Andrena ziziae, f, face, Iowa
Study Opp. Here is an appropriately named bee. Andrena ziziae. It is a specialist on...Zizia (Golden Alexanders or its 2 sisters (presumably)). Now Zizia is widely planted, but is Andrena ziziae benefiting? Does it leave its wildish landscapes to move into the mulch puddles of its pollen plant that now dot suburbia? [Side bar. Like in the old days where marks and signs were used to identify safe houses for repressed groups who were on the lam, the presence of a Zizia planting in your yard identifies you (at least to me) as a gentle progressive and makes me smile] So, back to the original point. It would be interesting to check out all these plantings to see if any of them are fraternizing with this bee. Just so you know, this is a small bee, about 1/2 the size of the honey bee. Wimpy sting too, can't even penetrate a baby's skin. This bee was collected by Ai Wen in Iowa and the photo taken by Cole Cheng.
We Are Made One with What We Touch and See
We are resolved into the supreme air,
We are made one with what we touch and see,
With our heart's blood each crimson sun is fair,
With our young lives each spring impassioned tree
Flames into green, the wildest beasts that range
The moor our kinsmen are, all life is one, and all is change.
- Oscar Wilde. Original public domain image from Flickr