollinating insects. They also attract insects that feed on nectar and insects that eat other insects.
On a summer morning I spent about a half hour watching and photographing the insects that visited this patch of daisies. Here they are:
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Soon the daisy flowers will be finished blooming and they'll go to seed – the insects will have to find pollen elsewhere.
What a lovely post! I like watching for bugs on one plant. Such a variety.
ReplyDeleteGreat collection! Must have taken a lot of patient observation.
ReplyDeleteGreat series and captures of the insects. I love the daisies.
ReplyDeleteThank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
That weevil is a crazy looking fellow! And that's the wonderful thing about getting home with photos and looking up close at what you couldn't quite make out. Beautiful pics!
ReplyDeleteWow, a very nice set of photos from watching a patch of daisies for just one half hour. Enjoyed them all.
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