Texas Native Bee Co-op

Svastra sp. bee on Gaillardia aestivalis, sporting giant "pollen pants". Remember, only females collect pollen, so we can be confident it's a female. Svastra genus bees are specialists, needing pollen from plants in the Aster/Sunflower family for their young to feed on. Specialization in bees generally means they are limited to certain kinds of pollen, oils, or resins. Nectar is not, as far as I know, where they specialize. Specialization can be so narrow that bees can only use a single species, or much more broad, where whole genera or families of plants can be used.

Leafcutter Bees will use just about any nook or cranny to build their rolled up nest tubes, but usually they are better hidden than this one that I found partially finished on 6/24/25 in Cooke County, Texas.

The candy-colored bits are petals from Partridge Pea and Meadow Pink flowers, and the interior lining seems to be constructed of green leaves (see end view of hole at full image size).

This nest doesn't look well-protected or especially stable perched like it is--more than a foot off the ground at the top of a slim stem.

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Finally getting back outside just in time for the Shiny Goldenrod to bloom in Cooke County. I was surprised and delighted to find so many Southern Plains Bumblebees foraging on Sunday, August 4th, 2024. These very large bees feature a flattened shape in profile, a long body with a squared-off tail end, , a "cat's-eye" shaped black spot on their thorax, and the yellow plush heart on their thorax, past the black spot. Their wings are very dark and glossy. Their pile is neat and even, and always groomed in a way that they look freshly brushed towards the tail end.

Because there were lots, I was able to see their were differences in hair color and age. Some had worn wings, while some were fresh, and the colors ranged from bright butter yellow, through ordinary yellow, to an almost tan color.

And ooops, I took a lot of photos. That's okay, you can page through and find all their little features. Look for the yellow plush heart, large black eyes, pollen collection baskets (corbiculae), body shape, wing wear, color differences, worn pile, etc..

I've been away from sitting upright at my desk very much, so have posted very little recently, but I wanted to be sure that everyone who's interested gets this on their calendar. Looks interesting!

Have your eclipse campout plans been dampened? Are you suddenly free this Sunday? There are still a few spaces left for this fun event at Brazos Bend State Park on Sunday, April 7th. I'll be speaking on native bees and their bizarre lifestyles, and Mark Morganstern of Morningstar Prairie Plants will give us the secrets to growing terrific native plants. After lunch, there's a tour of a spectacular prairie and a visit to a native plant nursery. We had a load of fun last year at this annual event, and I hope you can grab one of those last few seats and join us this year.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080845ABAA2DA6FA7-47617123-native/50586095 #/

There’s still plenty of time to get on board! The Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas committee of the Native Plant Society of Texas awards grants up to $600 for the planting or improvement of pollinator gardens. We want to support gardens that create more usable Monarch habitat while showcasing native Texas plants in an appealing way. Our partners at the US Forest Service and Monarch Joint Venture help make this program possible.

More information and a link to the simple application can be found here.
https://www.npsot.org/our-work/bring-back-the-monarchs-to-texas/garden-grants/

When is the deadline? February 1st, 2024
Don’t panic: the application is easy to complete, and layout drawings don’t have to be fancy.

Who or what is eligible? Many non-profits, schools, nature centers, parks, municipal buildings, camps, worship centers, museums and more could qualify if they are located in Texas. If you have specific questions send an email to [email protected].

What is not eligible: Landscaping on private residential property

What can the grant money be spent on? Only the purchase of native
Texas plants or seeds for native plants is permitted. Non-natives like Tropical Milkweed are prohibited under the grant terms. Hardscaping, borders, signs, rocks, benches, soil products, and all non-plant items are also excluded.

We’re accessible! Ask us anything about the grants by emailing [email protected]

Think about anyone you know or any groups you are affiliated with who need this information and please either share this notice directly to them or copy and send this information page link to them.
https://www.npsot.org/our-work/bring-back-the-monarchs-to-texas/garden-grants/

The Bring Back the Monarchs to Texas Committee can’t wait to see your great ideas and read your applications! Get them in soon.

Flower Mound, Texas, September 8th, 2022. I had the great pleasure of finding working Sonoran Bumblebee females in a city park. Master Naturalists have done a fine job of selecting native plants to attract and feed pollinators in a small and beautiful garden there, and the pollinators have showed up!

One sharp-eyed reader in another forum pointed out that they are sporting golden plush "hearts" on their little backs. Bombus sonorus doesn't come much further east in Texas than this Denton County location.