Did you know that Central Texas pollinators are not simply honey bees? There are many other pollinators including a myriad of Native Texas bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies and wasps. Some of the flies look like bees, such as the Bee Fly of the family Bombyliidae (order Diptera). The White-Lined Sphinx moth family Sphingidae actually can look like a hummingbird to some, when in flight. So some people even call it a Hummingbird moth.
The most famous butterfly pollinator of today is the Monarch, but there are many others.
Lasioglossum – Eucerini spp. is a solitary type bee who is a pollen specialist. Other bees live in colonies like the western honey bee or European honey bee (Apis mellifera). These bees are not native to the United States.
The Mason wasp or Euodynerus hidalgo can be seen getting nectar from flowers. Some of the most beautiful Native Texas bees are the Sweat bees. I have had some visit my yard and just love their beautiful, metallic colors!
I am a Texas Master Naturalist, a member of the Native Plant Society of Texas, member of The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, member of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation My yard is a Certified Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat. I have taken the Land Stewardship Workshop at Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve. I am a member of the Useful Wild Plants of Texas Project. I am in an ongoing quest to learn more all the time and share my knowledge with others to help wildlife and our beautiful Earth.
I believe a Texas Organic Home should have organically maintained yard that supports wildlife and is safe for people, pets and wildlife. I you need to buy or sell a home or land please call, text or e-mail me today!
Resources
The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center https://www.wildflower.org/
Native Plant Society of Texas https://npsot.org/wp/
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation https://xerces.org/
Selah Bamberger Ranch Preserve https://bambergerranch.org/
Useful Wild Plants of Texas https://usefulwildplants.org/