Hoverflies can’t resist teasel (Dipsacus fullonum). The hoverflies are easily disturbed, they fly away, hover, but are relentlessly drawn back
It’s fascinating to watch the bumblebees plunge their tongues into the narrow, deep flowers (e.g. see bumblebee on left here)
I counted more than ten on this teasel head (they are on the back as well!)
This strange-looking hoverfly (a female Volucella zonaria I think) is massive. It is a hornet mimic and appears to have an odd yellow beak.
The Marmalade hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) is a regular visitor. They are great pollinators and as a bonus their larvae feed on aphids.
Buff-tailed bumbebees iterate wholescale between visiting the hollyhocks (explaining the pollen covering here) and teasel
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Fantastic! I’ve noticed our teasels getting a lot of bee and hoverfly action, too, but only catch one at a time in photos – your photos are fabulous.
Thanks Sam. One of our teasels popped up on the corner of the path to the greenhouse and that means I pass it every day, with the flowers at just above head-height. That first shot is what I see every time it get to it.
Fab photos, I especially like the swarm of hoverflies coming in to land. Must be a prickly business!
Yes indeed, good job they weigh nothing! Since the hoverflies don’t have long tongues like the bees, I am curious why they love the teasel so much. How do they get to the nectar????
That’s an interesting question … I wonder if it’s pollen they’re after? Looking at the surface of the teasels today there’s a rich smattering of pollen ….
Beautiful. I am growing my first teasel from seed at the moment 😊
Thanks Brigid. They will reward you! I was contemplating making a carder (for wool) once the flowers are finished, just to see how people used to work.
That would be very interesting.
Certainly it has an allure for bees and many insects.
🙂
Awesome shots of this powerful pollinator magnet, Allison. That buff-tail is loaded!
Yes thanks. I included that photo because I couldn’t believe how much pollen he had gathered (and because I like its crumbly texture)
Great pictures of the teasel, I have planted some seed this year for the first time.
Next entertaining stage is when the goldfinches start taking the seed!
Love this.
Thank you … I spent far too much time counting the hoverflies and trying to photograph the maximum number!