Dandelions and Co.

Variable Duskyface Fly
Some kind of Andrena bee
Ants
Metallic sweat bee of some kind
Gray Lawn Leafhopper
Silky Striped Sweat Bee
Redbud Seed Weevils (I think), the Redbuds here not having opened up yet.
Common Eastern Bumblebee

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Addendum: Dandelions are taxonomically complicated. There are around 250 species in Britain & Ireland and rate their own field guide. It seems like non-specialists here in the U.S. have been assuming that all we have are Taraxacum officinale. But Red-seeded, T. erythrospermum, is another possibility. How many others?

6 Responses to “Dandelions and Co.”


  1. 1 Charles McAlexander April 17, 2022 at 9:09 am

    Like interconnected neurons, this single species of flower is a hub of communication of substance and information for many species of animal, plant and biota. This is a perfect demonstration of the web-like nature of life on planet Earth. Well captured, I add. Bravo!

  2. 2 elwnyc April 17, 2022 at 11:11 am

    With that many pollinators, no wonder there are so many fertilized seeds.

    • 3 mthew April 18, 2022 at 7:23 am

      It gets more complicated, because dandelions — there are over two hundred species in Europe — can reproduced asexually, meaning the seeds are clones of the parent plant. They’re apomictic. They don’t require insects. And yet, the smorgasbord.

      • 4 elwnyc April 18, 2022 at 11:43 am

        That’s a new word for me. I knew some plants can reproduce through self-fertilization, but didn’t realize they can even skip that step.

      • 5 Charles McAlexander April 18, 2022 at 6:26 pm

        Sounds a lot like parthenogenesis for plants. It can happen to lizards and I think I heard the Calif. Condors just presented a case. I imagine there are other species which do this regularly, but not only.

  3. 6 Charles McAlexander April 18, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    Perhaps the polinators at the banquet aren’t polinators at all. They are increasing the range of seed dispersal, but not affecting the polination.


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