December 2024

Syrphus vitripennis – Aphid Predator

2025-01-03T09:17:32+01:00

Syrphus vitripennis Aphid Predator     This insect is a Dipteran ("relative" of flies) and belongs to the Syrphidae family. Like most Syrphids, it has a yellow and black pattern to mimic more dangerous insects, such as wasps, discouraging predators. It is a common insect in the countryside and forests; adults feed on nectar and lay their eggs near aphid colonies. When the eggs hatch, the larvae voraciously feed on aphids using their sucking mouthparts. They play a significant role in biological pest control.     Did you know?     Like other Syrphids, Syrphus vitripennis is an aerial acrobat: [...]

Syrphus vitripennis – Aphid Predator2025-01-03T09:17:32+01:00

Not all flowers are the same for pollinators!

2025-01-03T09:10:22+01:00

Not all flowers are the same for pollinators! The combination of various features, such as shape, color, and ease of access to pollen and nectar, makes each flower more or less suitable for specific types of insects. For example, open-corolla flowers, like buttercups , offer pollen and nectar in an easily accessible way to a wide variety of pollinators, from bees to flies . On the other hand, flowers with a more complex corolla , such as common sage, hide their resources behind an elaborate structure: only certain insects with specific adaptations can reach the nectar. This selectivity creates a [...]

Not all flowers are the same for pollinators!2025-01-03T09:10:22+01:00

Field Thistle An attraction for butterflies!

2024-12-10T10:52:47+01:00

Field Thistle An attraction for butterflies!   The field thistle (Cirsium arvense, family Asteraceae) is a spiny herbaceous plant that can reach a height of 150 cm. It is commonly found in fields, along roadsides, and in uncultivated grassy areas. Its flowers, clustered in lilac-colored flower heads , emit a sweet musky fragrance that attracts butterflies . In midsummer, various butterfly species can often be seen resting on the flowers, acting as pollinators.   Most Cirsium arvense plants produce only male or only female flowers. To ensure pollination, male and female plants need to grow close enough so that pollinating [...]

Field Thistle An attraction for butterflies!2024-12-10T10:52:47+01:00
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