In the Pink

Aug 11, 2009

Thunder boomed across the garden.

The carpenter bee (Xylocopata tabaniformis orpifex) meant business.

She headed straight for the slowly opening rock purslane  (Calandrinia grandiflora). Never mind that the petals hadn't quite unfolded.

Tackling the tiny pink blossom, she sipped her fill of nectar, and then, with another thunderous roar, vanished.

No wonder large, loud carpenter bees scare little children. 


By Kathy Keatley Garvey
Author - Communications specialist

Attached Images:

CARPENTER BEE nectars a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Carpenter Bee

POLLEN-COVERED carpenter bee takes ownership of a rock purslane. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)

Pollen-Covered Carpenter Bee