GARDENING for POLLINATORS: a FAMILY AFFAIR by Rachel Campbell 11 How to Involve the Entire Family

Home , Calephelis muticum, Chlosyne lacinia, Solidago gigantea

In This Issue

Autumn A WESTERN BLUE PYGMY by Joan Fox Cover 7KLVEHDXWLIXOEXWWHUÁ\VWRSSHGWRIXHOXSRQWXUSHQWLQHLQWKHSKRWRJUDSKHU·V7XFVRQJDUGHQ

ECHOES OF CHANGE by Brigette Brown 7 An interview with Dr Winifred Frick of Bat Conservation International.

BUBBLES FOR BEES by Fanni Szakal 9 An innovative new method of pear pollination.

GARDENING FOR POLLINATORS: A FAMILY AFFAIR by Rachel Campbell 11 How to involve the entire family.

BEYOND THE HIVE by Rusty Burlew 15 $QLQWHUYLHZZLWK'U-RKQ$VFKHUDQDYLGEHHLGHQWLÀHU

NOT MY STUDIO by Jake Mosher 27 A photographer’s view of how nature and our night sky connect.

GOLDENROD by Nicholas Dorian 41 A plant that deserves space in your garden.

“ARCHITECT” BEES by Madeleine Ostwald 43 The incredible homes built by carpenter bees.

GREENHOUSE BUMBLE BEES by John P. Roche 46 The interactions of commercial bumble bees, pathogens, and native bees.

A BALANCING ACT by Elaine Evans 50 Wild bee conservation and managed bee health.

“I’M GONNA LET THE BUMBLE BEE BE” by Theresa Leininger-Miller 54 Comic American Bumble Bee Songs, 1901-1925.

CROWN BEES by Olivia Box 61 Bringing native bees to backyards.

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY TO PLANT LIFE by Jazmin Murphy 63 How the coyote helps plant biodiversity thrive.

1 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS

In This Issue

SOCIAL BUZZ by Cindy Fleet 67 Our arts & culture column features wildlife artist Louise McNaught.

WHAT’S BUGGING by Rusty Burlew 71 The curious tale of a toxic trio.

A MOONLIT GARDEN by Anita Stone 73 How to attract nighttime pollinators to your garden.

TASTING THE TERROIR by C. Marina Marchese 76 Join an eminent honey connoisseur as she walks us through how to properly taste honey.

YOU NEED MORE THAN JUST FLOWERS by Bryan Reynolds 84 ,I\RXZDQWWRDWWUDFWEXWWHUÁLHVWR\RXUJDUGHQ\RXQHHGWRFUHDWHDQHFRV\VWHP

TO GROW A RARE PLANT GO BACK TO ITS ROOTS by Elizabeth Thompson 91 The tiny island of Mauritius sends a rare plant emissary to the US.

BEES OF BLUE by Kit Prendergast 95 A native bee scientist explains how some bees get their striking color.

REVISTING CARLINVILLE by Rebecca E. Hirsch 101 How a small town in Illinois provides import insight into insect declines.

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Social Media 2 Million Blossoms is printed by Modern Litho using vegetable-based facebook.com/2MBlossoms inks onto paper which has been sourced from well-managed and sus- ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ ŝțȱȱęȱȱȱ instagram.com/2MillionBlossoms ȱ ȱȱțȱȱ ȱȬȬ¢țȱę- twitter.com/2MBlossoms cations. This magazine was printed using wind powered electricity. 2 EDITORIAL

A Brief Word

hat a long way we’ve come! 2 Million Blos- Despite a pandemic, we’ve been growing our subscrib- soms has survived and thriYHG LQ LWV ÀUVW er base steadily. This has been much harder than usual, as year of publication due to enthusiastic read- all of our live events were canceled in 2020. If you have a ers like you. Everyone says print is dead, but gardening buddy, a pollinator enthusiast, or a friend interest- hereW we are proving them wrong. You’re holding our 4th and ed in sustainability, let them know about us. Word-of-mouth ÀQDOLVVXHRI LQ\RXUKDQGV7KDQN\RXVRPXFKIRU is critical to small businesses. Every new subscription really being part of the journey. does mean the world to us. We’ve brought back our Holiday A huge shout-out to all of our early subscribers, espe- Shopping Made Easy: 4 gift subscriptions for $100. cially the ones that believed in us from the very beginning We ran a survey to learn more about what you, our read- and contributed to our successful Kickstarter campaign. We ers, like about the magazine and where we can improve. We could not have done it without you. My sincere thanks and learned that over 90% of our readers have a garden and over gratitude. I have learned so much about running an indepen- 80% have been gardening for 10+ years. They love the ar- dent magazine during this year. Each issue has taken shape ticles written by scientists and want more how-to pieces to through long hours at my keyboard. I’ve worked closely with improve pollinator habitat. If you didn’t get a chance to par- my contributors to help them craft the best possible stories. ticipate and would like to tell us about what you want to read, Although we look slick, we’re a scrappy, little publication visit: www.2millionblossoms.com/news/readersurvey. that pours all of our funding into our writers, photographers, We listened. This issue contains numerous articles by sci- cartoonists, and the quality of our print production. A mag- HQWLVWVDSLHFHRQQHZUHVHDUFKÀQGLQJVUHJDUGLQJEXPEOH azine is only ever as good as its writers. Quality writing costs bees by Dr. Elaine Evans, an article on the amazing architec- time and energy. We thank our contributors for being part of ture of carpenter bees by graduate student Madeleine Ost- this pollinator publication. One subscriber recently wrote to wald, and an article on the role of coyotes as seed dispersers tell me “These magazines are so well done, I will be saving by scientist Jazmin Murphy. We also bring you two inter- WKHPIRUP\JUDQGFKLOGUHQµ6RRIÀFLDOO\ZH·UHDQKHLUORRP views, speaking with Dr. Winifred Frick to learn more about As the founder and editor, I of course see all the things the work of Bat Conservation International, plus Rusty Bur- that could still be improved. But we seem to hit a good bal- OHZLQWHUYLHZVEHHLGHQWLÀHUH[WUDRUGLQDLUH'U-RKQ$VFKHU ance of articles in each issue. Our goal has always been to in- in her “Beyond the Hive” column. spire, inform, and entertain, so that each issue can be dipped To satisfy the how-to advocates, we’re bringing you four into lightly or enjoyed at length for a serious read. We try to articles on gardening for pollinators. One is on planting a make the articles both eye-catching and informative, so that moonlit garden to attract night pollinators. Then we have a they tickle the curiosity of anyone who happens to see an ORYHO\SLHFHE\RXUÀHOGUHSRUWHU%U\DQ5H\QROGVRQKRZWR issue lying around on a coffee table somewhere. LQFRUSRUDWHEXWWHUÁ\KDELWDWLQWR\RXUJDUGHQ5DFKHO&DPS- :HVLQFHUHO\KRSH\RX·YHHQMR\HGWKHÀUVW\HDURI SXE- bell talks about getting the entire family involved in pollina- lication. We’ve had an overabundance of submissions and tor gardening, and bee scientist Nicholas Dorian dispels the VRWKHPDQ\JUHDWDUWLFOHVWKDWFRXOGQ·WÀWLQWRWKLVLVVXHZLOO many myths about goldenrod and lists several that are garden form the backbone of our winter issue in January 2021. If friendly. you’ve been with us since the very beginning and this is your 7KDQN\RXIRUEHLQJSDUWRI RXUÀUVW\HDURI H[LVWHQFH, IRXUWKLVVXHLW·VVDGO\DOVR\RXUÀQDOLVVXHXQOHVV\RXUHQHZ hope we walk the next few years together, working as a com- I know we all want less clutter in our lives, but consider re- munity to protect the precious pollinators that help feed us. newing. All of the money generated through subscriptions is Sincerely, poured right back into our production costs. Kirsten S. Traynor 3 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS RESUBSCRIBE TODAY

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4 NATIVE BEES Echoes of Change An interview with Dr. Winifred Frick © Winifred Frick © Winifred

by Brigette Brown Leponycteris nivalis, the greater long-nosed bat

ost of our readers are familiar with bees and 2MB: Bat Conservation International has been around for a hummingbirds as pollinators, but bats are not while. What does the organization do? as well understood. To help inform our readers about these very effective winged pollinators, WF: Bat Conservation International was started nearly 40 Mwe caught up with Dr. Winifred Frick, the internationally re- years ago. Before that, I’m not sure there was much attention nowned Chief Scientist at Bat Conservation International, a or focus on the need to protect and conserve bats. BCI has globally recognized conservation organization dedicated to played a critical role in raising awareness and advocating for ending bat extinctions. research and conservation of bats over the past four decades and we continue in that tradition today. There is now a vi- 2MB: Tell us about your professional history. How did you brant community of scientists and conservation advocates get involved working with bats, and what do you love most about your job?

