Pollinator Posts by May Chen

I walk the path along the shore at Bay Farm Island this clear, warm morning. The Oregon Gumweed, Grindelia stricta is in bloom and abuzz with insect life.   A Cellophane Bee, Colletes sp. (family

I seek clean air and coolness at the Padre Picnic Area in Tilden Regional Parks this morning.   The place looks quite different from the last time I visited.  The vegetation has all turned brown.

A small, chunky fly lands momentarily on a leaf.  iNaturalist has helped identify it as a Tiger Fly, Coenosia tigrina (family Muscidae). The Tiger Fly, Coenosia tigrina (family Muscidae) is also known as Hunter Fly or Killer

The night-blooming flowers of Datura are fast fading in the morning heat.  There doesn’t seem to be any bee activity on these giant moth-pollinated flowers today.  But look, there’ a tiny insect near the tip

I arrive at the East Bay Regional Parks Botanic Garden early this morning while it is still cool, in the hopes of avoiding insect pandemonium when the temperatures rise. There are already insects buzzing around

All the insect activity in the native garden at Crab Cove is concentrated around the buckwheats right now.  In the far end of the garden by the Crown Memorial Beach parking lot, I stand by

I am back at Crab Cove for an afternoon walk with Fred.   The large shrubs of St. Catherine’s Lace, Eriogonum giganteum near the visitor center are a center of insect activity right now.  The

I scan for insects on the plants that spill onto the salt marsh beyond the neighbors’ private gardens.  These predominantly non-native ornamentals add some welcome color along the trail.  Hey, look, the petals of those

The blooming Oregon Gumweed, Grindelia stricta brightens up a gloomy, sunless morning at the salt marsh south of the Elsie Roemer Bird Sanctuary, Alameda.   A small Weevil (family Curculionidae) is roaming the florets on

Lavender seems to be a very popular garden plant in this residential neighborhood of Alameda.  Here a male Summer Longhorn Bee, Melissodes sp. (family Apidae) is taking nectar from one of the inconspicuous flowers on

I am taking my walk in a leafy neighborhood in south eastern Alameda.  Just about all plants in the gardens here are non-native ornamentals.  I am curious to see what kind of insects live here. 

This robust, sprawling patch of Everlasting Pea, Lathyrus latifolius has been blooming for a while along the shore, but I never seem to see much insect activity on these showy flowers.   The plant is

I next move on to Bay Farm Island and walk a short stretch of the trail along Shoreline Park.  I am glad that the park has left some of the Bristly Oxtongue, Helminthotheca echioides in

I take my walk this morning in a leafy neighborhood of Alameda.  Most of the gardens along Thompson Ave. are planted with non-native ornamentals, but sometimes I do come across some nice insect surprises.  

The Oregon Gumweed, Grindelia stricta on the upper salt marsh have come into bloom. I am assured of a good morning “bugging” here! A male Western Leafcutter Bee, Megachile perihirta (family Megachilidae) is foraging on

I spend some time exploring the restored sand dunes of Alameda Beach this morning.  Several of the plants are currently in peak bloom, including buckwheats (Eriogonum), and the Coastal Sagebrush, Artemisia pycnocephala.  A female Fine

As I look up, I spot a dark insect enter a Tall Evening Primrose flower and head for nectar at the base.   As the bee emerges it clings to the stamens for a moment.

Air quality has improved significantly, and I am happy to be able to visit Shoreline Park on Bay Farm Island this morning.   I walk the narrow trail right along the shoreline.  The hardy Oregon

I discover to my delight that the two small, partially hidden shrubs of St. Catherine’s Lace, Eriogonum giganteum in the far corner of Crab Cove’s demonstration garden are in bloom, or have been for a

I check on the curbside native plantingings near the visitor center at Crab Cove. That’s the fuzzy, heart-shaped face of a Cellophane Bee, Colletes sp. (family Colletidae) on the inflorescence of St. Catherine’s Lace, Eriogonum

That appears to be a Tripartite Sweat Bee on the Armenian Blackberry flower, Rubus armeniacus….  … until it turns around and I see its eyes.  They are a mottled gray color! This is not the

Andy, Ron and I have planned to visit Jewel Lake in Tilden Regional Park this morning.  While waiting for the others at the Little Farm parking lot,  I check on the Armenian Blackberry, Rubus armeniacus

Small iridescent blue beetles are feeding on the flower buds of Antioch Dunes Buckwheat, Eriogonum nudum var. psychicola.  These are Metallic Flea Beetles, Altica sp.(family Chrysomelidae). Members of the family Chrysomelidae are commonly known as Leaf

Yike, there’s a male Pacific Coast Tick, Dermacentor occidentalis (family Ixodidae) questing on the tip of a grass blade.  And I thought I am safe from ticks in a botanic garden! Ticks pick a place