Entomology Feature: The Great Wildlfower Patch


The Great Wildflower Patch at the Quaker Research Farm (Clickable Gallery Below)

These photos highlight an important pollinator habitat consisting of mixed wildflowers, located at the PSS Quaker Research Farm. The images below show two native bees, the American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus) on mealy blue sage and a sunflower bee (Svastra obliqua) on blanket flower. The American bumble bee is considered an at-risk species in some areas of the U.S., along with numerous other native bumble bees at risk or already listed as threatened and endangered . These bee populations at Quaker Research Farm have been observed over multiple years and benefit from the wildlfower resources established and maintained by our horticultural faculty and students. Dr. Longing and students will be working to determine population conditions of these key pollinators and their nesting resources in order to establish conservation and restoration practices to protect local populations on farms and in urban habitats. Conducting investigations that improve our understanding of pollinator resources integrates the horticulture and entomology programs in PSS and provides students hands-on learning opportunities involving important plant-pollinator interactions in Southern High Plains grasslands. More information on pollinators, their habitat and co-occurring anthophilous (i.e. flower-loving) insect communities can be found here.

All images Courtesy of Dr. Scott Longing