Winifred Frick: I started studying bats 20 years ago in the summer of 2000. I volunteered to work with Paul Heady who was an independent consultant working on bat mitiga- tion projects in California. I fell in love with bats and with Paul. We’re now married and I’ve studied bats ever since. I went on to get my PhD studying bats at Oregon State Uni- versity and now work for Bat Conservation International. I ORYHWKHPDQ\FKDOOHQJHVRI FRQGXFWLQJÀHOGUHVHDUFKDQG FRQVHUYDWLRQ,HVSHFLDOO\ORYHÀHOGZRUNDQGKDYLQJWKHRS- portunity to travel to new places and work with people from all over the world. 7 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS you think of the iconic Arizona desert, the saguaro cactus comes to mind and that plant is pollinated by bats. So many other desert creatures depend on the cacti for food and shelter. Further-

© Richard Jackson © Richard more, Leptonycteris bats pollinate the pitaya cactus which produces a valuable fruit that is a delicacy in Mexico. In other parts of the world, like Asia, bats are known to be important pollinators of commercially valuable fruit like durian. One project we’re working on at BCI is focusing on roost protection RI WKH-DPDLFDQÁRZHUEDWDSROOLQDW- Leptonycteris yerbabuenae, the lesser long-nosed ing species that is critically endangered bat found in Central and North America and has only one known roost site left. Another project is focused on restor- that work to study, protect, and advocate for bats around the ing agave plants to provide foraging re- world. sources for the endangered Mexican long-nosed bat (Lepton- BCI is at an exciting pivot point. We just launched our ycteris nivalis) in northeastern Mexico, so that migratory bats QHZ VWUDWHJLF SODQ IRU WKH QH[W ÀYH \HDUV DQG KDYH D QHZ have plenty of nectar fuel during migration and maternity website that expresses how we’ve transformed into an orga- season. Conservation projects require knowing the species’ nization that focuses on achieving lasting conservation im- QHHGVDQGWKHHIÀFDF\RI FRQVHUYDWLRQDFWLRQV:HIRFXVRQ pact for bats through science-based conservation action. the two main aspects of bat life history: roost protection and foraging resources. 2MB: This organization’s conservation efforts concern all bats and their habitats, but what about pollinating bats? Why 2MB: The global pandemic has recently given bats a lot of are they important, what challenges do they face, and what is attention. How has this impacted your work, and what can BCI doing to help? we do to help increase our knowledge and awareness?

WF: Globally, bats are threatened by the many forces of hu- WF: 7KHUH KDV GHÀQLWHO\ EHHQ FRQFHUQ DPRQJVW EDW FRQ- man change imposed on our planet. Pollinating bats are no servation advocates about increased misunderstanding and exception. Habitat loss and degradation are serious threats backlash, but there has also been a wave of support for bats to bats. Generally, most pollinating bats occur in more trop- DQGSHRSOHVWDQGLQJXSDJDLQVWVFDSHJRDWLQJDQGXQMXVWLÀHG ical latitudes where there is a year-round supply of nectar. blame. Working on bat conservation has always involved A few species (Leptonycteris spp.) perform long-distance standing up for bats and dispelling myths and misperceptions seasonal migrations from Mexico up into the southwestern and now that responsibility is more important than ever. United States, following a nectar corridor of blooming aga- Check out Bat Conservation International’s new web- ve and columnar cacti. Those plants are especially adapted site. The more you learn about bats, the more you tend to for bat pollination by blooming at night and producing co- get excited and thrilled to see the amazing adaptations of pious amounts of nectar. These species require protection these animals. Bats play a critical role in our planet’s ecosys- and conservation attention because they depend on intact tem. People who live in the southwestern United States can landscapes and foraging opportunities during their migratory sometimes catch sight of pollinating bats as they feed at their journey. One of the remarkable parts of their life history is hummingbird feeders. There are also some great community that the females migrate when they are pregnant and arrive science opportunities in parts of the Southwest, such as the to their maternity caves just before giving birth. That means Flowers for Bats effort where people can collect data to track they are at the peak of their energetic demands during migra- ÁRZHULQJSKHQRORJ\RI DJDYHDQGFDFWLVSHFLHVIRUEDWV WLRQVRWKHWLPLQJRI WKHÁRZHULQJRI WKHLUIRRGSODQWVKDVWR be reliable to support survival and reproduction. Get involved. Help understand, protect, and enrich the Pollinating bats are vitally important to the ecosystems habitats of our nocturnal pollinators: where they live and we need to protect both the bat popu- • Visit Bat Conservation International at lations and their habitats. Leptonycteris bats are the primary www.batcon.org pollinators for some columnar cacti and the cacti in turn are • Visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Flowers for often keystone plants in Sonoran desert ecosystems. When Bats Campaign at KWWSVIZVXVDQSQRUJÁRZHUVIRUEDWV 8 DIGGING IT

Goldenrod Dorian © Nicholas A plant that deserves space in your garden

by Nicholas Dorian

utumn in New England: crisp mornings, apple cider, and county fairs. Thriving in the background of this scene—overlooked, but ubiquitous—are goldenrods, their brilliant yellow VSLUHVDGGLQJFRORUWRWLUHGURDGZD\VÀHOGVDQGZRRGODQGVA Goldenrods (Solidago, Euthamia, and Oligoneuron spp.) are a group of 100+ asters native to North America. All are pollinator powerhouses. They bloom in succession Hover flies like Toxomerus geminatus from June through October, providing sustenance and shel- can be found drinking nectar on goldenrods WHUIRUSROOLQDWLQJLQVHFWVORQJDIWHUWKHÁRZHUODGHQGD\VRI summer have passed. Yet, there’s a sizeable anti-goldenrod faction, comprised Goldenrods for your Garden of those that suffer from hay fever and those that like to For every goldenrod species that’s weedy, however, keep their gardens tidy. This mentality results in fewer gold- there’s at least one that’s tidy. Take blue-stemmed goldenrod enrods planted and, as a result, insect pollinators surely go and zig-zag goldenrod that spread slowly in shade and partial hungry. But it’s misplaced: goldenrod pollen doesn’t make sun. Or showy goldenrod and seaside goldenrod that form you sneeze, and only some goldenrods are unkempt. Since elegant clumps in well-draining soil. If you have wet con- disdain is unwarranted, goldenrods deserve a place in the ditions, try swamp goldenrod. And if you already have too garden. PDQ\\HOORZÁRZHUVLQ\RXUIDOOJDUGHQDGGFRQWUDVWZLWK the cream-white blooms of silverrod. A Case of Mistaken Identity Many goldenrod cultivars have tidy growth habits, too, Goldenrods can’t make you sneeze. They are animal-pol- but not all provide high quality resources for pollinators. One linated, meaning their pollen is big and sticky so that it can cultivar that does is wrinkleleaf goldenrod ‘Fireworks.’ Pol- be carried by insects, not the wind. The real culprit of hay linators love it and, true to its name, it adds a pop of color, fever is ragweed pollen, which is dry and easily picked up by texture and intrigue to any planting. a breeze, tickling our sinuses and making us sneeze. The two By choosing to plant goldenrods, you support numer- SODQWVJURZLQVLPLODURSHQKDELWDWVDQGÁRZHULQIDOOEXW RXVLQVHFWSROOLQDWRUV³EHHVEHHWOHVEXWWHUÁLHVPRWKVDQG UDJZHHGSURGXFHVJUHHQQHFWDUOHVVÁRZHUVZKLFKDUHQHYHU wasps—that depend on it. attractive to insects. Although goldenrods also get a bad reputation for be- Insect Magnet LQJXQUXO\RQO\VRPHVSHFLHVDUHXQÀWIRUJDUGHQV&DQDGD Goldenrods feed 37 species of specialist bees, like goldenrod, giant goldenrod, and grass-leaved goldenrod are hairy-banded mining bees and goldenrod cellophane bees, indeed quick to colonize open land and, once established, that require goldenrod pollen to complete their life cycles. sprawl unchecked via wind-dispersed seeds and underground Queen bumble bees and honey bees, too, feed on goldenrod rhizomes. These species should be avoided in backyard gar- to build up fat reserves before winter. dens, but are suitable for large meadow plantings, rain gar- %HHWOHVDOVRÀQGPHDOVRQJROGHQURG/RFXVWERUHUVFRQ- dens, or roadside restorations. sume the protein-rich pollen whereas goldenrod soldier bee- 41 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS

