Pollinators Archives - El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum

“Female Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet”

Camille — Tue, 08 Oct 2024 14:32:49 +0000

by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist

Female Mesoxaea texana nectaring on Waltheria indica.

Thank you for visiting elmestenoranch.com!

The post “Female Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet” appeared first on El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum.

“Making more Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet”

Camille — Mon, 07 Oct 2024 14:38:28 +0000

by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist

Female: Shiny, black eyes ~~~ Male: Green, jewel-toned eyes

When I first encountered these two rare bees, they were in flight.

In fact, they flew right in front of me, and I almost ran into them.

I was confused as to what I was seeing.

Front view of the two, conjoined Mesoxaea texana in the act of copulation.

Initially, these two rare bees appeared to be a very long insect flying about three (3) feet above the ground.

It took me a few seconds to realize that this “really long insect” I had nearly bumped into was actual two Mesoxaea texana—conjoined—while in flight.

The Texas native plant these two Mesoxaea texana alighted on was a Salvia ballotiflora, also known as Shrubby Blue Sage.

By the way, this plant has been observed to be a favorite nectar and pollen source for them.

These two remained conjoined for quite some time.

Rough estimates, based on the metadata for all images and videos taken that day, suggest that they were in this state for approximately several minutes.

I have been stewarding this land for these bees since the Fall of 2020.

Their watch, care, and preservation has turned into one of the main “Passion Projects” of this chapter of my life.

Stay tuned. There is definitely more to come.

Thanks for your time!

The post “Making more Mesoxaea texana on the South Texas Sand Sheet” appeared first on El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum.

“Mesoxaea texana nectaring on Waltheria indica on the South Texas Sand Sheet!”

Camille — Mon, 02 Sep 2024 03:38:17 +0000

by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist

He’s BACK!!!!!

A “hovering” display….

A green-eyed male Mesoxaea texana is a repeat visitor to the South Texas Sand Sheet!

This rare, ground nesting bee has earned a few terms of endearment: “MT” and “El Guapo!”

The post “Mesoxaea texana nectaring on Waltheria indica on the South Texas Sand Sheet!” appeared first on El Mesteño Ranch and Arboretum.

“Tepanec Long-horned Bees Nectaring on Coma on the South Texas Sand Sheet,” by C. M. Rich, Texas Master Naturalist

Camille — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 15:44:59 +0000

Tepanec Long-horned Bee ~ Melissodes tepaneca

A Tepanec Long-horned bee enjoying a brief stop on a glossy, dark green Coma leaf.

About the Texas native bee:

“Abundant throughout the United States and Canada, these fast-flying bees are hairy and generally large. Males have extraordinarily long antenna.”

Source: Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril. “The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.” Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016.

“Melissodes means ‘bee-like.’ Meslissa means ‘bee’ and -odes means ‘looks like’ or ‘resembles.'”
Source: Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril. “The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.” Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016.

Note: Less than twenty-four hours after its initial capture, this Tepanec Long-horned bee was returned, alive and unharmed, to the exact tree he was found on. He buzzed off without skipping a beat!

This particular bee was found nectaring on a Coma tree (Bumelia celastrina).

About the Coma tree:

“Shrubs or trees up to 30′ tall (usually less), with milky sap, forming thickets from root sprouts. Side branches usually long slender thorns. Flowers: Radial, fragrant, in clusters from the leaf axils; petals 5, white, up to 3/16″ long. Leaves: Alternate; blades spatulate to ovate, tapering onto the petioles, up to 1 and 5/8″ long. The sweet fragrance of plants in bloom can be detected from long distances.”
Source: Richardson, Alfred, and Ken King. “Plants of Deep South Texas.“ College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2011.

Tamaulipan Thornscrub is an endangered habitat.

Coma is an attractive evergreen tree that is part of the Tamaulipan Thornscrub habitat that dots the landscape out on the South Texas Sand Sheet.

A glimpse into the Tamaulipan Thornscrub on the South Texas Sand Sheet.

Books referenced:

Bravo, Esteban. “Incredible Edibles of South Texas.” (What to Eat & How to Get It). Copy Zone. McAllen, Texas. 2013.
Peacock, Dexter and Forrest S. Smith. “A Photographic Guide to the Vegetation of the South Texas Sand Sheet.” ” Texas A & M University Press. College Station. 2020.
Eason, Michael. “Wildflowers of Texas.” Timber Press Field Guide. Timber Press, Inc. Portland, Oregon. 2018
Richardson, Alfred, and Ken King. “Plants of Deep South Texas.” College Station: Texas A & M University Press, 2011.
Wilson, Joseph S., and Olivia Messinger Carril. “The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees.” Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2016.

Online resources:

A Texas native bee photographed on the exact same Coma Tree in 2022. Although the exact species of Texas native bee is unknown, those antennae are definitively characteristic of male Long-horned bees.

Mothing Supplies for Your Review and Consideration: Examples and Links

Camille — Sun, 24 Sep 2023 17:23:27 +0000

Prepared for you by Camille M. Rich, Beginning “Moth-er” and Texas Master Naturalist

My disclaimer…

The examples of items—that were either used in the mothing stations I designed or that I observed at other mothing events being used by others—are provided to the readers of this post to convey a visual representation of either the item used in a mothing station or the concept of mothing itself.

In many instances, I repurposed items I already had for the mothing stations I designed. Nevertheless, I did have to search the internet for some of the mothing station items that I used and listed below. When I dove into mothing this summer, I quickly came to realize that some of the items I thought I needed for the mothing stations I designed were not readily available in my area.

Additionally, I would like to say that I am not suggesting that you go out and purchase any of these items. In fact, I also want to clearly state here that I am not getting paid—or compensated in any way— to promote or endorse any specific product(s), business(s), or online shopping platform(s).

I am sharing this list of items with you in the spirit of friendship, knowldege, empowerment, and transparency about mothing and all that I learned from my mothing experiences.

One last thing…

I would like each of you to have the best shot possible at having a really exceptional, fun, phenomenal mothing experience. Consequently, if this list can save you some research time, while giving you an overall idea of what mothing entails, than I will have accomplished my primary goal and purpose for this post.

My teacher’s heart will be full and satisfied.