By Robert A. Behrstock
The rarely encountered wasp
Smeringodynerus morelios
transfers pollinia as
it takes nectar from Arizona milkweed.
Arizona
milkweed is a Mexican species barely entering the United States. Small
populations inhabit moist canyons in isolated “Sky Island” mountain ranges hosting
numerous other tropical plants and animals. Its flowers attract a huge assortment
of butterflies and other insects, and, unlike some other Southwestern
milkweeds, the plant is easily propagated, making it a valuable addition to pollinator
gardens and habitat restoration sites. Its value for monarch butterflies has
been suggested but is unclear. Of the many insects attracted to its nectar, those
serving to pollinate its flowers have not been identified.
Read the whole summary in: English & Spanish!
Read
the scientific publication in JPE.
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