Bloom Height Common Name Species Name Growth Habit Ideal Garden Time (ft) Early goldenrod Solidago juncea Jun-Aug 3-6 Clump Any garden, sandy soils Gray goldenrod Solidago nemoralis Jun-Oct 1-3 Clump Rock garden, poor soils Missouri goldenrod Solidago missouriensis Jul-Sep 1-3 Weedy Rain garden, riverbank Swamp goldenrod Solidago patula Jul-Sep 1-3 Slow spread, Rain garden, riverbank likes wetlands Grass-leaved goldenrod* Euthamia graminifolia Jul-Sep 2-4 Weedy Meadow Showy goldenrod Solidago speciosa Jul-Sep 1-3 Clump Any garden Anise-scented goldenrod Solidago odora Jul-Oct 2-4 Clump, fragrant leaves Any garden, sandy soils Zig-zag goldenrod Solidago flexicaullis Aug-Sep 2-4 Clump Any garden, tolerates shade Stiff goldenrod Oligoneuron rigida Aug-Sep 3-5 Weedy, upright Meadow, sandy soils Silverrod Solidago bicolor Aug-Sep 1-3 Slow, white flowers Any garden Ohio goldenrod Solidago ohioensis Aug-Sep 3-4 Clump Any garden Hairy goldenrod Solidago hispida Aug-Oct 1-3 Slow, few stems Any garden Wrinkleleaf goldenrod S. rugosa ‘Fireworks’ Aug-Oct 4-5 Clump, slow spread Any garden ‘Fireworks’ Seaside goldenrod Solidago sempervirens Aug-Oct 3-6 Clump, slow spread Any garden, tolerates salt, roadsides Blue-stemmed goldenrod Solidago caesia Aug-Oct 1-3 Clump Any garden, tolerates shade Giant goldenrod* Solidago gigantea Aug-Oct 3-6 Weedy Meadow, rain garden Canada goldenrod* Solidago canadensis Aug-Oct 3-6 Weedy Meadow, rain garden *These weedy goldenrod species are invasive outside of their native range. In Europe, unchecked spread of Canada goldenrod displaces native vegetation by shading out shorter plants and inhibiting seed germination. In some places, this displacement has been linked to losses in pollinator diversity. tles snack on aphids. Blister beetles drink nectar, but also de- Parasitic wasps take advantage of this abundance of prey SRVLWHJJVRQWKHÁRZHUV2QFHKDWFKHGEOLVWHUEHHWOHODUYDH in a different way. They lay eggs, and their larvae subsequent- catch a ride on a solitary bee back to her nest. There, they ly develop, in the homes of other insects. Some parasitic disembark, kill the bee offspring, and develop on the pollen wasps lay eggs in goldenrod galls, which are swollen stems provisions. FRQWDLQLQJDÁ\ODUYD2WKHUVRQO\XVHJROGHQURGVIRUQHFWDU *ROGHQURGVVXSSRUWPRUHEXWWHUÁLHVDQGPRWKVWKDQDQ\ and deposit their eggs into the nearby nests of solitary bees. other perennial forb: 115 species of Lepidoptera eat golden- Importantly, patches of goldenrod provide relief for in- URGOHDYHVDQGVKRRWV&RXQWOHVVÁLHVJUDVVKRSSHUVWKULSV sects on the move. Adult monarch and painted lady butter- and true bugs (e.g. aphids and stink bugs) devour goldenrod ÁLHVUHO\RQJROGHQURGQHFWDUGXULQJWKHLUDQQXDOPLJUDWLRQV as well, meaning individual plants teem with insect life. Occasionally, they’ll spend cool nights hanging from the un- This menu of tasty insects attracts wasps. Predatory dersides of the leaves. As such, goldenrod is likely vital to the wasps, like paper wasps and potter wasps, hunt vulnerable, existence of these impressive migrations. soft-bodied insects on goldenrod. While planning their next attack, they refuel on nectar and rest on stems. Plant Away It is time to give goldenrods a place in the garden. To help you select the perfect species for your planting, I’ve collated Monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus) depend on a list of goldenrod species native to the eastern US that are energy-rich nectar from seaside goldenrod during also available in the horticulture trade. Quickly, goldenrod their long migrations will become a mainstay in your fall garden, its bright, graceful ÁRZHUVLOOXPLQDWLQJWKHVKRUWHQLQJGD\VXQWLOH[WLQJXLVKHG by frost. You’ll wonder why you hadn’t planted it earlier, and the insects will thank you, which is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Nicholas Dorian is a PhD student at Tufts University studying the ecology of cellophane bees. He is curious about what they eat, how far they ﬂy, and why some offspring take longer to develop than others. He is an avid naturalist and photographer, and likes to share what he knows about © Nicholas Dorian © Nicholas birds and bees to anyone willing to listen. 42 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS

