Andrena nida, F, Left, MD, Prince George's county
Most people don't realize how important willow trees are to our native bees in North America. They are a major pollen and nectar source early in the spring and they have more specialists than almost any other plant on the continent. Here is one of those specialists. This is Andrena nida. This bee feed it's young only the pollen from Willow. It is also unusual in that it has only two submarginal cells rather than the normal three, not that almost anyone is counting. So, consider planting willows, particularly the shrubby ones, in your wetlands and your small damp areas in your yards and properties, it doesn't take much to do something good for the environment if you're planting native plants. Picture by Brooke Alexander.
Beauty is truth, truth beauty - that is all
Ye know on earth and all ye need to know
" Ode on a Grecian Urn"
John Keats. Original public domain image from Flickr