Pollinator Month
Pollinator Month
Pollinator Month
The winning entry in the pollinator photo contest is shown at the left. Our judges liked that it showed two pollinators, the silver spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) on the left, and the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) on the right. It's pretty cool because if you zoom in on the beetle, you can actually see the defining feature for this species. Both the genus name and the species name refer to the fact that the beetle has four eyes--one on top and one under each antenna.
The winning entry in the pollinator photo contest is shown at the left. Our judges liked that it showed two pollinators, the silver spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) on the left, and the red milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus) on the right. It's pretty cool because if you zoom in on the beetle, you can actually see the defining feature for this species. Both the genus name and the species name refer to the fact that the beetle has four eyes--one on top and one under each antenna.
These plants are part of a Friends milkweed citizen science project; you can read more about that on the milkweed page.
These plants are part of a Friends milkweed citizen science project; you can read more about that on the milkweed page.
Here's another look at the four-eyed milkweed beetle, also from Kerri Ward. This insect is in a group of beetles called longhorn beetles because of their long antennae, which you can see really well here. It's actually not clear that they do much pollination for milkweeds. They do certainly eat the leaves of the plants, which is probably a good thing because milkweed spreads a lot. There are also reports that the beetles make a squeaking sound if you pick them up! Go ahead and try, they won't hurt you.
Here's another look at the four-eyed milkweed beetle, also from Kerri Ward. This insect is in a group of beetles called longhorn beetles because of their long antennae, which you can see really well here. It's actually not clear that they do much pollination for milkweeds. They do certainly eat the leaves of the plants, which is probably a good thing because milkweed spreads a lot. There are also reports that the beetles make a squeaking sound if you pick them up! Go ahead and try, they won't hurt you.
This runner-up entry from George Manos shows a great view of the bee in the process of getting nectar from a bee-balm flower. The picture was taken at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, in the Nature Sanctuary garden.
This runner-up entry from George Manos shows a great view of the bee in the process of getting nectar from a bee-balm flower. The picture was taken at West Laurel Hill Cemetery, in the Nature Sanctuary garden.