A Balancing Act Wild Bee Conservation and Managed Bee Health by Elaine Evans

n 2020, people around the globe have been impacted and undisturbed areas for nesting. Often there isn’t enough by movement of the COVID-19 virus. We have seen of this crucial habitat surrounding large acreages of pollina- how travel can move pathogens great distances, and tor-dependent crops. Growers must often rely on managed how places where many people congregate can be- bees including honey bees, bumble bees, and solitary bees Icome hubs of transmission. These hard lessons of patho- VXFKDVPDVRQEHHVWKDWDUHUDLVHGVSHFLÀFDOO\IRUWKHSXU- gen spread and globalization are not new to those paying pose of crop pollination. Managed bees allow us to bring in attention to bees. As people have moved honey bees around more bees than the habitat naturally supports to pollinate the world, their pathogens and pests have moved with them, FURSVWKDWSURGXFHKXJHQXPEHUVRI ÁRZHUVIRUOLPLWHGSH- sometimes switching to new hosts that lack immunity or a riods of time. Picture an almond orchard stretching as far means of control. Human-aided bee movement has the po- as the eye can see covered in pink blossoms. This is a feast tential to impact both wild bee conservation and managed for bees, but when the bloom is over, beekeepers take their bee health. bees elsewhere; nothing else is blooming. The two to three Both wild (living on their own) and managed (tended to week boon of blossoms rapidly turns into a food desert for by people) bees pollinate our food. To thrive, wild bees need pollinators. EHHVXSSRUWLQJKDELWDWLQFOXGLQJDEXQGDQWGLYHUVHÁRZHUV The overall result of large monocropping and managed pollination is production of human food, but the method requires us to meet one imbalance—crops out of balance with bee-supporting habitat—with another—managed bees out of balance with the wild bee community. Recent years have seen an increase in efforts to address the imbalance between crops and bee-supporting habitat. But balance is a distant goal in many agricultural areas where little room is left for plants other than crops. This is slowly changing. There is increasing interest in creating habitat for bees, even in intensive agricultural crop areas, due to clear evidence of positive impacts of ÁRZHUDEXQGDQFHDQGGLYHUVLW\RQWKHKHDOWK and diversity of all bees, along with improved A bumble bee foraging on lavender pollination. 50 SOUNDBYTES OF SCIENCE In contrast, issues resulting from the imbalance between managed and wild bees are largely unaddressed. There are still many ques- tions about the impacts of disease and genetic spillover and how we can mitigate these risks. Potential negative impacts of managed bees RQ ZLOG EHHV LQFOXGH FRPSHWLWLRQ IRU ÁRUDO and nesting resources, changes in plant communities, disease spillover from managed to wild bees, and loss of local genetic adaptation. I’m highlighting results from recent research on two of these potential impacts: disease spillover and loss of local genetic adaptation. Because managing bees requires gathering them in larger numbers than they would occur naturally, managed bees are more Bumble bees and a honey bee sharing the same sunflower likely to carry diseases. In addition, managed bees are often moved great distances across pesticides and pressures from multiple pathogens, before we and outside of their native range. This movement creates can understand impacts on wild populations. It will be good the possibility for the introduction of genes from individu- news for wild bees if the lack of impact of honey bee viruses als that are not adapted to local conditions in addition to the on bumble bee survival hold true in situations that are closer introduction of species into new areas. to the reality of bee’s every day experience. We should also Risks from the interaction of wild and managed bees look at the rate of transmission in the opposite direction: were explored in two recent articles: “Experimental infec- are wild bees increasing risk of honey bee infection by being tion of bumblebees with honeybee-associated viruses” by carriers of honey bee associated diseases? Tehel et. al 2020 and “Safeguarding the genetic integrity of Bumble bees, mason bees, leafcutter bees, and others native pollinators requires stronger regulations on commer- reared in abundance for pollination should all be examined as cial lines” by Bartomeus et. al 2020. Results from these proj- potential sources of pathogen transmission. Honey bees are HFWVFRXOGKHOSLQJXVPRYHIRUZDUGWRÀQGEDODQFHEHWZHHQ more widespread and abundant than other managed bees, our need for managed bees and the needs of wild bees. but they are not the only source of disease from managed 5HVHDUFKLQWKHVVKRZHGWKDWÁRZHUVFDQVHUYHDV bees. We know that some wild bumble bee populations are hubs of pathogen transmission (see Durrer and Schmid- on the brink of extinction. To protect these and other de- Hempel 1994), but it is only recently that we have started clining pollinator populations, the best course of action is to WRH[DPLQHWKHLPSDFWWKLVKDVRQZLOGEHHVVKDULQJÁRZHUV limit exposure to pathogen spillover from all managed bees. with managed bees, particularly honey bees. Honey bee as- Possible action steps available currently include: sociated diseases have been found to be present and sur- • monitoring and treatment of disease in managed viving within the bodies of other species of bees visiting bees WKHVDPHÁRZHUSDWFKHV2QHSX]]OHSLHFHZHDUHPLVVLQJ • regulation of managed bees in areas housing vul- is what impact pathogen spillover has on wild bee survival. nerable bee communities Tehel et al. (2020) have taken us a step along the road. • access to information on the movement of man- They examined pathogen transmission from managed to aged bees to enable contact tracing in the event of wild bees by experimentally infecting bumble bees with disease transmission, similar to how Covid-19 trac- honey bee-associated viruses. Though they did see evidence ing is conducted in Germany, New Zealand, Singa- of the injected viruses replicating in bumble bees, they did pore, and other countries not see any effects on survival. To lower the risk of pathogen spillover, the movement Anja Tehel and collaborators recognize that their ex- of some managed bees can be restricted so they can only periment didn’t replicate the complications of the natural be moved within their native range, but there may be other world, where many different factors, including food avail- consequences of this movement. Reproductive bees from ability, pesticide exposure, and the presence of multiple managed populations that mate with their wild counterparts pathogens, can alter a bee’s ability to combat infections. could be introducing genes into wild populations that nega- The lack of impact of the examined viruses on bumble bee tively impact the success of future generations. survival does not mean that spillover of honey bee asso- Moving managed bees within their native range can still ciated diseases to bumble bees poses no risk. We need to mean moving them into areas that have widely differing cli- examine the effects of diseases in combination with other mates and environments. For example, the common eastern stress factors bees typically face, which includes exposure to 51 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS If hybridization reduces the vigor of the local populations, the effects could be extending far beyond the areas where managed bees are being used, seeping into parks and areas meant to conserve natural diversity. Sim- ilar concerns of loss of local genetic adaptation have been raised for other bees impacted by their managed counterparts, including loss of adaptation in local wild honey bee populations from exposure to managed honey bee colonies. One solution is to produce managed bees from local genetic lines. Producers of native plants are acutely aware of the impacts of introduction of non-local genotypes and have created an industry that includes many local producers. We could create a network of local producers that rear and supply locally-adapted managed bees. Beekeepers are moving toward such a goal with many producing queens and packages of bees locally instead of importing them from distant regions. The bumble bee industry has moved in the opposite bumble bee, Bombus impatiens, is native to both Florida, direction. Commercial rearing of bumble bees is limited where temperatures rarely dip below freezing, and Michigan, to a handful of locations globally, resulting in transportation which usually has below-freezing temperatures from No- of bumble bee colonies across broad areas. Until we have vember to March. It is likely that the Michigan and Florida local or regional production lines, the best way to deter hy- populations of this same species have local adaptations to bridization between commercial and wild bumble bees is to maximize their success in these very different conditions. SUHYHQWWKHLUXVHLQRSHQÀHOGVDQGZKHQXVHGLQHQFORVXUHV Managed bee species have also been selected for traits to such as greenhouses, implement steps to prevent escape. maximize their performance as commercially raised pollina- Our current agricultural system is out of balance with the tors. These may not be the same traits that maximize their needs of pollinators. What actions can help us return to bal- ability to survive and reproduce in the wild. Introduction of ance? The most sustainable long-term option is the creation genes from managed to wild bees could reduce the success of habitat to support wild bee populations in balance with of local populations by altering traits such as timing of raising the next generation of reproduc- A native bumble bee in Berlin, Germany tives, colony size, and tolerance foraging on a bachelor button for extreme cold or warm temperatures. Before we can examine the impacts of loss of local genetic adaptation, we need to understand how much hybridization occurs between managed and wild bees. Bartomeus et al. (2020) examined the extent of hybridization between native and introduced buff-tailed bumble bees, Bombus terrestris, in a re- gion of Spain that uses a large number of commercial colonies for crop pollination. Nearly half of the bees they examined were hybrids between local and commercial genotypes. Hybridization was found at distances greater than 60 km from areas where commercial bees were released. 52 SOUNDBYTES OF SCIENCE pollination needs for agricultural crops. Can we dedicate Suggestions for more reading on the topics: 10% of agricultural land to pollinator habitat? Bartomeus, I., Molina, F. P., Hidalgo-Galiana, A., & Ortego, J. (2020). Safe- While we move toward this goal, we still need managed guarding the genetic integrity of native pollinators requires stronger regu- EHHVWRÀOOLQWKHJDSVWRHQVXUHVXFFHVVIXOFURSSURGXFWLRQ lations on commercial lines. Ecological Solutions and Evidence, 1(1), 1–8. Is it possible to create a system where wild and managed https://doi.org/10.1002/2688-8319.12012 EHHVFDQÀQGEDODQFHZKHUHULVNVWRZLOGEHHVFDQEHUH- 'XUUHU6 6FKPLG+HPSHO3 6KDUHGXVHRI ÁRZHUVOHDGVWR duced, and where local genetic diversity is preserved? horizontal pathogen transmission. Proc Biol Sci, 258, 299–302. Bees cannot self-isolate or wear face masks, but could Goulson, D., & Hughes, W. O. H. (2015). Mitigating the anthropogenic WKHLPSDFWRI ÁRZHUVDVKXEVIRUGLVHDVHWUDQVPLVVLRQEH spread of bee parasites to protect wild pollinators. Biological Conserva- UHGXFHG LI WKHUH ZHUH PRUH ÁRZHUV" 0RUH IRRG VRXUFHV tion, 191, 10–19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2015.06.023 would have the effect of spreading bees out over more area, Mallinger, R. E., Gaines-day, H. R., & Gratton, C. (2017). Do managed bees a bee-version of social distancing. Can we protect our most have negative effects on wild bees?: A systematic review of the literature. vulnerable, threatened, and endangered wild bees from dis- PloS One, 12(8), 1–32. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0189268 ease spillover from managed bees? Can managed bees be Tehel, A., Streicher, T., Tragust, S., & Paxton, R. J. (2020). Experimental in- raised locally? IHFWLRQRI EXPEOHEHHVZLWKKRQH\EHHDVVRFLDWHGYLUXVHVQRGLUHFWÀWQHVV It’s time for us to look beyond habitat as our only solu- costs but potential future threats to novel wild bee hosts. Royal Society tion to help pollinators. We need to look at our systems of Open Science, 7, 200480. production, food production as well as pollinator produc- Elaine Evans is a University of Minnesota Extension Educator and Bee Re- WLRQWRÀQGDSDWKIRUZDUGWKDWDOORZVXVWRSURGXFHIRRG searcher working on pollinator conservation through research, education, outreach, and community science. She while sustaining healthy and diverse pollinator populations. has authored the books “Befriending It is not an impossible goal, but many individuals will need Bumble Bees: A Guide to Raising Lo- to work together for a more balanced agricultural ecosystem cal Bumble Bees” and “Managing instead of defaulting to the least costly mode of produc- Alternative Pollinators”. Elaine works tion. The rewards are long term and far reaching: increasing with volunteers and educators to track rare bees and increase pollinator ELRORJLFDOGLYHUVLW\EXLOGLQJLPSURYHGVRLOVÀOWHULQJZDWHU awareness through programs includ- helping to stabilize the climate, and ensuring our future ing the MN Bee Atlas and Pollinator food security. Ambassadors. Seeds for pollinator habitat

ernstseed.com [email protected]

800-873-3321 53 UNEXPECTED POLLINATOR PARTNER An UnexpectedUnexpected Ally to Plant Life the Coyote, Canis latrans

by Jazmin Murphy

cross the US, the coyote is regarded as a nui- sance. Yet, Indigenous tribes across North America revered the coyote, not only as the commonly known “trickster” featured inA numerous cultural tales, but as a child of the moon, an ancestral “First Person,” and even as a hero. Since the very beginning of European colonization of Indig- enous North American lands, this sacred canid has been reconceived as a dangerous predator: preying on live- stock and pets, as well as tormenting humans, who often perceive they are hunted and stalked by coyotes. Many associate the coyote with property damage and the loss of life—a cunning hunter that preys on cattle, Many people fear coyotes, a much dogs, and cats. The coyote itself is known to be killed respected animal in Indigenous cultures Mosher © Jake en masse in ever-popular competitions known as “hunt- ing derbies.” Despite these morbid associations, this native canine is a surprisingly capable vessel of life. From ago. Since then, we have learned that the coyote provides palms to persimmons to pawpaws, the coyote functions as transport to 33 distinct plant genera. How so? The answer a transporter for some of North America’s most plentiful lies hidden in their opportunistic lifestyle. QDWLYHÁRUD The pervasiveness of misinformed, limited knowledge A Peculiar Diet for Carnivorous Dentition on this animal even extends into academia. Besides the folk- Take a look at the set of teeth you’ve got in your mouth. lore, few researchers knew the zoochoric (seed transporting) Look at each side, the rear teeth, especially. What do you ecological function of Canis latrans until about two decades QRWLFH"7KH\DUHJHQHUDOO\ÁDWZLWKFXUYHGHGJHV³H[FHOOHQW for the mastication (chewing) of food, both plant- and ani- 63 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS mal-derived. Now compare those to the teeth of your dog, a distant cousin of the American Song Dog—a historic, affectionate nickname for the coyote. What are some of the differences you observe? For one, your dog’s teeth are much sharper than yours. Their canines are much larger, much more capa-

EOHRI ULSSLQJLQWRWKHÁHVKRI DQ\PHDWWKH\KDSSHQ Mosher © Jake WRFRQVXPHRXWVLGHRI WKHLUNLEEOH7KHVLJQLÀFDQFH of this lies primarily in the canine family’s “taxonomy,” or, more plainly, its place in the Tree of Life. Your dog comes from one of the most beloved groups of organisms in the animal kingdom: Carnivora. Many carnivores have specialized dentition—the FRQÀJXUDWLRQRI WKHLUWHHWK³WKDWDOORZWKHPWRWHDU into meat with much more success than other animal groups. The teeth are so specialized, in fact, that many are known as “obligate carnivores.” Despite being a member of Carnivora, coyotes are not obligate carnivores, and subsist on a much more balanced diet. For example, a study by the Urban Coyote Research Program analyzed over 1,400 coyote scats and found that “the most common food items were small rodents (42%), fruit (23%), deer (22%), and rabbit (18%).” Their omnivorous diet and opportunistic lifestyle allow coyotes to take advantage of all sorts of food sources, regardless of whether it’s a nice, juicy steak, or a prim-and-proper salad. Unlike our pet dogs, coyote mouths host two types of teeth: secodont—the sharp, three-point teeth, also known as “carnassials” Two coyotes in the snow DQGEXQRGRQW³WKHÁDWWHQHGFXUYHGWHHWKVLPLODUWR your molars. This double-duty dental design is the key to how • Diospyros virginiana, Common persimmon coyotes form a mutualistic relationship with the plant life of • Prunus americana, American plum 1RUWK$PHULFDDQHFRORJLFDOSDUWQHUVKLSWKDWLVEHQHÀFLDO • Asimina triloba, Pawpaw to both of the organisms involved. Unlike humans and her- • Neobuxbaumia tetetzo, a tall columnar cactus with no bivores, coyotes cannot move their jaws from side to side to widely accepted common name LQFUHDVHWKHHIÀFLHQF\ZLWKZKLFKWKH\JULQGSODQWPDWHULDO When this study was published in 2005, few researchers 7KLVUHODWLYHLQHIÀFLHQF\LVDGRXEOHHGJHGVZRUGLQWHUPV had acknowledged the breadth of biodiversity that coyotes RI WKHEHQHÀWVFR\RWHVSURYLGHWRWKHVWUXFWXUDOLQWHJULW\RI supported in their native ecosystems, especially concerning seeds after consumption. their ability to transport seeds. To remedy this, Silverstein literally went digging in the dirt for more information. After How Coyotes’ Munching Supports Germination opportunistically collecting seed-ridden coyote scats from In a study spanning throughout Riverside, San Bernardi- February 1998 to April 2001, Silverstein had enough seeds to no, and Imperial Counties of Southern California, Dr. Robin represent 38 separate plant species. 6LOYHUVWHLQGHPRQVWUDWHGWKHEHQHÀWVWKDWFR\RWHVSURYLGHWR Of the 18 species that germinated successfully, the fan 86ÁRUD³QDWLYHH[RWLFDQGLQYDVLYHDOLNH6LOYHUVWHLQQRWHG palm (:ÀOLIHUD) performed the best with a 75.8% germi- that, thus far, coyotes are known to provide their dispersal nation rate. Second to this were Phoenix species (palms) VHUYLFHVWRVHYHUDOW\SHVRI ÁRUDVSHFLHVDQGJHQHUDERWKLQ at 46.7%, and third, Cucumis species (cucurbits) at 33.9%. Mexico and the United States, including: %DVHGRQWKHVHÀQGLQJVDORQHWKHFR\RWHVHHPVWREHTXLWH • :DVKLQJWRQLDÀOLIHUD, California palm the mammalian ally of its plant neighbors as it helps to • Prunus ilicifolia, Hollyleaf cherry disperse seed across large territories. • Prosopis spp., multiple species trees and shrubs in the For the remaining 20 species that failed to germinate, pea family there were many compounding environmental factors that • Diospyros texana, Texas persimmon prevented them from sprouting. Their stunted growth may • Opuntia rastrera, Prickly pear QRWQHFHVVDULO\EHDWWULEXWHGWRWKHFR\RWH·VLQHIÀFLHQF\DV 64 UNEXPECTED POLLINATOR PARTNER a seed carrier. Yet, there is one factor that may point to the Yet, when all these elements combine with just the right canine’s sub-par performance in seed dispersal—mastication balance, something miraculous happens. Cypher learned that by coyotes may have a particularly detrimental effect on the when coyote scats consisted primarily of fruit instead of seed’s chances of germination. PHDWJHUPLQDWLRQUDWHVZHUHVLJQLÀFDQWO\KLJKHU After coastal prickly pear (Opuntia littoralis) seeds were Fruits have a laxative effect on the digestive system, VXEMHFWHGWR´6&$5µWUHDWPHQWVZKHUHWKHVHHGVZHUHÀOHG which encourages more frequent bowel movements. When down so as to “expose the dark interior” that mimic the wear the meal is mostly comprised of meat, the food sits in the and tear from teeth, only 1% of the 150 treated seeds germi- gut longer, exposing the seed to guttural chemical reactions QDWHG7KLVFRXOGSRLQWWRDVLJQLÀFDQWGUDZEDFNRI FR\RWHV for far too long. On the other hand, meals that contain more as dispersal partners if they chew the fruit so thoroughly that fruit boost germination success of the seeds. they expose the seed’s interior. When coyotes simply chewed and spat out persimmon Yet Dr. Ellen Cypher and the collaborative team encom- (D. virginiana) seeds, the plants had lower germination rates passing Dr. Armenta-Méndez et al. found many points of than when the coyotes ingested the seeds. Ingestion usual- evidence as to how coyotes could widen a plant’s habitat ly came with the removal of the mesocarp, which increased range. The primary mechanism underlying this ability is the the plants’ chance of sprouting (45.2% vs. 49.6%). The thick acidity of an animal’s gut. Although this acidity can boost the coat of the pawpaw seed (A. triloba) made it particularly re- germination rate of seeds, there are inherent risks that come sistant to damage from animal chewing and gut acidity. This along with this: protection increased its germination rate to 48%, even after • Exposure to thermal changes inside an animal’s body, passing through the gut of a hungry coyote compared to an rather than out in the environment undigested rate of 41.5%. • Chemical pressure from the extreme acidity in the gut and stomach $GGLWLRQDO%HQHÀWVRI &R\RWH6HHG'LVSHUVDO • Mechanical damage from the animal’s chewing :KLOH WKH LPSURYHG JHUPLQDWLRQ UDWHV GRQ·W UHÁHFW D massive difference, coyotes offer more than just safe passage

Coyote pups

65 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS through their gut. They consume the pulp of the fruit, re- PRYLQJWKHVXJDUVDQGÁHVKWKDWSURPRWHVHHGURWWLQJWKH accumulation of pathogens, and detection from predators. Additionally, these swift, four-legged animals travel great GLVWDQFHV EHWZHHQ IUXLWPHDOV VLJQLÀFDQWO\ H[SDQGLQJ WKH range of plants that can survive the journey through the coyote’s molars and gut. In addition to the colonization of new sites, coyote-assisted dispersal also takes seeds away from areas already full RI FRQVSHFLÀFVVSRWVÀOOHGZLWKORWVRI RWKHUPHPEHUVRI the plant species. This allows the newly sprouted plants to thrive in regions far removed from the occupied niches in the parental neighborhood. Coyote-assisted seed dispersal thus boosts the genetic diversity of the 33 genera it consumes, as it facilitates gene exchange between distant populations. &R\RWHVDOVRSOD\DVLJQLÀFDQWUROHLQ0H[LFR·V%DUDMLWDV Canyon, according to the study by Dr. Armenta-Méndez et al. This research found one more crucial element in dispersal success as it relates to the enigmatic canine: the Mexican fan palm (W. robusta) and the Las Animas colubrina (Colu- brina californica ZHUHVRPHRI WKHSULPDU\EHQHÀFLDULHVRI coyote consumption, particularly in microhabitats with covered canopies. The palms were much more likely to establish themselves in these areas, something that may be related to the higher concentrations of coyotes and their scats in these densely forested locations. Overall, their seeds achieved an astounding 94% germination rate after passing through the canid’s gut. Additionally, the Mexican fan palm and the Las Animas FROXEULQD JUHDWO\ EHQHÀWHG ZKHQ WKH FDQLG KHOSHG WKHP reach sites with high-quality soil. Coyote-assisted seed dispersal thus connects different landscapes. Not only can this tion, & Society, 4(1), 1-20. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/09d0/c6f- animal spread the range of the plant species it consumes, but c26472acd535b4298bcedbededc885882.pdf LWFDQSOD\DFHQWUDOUROHLQKHOSLQJSODQWVÀQGHQYLURQPHQWV Cypher, B. L., & Cypher, E. A. (1999). Germination rates of tree seeds in- where they can thrive. gested by coyotes and raccoons. The American Midland Naturalist, 142(1), The role of coyotes in seed dispersal is inarguably vital to 71-76. https://doi.org/10.1674/0003-0031(1999)142[0071:grotsi]2.0.co;2 WKHFRQWLQXHGVSUHDGRI PDQ\NH\ÁRUDLQWKH8QLWHG6WDWHV Silverstein, R. P. (2005). Germination of native and exotic plant seeds dis- and Mexico. Though many believe that the coyote is a nui- persed by coyotes (Canis latrans) in Southern California. The Southwest- sance and nothing more, new facets of its ecological role are ern Naturalist, 50(4), 472-478. https://doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909(2005) discovered with greater frequency as the years go on. If we 050[0472:gonaep]2.0.co;2 wish to preserve these landscapes that we know and love, we should value the ecological role of America’s Song Dog, the coyote and protect this animal. May its emblematic howl reverberate through the night as it carries pawpaw and per- Jazmin (Sunny) Murphy is an M.Sc. candidate studying coyote management, mission across the land.. behavior, and cognitive ecology. She is also the author of HowExpert Guide References to Coyotes: 101+ Facts to Learn About, Embrace, and Love Coyotes from A to Z Armenta-Méndez, L., Gallo-Reynoso, J. P., Wilder, B. T., Gardea, A. A., and head writer of Black Flower Science Ortega-Nieblas, M. M., & Barba-Acuña, I. (2020). The role of wild canids Co., a platform designed for casual adult in the seed dispersal of washingtonia robusta (Arecaceae) in Sonoran Des- STEM education and cannabis destigma- ert oases. Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad, 91(0), 913129. https://doi. tization. As a science writer, Jazmin’s goal org/10.22201/ib.20078706e.2020.91.3129 is to welcome people of all backgrounds into the wonders of STEM. Badly, C. R. (2015). Coyote is not a metaphor: On decolonizing, (re) claiming, and (re)naming Coyote. Decolonization: Indigeneity, Educa- 66 SOCIAL BUZZ Social Buzz

Louise McNaught byy Cindyy Fleet

e are a science-based magazine, but recognize that stories and the arts can often move us more deeply WKDQIDFWVDQGÀJXUHV2 Million Blossoms kicks off its Social Buzz column with a feature on contempo- raryW wildlife artist, Louise McNaught. Her multimedia works showcase some amazing specimens of nature, whether they grace the air, sea, or land. McNaught’s style captivates with its intricate details mixed with boldness. Her canvases portray a clear message—mankind’s destruc- tion of habitat and our detrimental effects on the animal kingdom are catastrophic. A viewer can almost feel the pain and sorrow each animal SRUWUDLWVLJQLÀHV McNaught uses different mediums for her paintings, everything from traditional large canvases to currency, subway tickets, cups, canvas, paper bags, and even spray cans. The spray paint cans, she explained, “are a metaphor for the negative affect mankind and industry are having on bees.” McNaught also authored a book of animal portraits on 20 endangered species called Survival, which the artist created with Big Picture Press in September 2018. The animals hail from around the globe, covering everything from the tiny sapphire-bellied hummingbird to the largest animal on the planet—the blue whale. Each illustration ´VKRZVDÀQHO\ZURXJKWSRUWUDLWRI WKHDQLPDORULQVHFWHPHUJLQJIURP a bright, solid-colored background even as areas of background color ÀOOLQDVQHJDWLYHVSDFHZLWKLQWKHSRUWUDLW³DWHFKQLTXHWKDWEULOOLDQWO\ Ashes, Ashes, underscores the evanescence of the species,” noted Kirkus Book Re- We All Fall Down view. 67 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS

The tiny sapphire-bellied hummingbird from McNaught’s book Survival McNaught’s 26 mini canvases for her bee alphabet Born in Scotland, McNaught currently has her studio in Louise McNaught:,WKLQNDEXQGDQFHRIDQ\ÁRZHUVPDNHV Surrey, England. “Nature, in all its forms, (is) endlessly in- you happy, but probably ones like buddleia and lavender that VSLULQJDVLWVHHPVWRKDYHLQÀQLWHLQFDUQDWLRQVµ7KHDUWLVW DWWUDFWEHHVDQGEXWWHUÁLHVDQGWKH\·UHDOVRP\IDYRULWHFRORU credits her young daughters’ childlike fascination with insects purple. that spurred her to increase her own inner awareness. Bees, EXWWHUÁLHVKXPPLQJELUGVDOOWXPEOHÁ\DQGVRDUWKURXJK 2MB: Any childhood memories of being an artist? her work. The artist’s Bee Alphabet Collection showcases 26 different bees from around the world on 10x10 cm canvases. LM: Lots, it’s what I spent most of my time doing. There are photos of me as a baby drawing with a pencil with pretty 2 Million Blossoms::KDWDUH\RXUIDYRULWHÁRZHUVRUIR- good dexterity for that age! I remember always taking ‘art’ so liage? seriously as well as I thought it was the most important and

The artists series of bees on spray cans. She has reached out to

scientists Campbell Rachel © to learn about the wide diversity of bee species.

68 SOCIAL BUZZ worthwhile thing in the world, and funnily enough I still do! But I don’t know where I picked that up from as neither of my parents were artists. I think it was very much something I was born with and born to do.

2MB: Why spray cans?

LM: I used the spray paint cans as they’re a metaphor for the negative affect mankind and industry are having on bees, as it’s a very urban, industrial object—and that is why I’ve painted the bees glitching on the cans (as if they are having trouble loading.) Original painting on a train ticket

2MB: What is the message that you hope your art tells?

LM: How precious and awe-inspiring nature is, this is so hard to convey in just a painting as nature is the real artist, but I’ll keep trying!

Sometimes it is easier for the arts to capture the shrink- ing biodiversity of our planet and put it in perspective. Mc- Naught’s art encourages the viewer to pause and contemplate our interactions with pollinators, inspiring greater awareness of our planet’s threatened ecosystem.m.

If you would like to learn more about McNaught’s art and how it captures the struggle of insects and animals WKUHDWHQHGE\KXPDQDFWLYLW\\RXFDQÀQGKHURQOLQHDW louisemcnaught.com

Twitter @louise_mcnaught Vibe Facebook: Louise McNaught - Art

Instagram: @louise_mcnaught_artist

Cindy Fleet is a navy vet- eran, hospice nurse, mother, and an avid love of all living things. She’s always busy re- finishing furniture and seeking out eclectic finds for her side business of antiques and vin- tage wares. She embraces the world with a creative flair and a love for gardening. She writes the Social Buzz column, seeking out unique artists to feature in our pages. 69 Child of Aristeaus DIGGING IT You Need More Than Just Flowers

In Your Butterfly Garden

by Bryan Reynolds

The United States boasts around 525 Southern dogface, Zerene cesonia, nectaring from pitcher sage, different species of Salvia azures var. grandiflora EXWWHUÁLHV 84 DIGGING IT ave you labored away and spent a bunch of PRQH\ÀOOLQJ\RXUEXWWHUÁ\JDUGHQZLWKH[RWLF Male sachem, Atalopedes campestris on tall thistle, Cirsium altissimum ÁRZHUVDQGZRQGHUHGZK\\RX·YHEDUHO\QR- ticed any interest from these winged wonders? HDon’t worry, you’re not alone. Flowers in the garden will DWWUDFWDQRFFDVLRQDOEXWWHUÁ\IRUDVLSRIQHFWDU However, to really draw them in, another enticement PXVWEHSURYLGHG³WKHSODQWVWKDWEXWWHUÁ\FDWHUSLOODUVHDW These are known as larval food plants and to the shock of many, they’re sometimes even called ‘weeds’ (such as milkweed, sneezeweed, goatweed, dill weed, frostweed, and ironweed). Incorporate some of these ‘weeds’ into your garden, and you’ll draw in many species from miles around, QRPDWWHUZKHUH\RXOLYH%XWWHUÁLHVVHHNRXWSODFHVWRUHDU the next generation. Why not make it your garden?

Location, Location, Location Don’t run out to your garden and immediately start planting weeds. This process is a little more methodical WKDQWKDW7KHÀUVWVWHSLQGHYHORSLQJWKHEHVWEXWWHUÁ\JDU- den possible, is to determine exactly where you live. I’m not referring to your home address, but instead what ecoregion you live in. Thankfully, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has all the information you need to deter- PLQH \RXU VSHFLÀF HFRUHJLRQ 7KH 8QLWHG 6WDWHV LV KXJH and using various characteristics (geology, landforms, soils, vegetation, climate, land use, wildlife, and hydrology) the EPA has established 105 ecoregions in the lower 48 states. They have made it very easy to pinpoint your ecoregion E\ SURYLGLQJ VWDWHVSHFLÀF PDSV https://www.epa.gov/ eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-state. © Bryan Reynolds If you don’t live in the US, a quick internet search should bring up ecoregions for other areas of the globe. and Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the For instance, the European Environment Agency also has Environment also provides one (https://www.environment. ecoregion maps (https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and- gov.au/land/nrs/science/ibra/australias-ecoregions). maps/data/digital-map-of-european-ecological-regions) So why is determining your ecoregion important? Each HFRUHJLRQFRQWDLQVDZLGHYDULHW\RI EXWWHUÁ\VSHFLHVDQG the larval food plants they need, suited WRWKRVHHQYLURQPHQWV6RPHEXWWHUÁLHV such as the ubiquitous painted lady (Va- nessa cardui) whose caterpillars eat many plants like thistles, mallows, burdock, and many others, may be found in all ecoregions. Whereas others, such as the swamp metalmark (Calephelis muticum) LV D YHU\ VSHFLDOL]HG EXWWHUÁ\ DQG ZLOO only be found in isolated wet areas where its larval food plant, swamp thistle (Cirsi- um muticum) is present. So, determining \RXUHFRUHJLRQLVWKHÀUVWSULRULW\

/RFDO%XWWHUÁLHV Once you know your ecoregion, the VHFRQG ELJ VWHS LV WR ÀJXUH RXW ZKDW Male monarch, Danaus plexippus on DUH WKH FRPPRQ VSHFLHV RI EXWWHUÁLHV buttonbush, Cephalanthus occidentali © Bryan Reynolds 85 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS found in your area. Of course, there are a few wide-ranging 5HJLRQDOEXWWHUÁ\JURXSV species, such as the monarch (Danaus plexippus) which is This list includes groups, blogs, and websites. It is not IRXQGWKURXJKRXWPRVWRI WKH86DQGLVWKHRIÀFLDOVWDWH inclusive, but a good starting point. Do some online research EXWWHUÁ\RI VHYHQ VWDWHV +RZHYHU PRVW RI WKH EXWWHUÁ\ WRÀQGPRUH species found in Florida will be completely different than • The Dallas County Lepidopterists’ Society those found in Washington. Determining your local variet- ZZZGDOODVEXWWHUÁLHVFRP LHVZLOOEHYHU\KHOSIXOLQÀJXULQJRXW\RXUODUYDOIRRGSODQW 7KH1DWLRQDO%XWWHUÁ\&HQWHUORFDWHGLQ7H[DV choices. ZZZQDWLRQDOEXWWHUÁ\FHQWHURUJ The United States boasts around 525 different species • Lep Log, based out of Maryland RI EXWWHUÁLHV ZLWKLQ WKH ORZHU VWDWHV GHSHQGLQJ RQ www.leplog.wordpress.com WKHFXUUHQWVFLHQWLÀFOLWHUDWXUH6RKRZGR\RXGHWHUPLQH -HII·V%XWWHUÁ\3DJHEDVHGRXWRI 1RUWK&DUROLQDEXW ZKDW·VÁ\LQJLQ\RXUDUHD"0RVWSHRSOHZKRZDQWWRPDNH many images from all over the US WKHLUJDUGHQEXWWHUÁ\IULHQGO\SUREDEO\DOUHDG\KDYHDSUHW- ZZZMHIISLSSHQFRPEXWWHUÁLHVKWP ty good idea. But if not, there are a lot of resources avail- • Solar Darkroom, based out of California able. Take a look at the resources below and start compiling www.solardarkroom.com a list of what you should see in your back yard. • McGuire Center for Lepidoptera and Biodiversity in Florida 2QOLQH%XWWHUÁ\5HVRXUFHV www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/index.php/mcguire/ • The Lepidopterists’ Society www.lepsoc.org home 1RUWK$PHULFDQ%XWWHUÁ\$VVRFLDWLRQ :LVFRQVLQ%XWWHUÁLHV www.naba.org ZZZZLVFRQVLQEXWWHUÁLHVRUJEXWWHUÁ\ • The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 0DVVDFKXVHWWV%XWWHUÁ\&OXE www.xerces.org www.naba.org/chapters/nabambc/index.asp %XWWHUÁLHVDQG0RWKVRI1RUWK$PHULFD • Utah Lepidopterists’ Society ZZZEXWWHUÁLHVDQGPRWKVRUJ www.utahlepsociety.org %XWWHUÁLHVRI$PHULFD %2$ ZZZEXWWHUÁLHVRIDPHULFDFRP Organizations • Bugguide www.bugguide.net These are groups and clubs that offer classes, training, 9DULRXVEXWWHUÁ\JURXSVRQGroups.io and activities relating to general natural history, including EXWWHUÁLHVDQGSODQWV

86 DIGGING IT • Nature Conservancy - www.nature.org DOVRVHYHUDOH[FHOOHQWVWDWHVSHFLÀFEXWWHUÁ\ERRNV*RWRDQ\ • Master Naturalists, almost all states now offer this UHIXJHRUSDUNZLWKDYLVLWRU·VFHQWHURUJLIWVKRSWRÀQGWKHVH program www.ecosystemgardening.com/master- VWDWHIRFXVHGERRNV0DQ\SDUNVZLOODOVRRIIHUIUHHEXWWHUÁ\ naturalist-programs-by-state.html checklists for their area. With all of these resources in hand, • Bioblitz, check your local area for these events no matter where you live in the US, it should be fairly easy to • Your local zoo, nature center, natural history muse- JHWDQLGHDRI WKHFRPPRQEXWWHUÁLHVLQ\RXUDUHD um, university outreach program 9DULRXVORFDOEXWWHUÁ\IHVWLYDOVDQG0RQDUFKPLJUD- Larval Food Plants tion festivals You now have a pretty good idea of the ecoregion you OLYH LQ

Regal fritillary, Speyeria idalia, on have been written on the subject, but hopefully it will be a common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca starting point: Milkweed, Asclepias sp. Milkweed has really made the news lately along with the plight of the monarch (Danaus plexippus). This versatile SODQWIDPLO\LVD¶JRWR·QHFWDUSODQWIRUERWKEXWWHUÁLHVDQG native bees. In the US there are over 100 species of milkweed. Besides being a great nectar source, it is also the larval IRRGSODQWRI WKUHHVSHFLHVRI EXWWHUÁLHVIRXQGLQWKH86 the aforementioned monarch, and in southern parts of the country, the queen (D. gilippus) and the soldier (D. eresimus). Some of the more common milkweeds for your garden are: © Bryan Reynolds • orange milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) Pesticide Free • green milkweed (A. viridis) Another consideration before you purchase plants is • swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) whether the nursery stock is insecticide-free. Unfortunately, • common milkweed (A. syriaca) many of the ‘box stores’ that also sell plants, have stock that • sand milkweed (A. arenaria) has been treated with insecticides. Many of the chemicals • antelope horns (A. asperula) used as insecticides are actually stored in the plant’s tissues A nice resource provided by the Biota of North Amer- over a very long period of time. Any insect that chews on ican Program (BONAP) is a list of milkweed species at WKHSODQWLQFOXGLQJEXWWHUÁ\FDWHUSLOODUVZLOOLQJHVWWKHSRL- the county level for the lower 48 states: http://bonap.net/ son as they forage for food, and may be killed. Always check NAPA/TaxonMaps/Genus/County/Asclepias with your nursery regarding plant treatments and try to avoid treated plants, especially if they’ve been handled with systemic insecticides that the plant translocated through all Green comet milkweed, Asclepias viridiflora of its tissues.

Seed Saving Besides nurseries, another way to obtain local native plants is to collect seeds from natural areas and start your own stock. Local roadsides, farms and ranches, old pastures, DQGRWKHUZLOGSODFHVFDQEHWHHPLQJZLWKJUHDWZLOGÁRZ- HUV2QFHWKHVHHGVDUHPDWXUHDZLOGÁRZHUVHHGKXQWFDQ be a fun family outing. A great way to get free plants is to keep up with your local DUHDEXLOGLQJSURMHFWV$VNSHUPLVVLRQWRFROOHFWZLOGÁRZ- ers and seeds from an area before construction is started. Since they will be plowing things under, you can often dig out useful pollinator plants and transplant them into your RZQJDUGHQ5HPHPEHUEHIRUHVWDUWLQJDQ\ZLOGÁRZHUVHHG KXQW DOZD\V ÀQG RXW ZKDW ORFDO ODZV DSSO\ WR FROOHFWLQJ don’t trespass and always ask permission. Many parks and SUHVHUYHVIRUELGFROOHFWLQJVRGRQ·WMXVWÀOO\RXUSRFNHWV In addition to collecting wild-grown stock, another way to obtain plants and seeds is to volunteer at local gardens, ]RRVQDWXUHFHQWHUVXQLYHUVLWLHVH[WHQVLRQRIÀFHVRUDQ\ place that has a garden and is interested in attracting more EXWWHUÁLHVDQGQDWLYHEHHV+HOSWKHPRXWQHWZRUNDOLWWOH and before you know, you might have some plant or seed freebies you can start in your own garden.

Plant Basics Let’s now take a general look at some plants and a few of

WKHEXWWHUÁLHVWKH\DWWUDFW7KLVOLVWLVQRWLQFOXVLYHYROXPHV © Bryan Reynolds 88 DIGGING IT Parsley Family, Apiaceae lem. Native thistles are an excellent nectar source for all but- Several North American swallowtails use plants in this WHUÁLHVDVZHOODVDODUYDOIRRGVRXUFHIRUWKHSDLQWHGODG\ group, including the black swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes), (Vanessa cardui) and a few crescents (mylitta, pale and Cal- anise swallowtail (P. zelicaon), and old world swallowtail (P. ifornia) in the genus Phyciodes. And as mentioned earlier, machaon). These plants include Queen Anne’s lace (Dau- the rarely seen swamp metalmark (Calephelis muticum) uses cus carota), and wild parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii). Here is swamp thistle (C. muticum). one example where growing garden variety parsley, dill, and IHQQHOLVMXVWÀQH0DQ\SHRSOHSODQWDODUJHSRWRI GLOORU 6XQÁRZHUHelianthus sp. IHQQHODQGWKHVZDOORZWDLOVÁRFNWRLW3UHWW\VRRQWKHSODQWV $QLFHWDOOSODQWZLWKELJ\HOORZÁRZHUVWKDWGUDZVLQWRQV are loaded with caterpillars. RI EHQHÀFLDOLQVHFWVLQFOXGLQJQDWLYHEHHVDQGEXWWHUÁLHV$Q HDV\VSHFLHVWRJURZLVWKHFRPPRQVXQÁRZHU Helianthus Pipevine, Aristolochia sp. annuus). It does double-duty as being a larval food source The pipevine swallowtail (Battus philenor) is common for the bordered patch (Chlosyne lacinia), gorgone checker- throughout much of the southern US and a great larval spot (C. gorgone), and silvery checkerspot (C. nycteis). Fall food plant for it is the native woolly Dutchman’s pipe (Aris- EORRPLQJVXQÁRZHUVDUHDOVRDJUHDWQHFWDUVRXUFHIRUPL- tolochia tomentosa). However, beware of the non-native grating monarchs. giant Dutchman’s pipe (A. gigantean) which is sometimes VROGLQWKHELJER[VWRUHVDVD¶EXWWHUÁ\SODQW·7KLVSODQW LVDFWXDOO\QDWLYHWR6RXWK$PHULFDDQGJLYHVWKHEXWWHUÁLHV the right chemical cues for egg laying, but the plant is toxic to the caterpillars.

Gregariously feeding larvae of the Gorgone checkerspot, Chlosyne gorgone, on a leaf of sunflower,Helianthus sp.

Passion Flower, 3DVVLÁRUDVS. 3DVVLRQÁRZHULVDYLQHWKDWSURGXFHVZRQGHUIXOO\VFHQW-

© Bryan Reynolds ed blossoms as well as being a larval food source for com- PRQEXWWHUÁLHVVXFKDVWKHJXOI IULWLOODU\ Agraulis vanillae) and variegated fritillary (Euptoieta claudia). In southern parts Native Thistle, Cirsium sp.: of the country, the zebra heliconian (Heliconius charithonia) An underappreciated plant that’s gotten a bad rap be- and Julia heliconian (Dryas iulia DOVRXVHSDVVLRQÁRZHU cause of non-native and invasive thistles becoming a prob- Black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta Giant swallowtail, Papilio cresphontes, $FRPPRQQDWLYHZLOGÁRZHUWKDWLVDZRQGHUIXOHGLWLRQ on thistle, Cirsium sp. WRDQ\EXWWHUÁ\JDUGHQ6PDOOHUEXWWHUÁLHVVXFKDVVNLSSHUV blues and hairstreaks will occasionally sip nectar from this ÁRZHUDQGLWLVDOVRDODUYDOIRRGIRUWKHVLOYHU\FKHFNHUVSRW (Chlosyne nycteis).

Aster, Symphyotrichum sp. 6HYHUDOFUHVFHQWEXWWHUÁLHV SHDUOQRUWKHUQWDZQ\ÀHOG and painted) in the genus Phyciodes use asters as a larval food plant. Asters are also an excellent nectar source for all EXWWHUÁLHVDVZHOODVQDWLYHEHHV,WLVDOVRDQLFHIDOOQHFWDU source for migrating monarchs.

Various Grasses and Sedges

© Bryan Reynolds 0DQ\EXWWHUÁLHVHVSHFLDOO\WKHJUDVVVNLSSHUVDQGPRVW 89 2 MILLION BLOSSOMS RI WKHEUXVKIRRWEXWWHUÁLHVLQWKHVXEIDPLO\Satyrinae (sa- tyrs, wood-nymphs, arctics, alpines, browns, pearly-eyes, and ringlets) use grasses or sedges as a larval food source. The list of these types of plants is large, but a few good IHH9FM(F985H=CB5B8 FKRLFHVIRUEXWWHUÁLHVLQFOXGHVELJEOXHVWHP Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), blue Leaf Damage grama (Bouteloua gracilis), side-oats grama (Bouteloua cur- If you’re serious about attracting more butterﬂies to tipendula), and purpletop (7ULGHQVÁDYXV). your garden, then you’re basically creating an ecosystem for life. This will include witnessing the normal life and death struggles that regularly happen in all healthy ecosystems. Bringing in more prey will inev- itably attract more predators to hunt them. It’s been estimated that only about one percent of butterﬂy caterpillars grow up into adults, and this is enough © Bryan Reynolds to keep the species going. So, if you see one getting eaten by another critter, remember, this is normal and natural.

Being a butterfly steward means you have to be okay with natural damage to your plants. Those caterpillars Juniper hairstreak, Callophrys gryneus, feed upon the leaves and flowers. A little leaf dam- on eastern redbud, Cercis canadensis age will be well worth the cost of many more butterflies in your garden.

Trees and Shrubs 7KHUHDUHPDQ\VSHFLHVRI EXWWHUÁLHVWKDWXVHYDULRXV trees as larval food. Planting trees is probably out of the Any garden can be enhanced to be much more attractive scope of most gardeners, however if major landscaping is WREXWWHUÁLHV%\SURYLGLQJODUYDOIRRGSODQWVVSHFLÀFWR\RXU in the works, keep these in mind. A comprehensive list is HFRUHJLRQDQGWKHEXWWHUÁLHVWKDWÁ\WKHUH\RX·OOEHEULQJLQJ beyond the scope of this article, but a few to consider are in these winged wonders from miles around, regardless of oak, willow, cottonwood, elm, hackberry, red cedar, plum, where in the country you live. redbud, citrus, and dogwood. The resources listed above provide much more detail.

Silvery checkerspot, Chlosyne nycteis, nectaring on black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia hirta

Bryan Reynolds is an award-winning, professional nature and wildlife photographer and writer. He photographs all aspects of the natural world with an emphasis on nature’s small- er subjects, including but- terﬂies, dragonﬂies, other insects and spiders. © Bryan Reynolds

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