Crowds at a nectar bar — Life in a Southern Forest

It’s now late Spring. Insect numbers have been rising rapidly over the last fortnight - particularly those of nectar-feeders like wasps, bees, flies and beetles.

Perfect timing for the first flowering of a plant that oozes nectar - the Prickly Teatree Leptospermum continentale.

Anatomy of the teatree flower

The teatree flower, like that of many Myrtaceae, provides an accessible and abundant source of both nectar and pollen.

The centre of the flower takes the form of a wide circular bowl. This makes the nectar available to virtually all insects, irrespective of the shape of their mouthparts.

Anthers are also very accessible, sitting at the top of long, upright stamens which ring the floral cup.

One of the first Prickly Teatree bushes to flower this Spring was a relatively tall plant - about 1.5m high - in the middle of our ‘grasstree sea’. This is an open area, so the white mass of flowers covering the spindly branches was very obvious - both to us and a host of insects.

Over several sunny days, we observed many different insect species feeding on the teatree flowers. The diversity was pretty impressive!

The bees

Featured

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Masked Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Hylaeus…a very small, hairless bee that looks more like a wasp.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Masked Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Hylaeus…it is small enough to gain ready access to the nectar in the teatree flower, pushing aside the stamens.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Masked Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Hylaeus…females ingest collected pollen and carry it back to the nest in their crop together with the nectar.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Euhesma Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Euhesma…another tiny bee, these were one of the most common insects on the teatree flowers. The lower bee can be seen lapping up nectar from the floral bowl with its tongue.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Euhesma Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

Euhesma…like Masked Bees, the female Euhesma transports the pollen and nectar back to the nest in its crop. They live solitary lives, nesting in a burrow in the soil.

HYMENOPTERA, Colletidae

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Sweat Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Lasioglossum…a rather large bee, about the size of a honeybee. Females collect pollen and hold it in special hairs (scopae) on the hind legs and underside of the abdomen. They are solitary and nest in burrows in the ground. However, several females may share a common entrance to their burrows.

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Sweat Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

Lasioglossum…this photo shows the short tongue (glossa) connected to a long extendible arm, enabling the bee to reach all parts of the flower bowl.

HYMENOPTERA, Halictidae

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

European Honey Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

Apis mellifera…a large bee, about the same size as the Sweat Bee seen nearby. The hairy eyes are a diagnostic feature of this feral species. Thankfully, we saw few on this teatree bush.

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

European Honey Bee

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

Apis mellifera…like the Sweat Bee, the Honey Bee holds its pollen in baskets on the flattened segments of the hind legs. This individual was more intent on nectar, rather than pollen collection - as shown by its bare legs.

HYMENOPTERA, Apidae

The wasps

Featured

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…The male carries the smaller, flightless female around, coupled end to end. He pauses occasionally to allow her to feed on nectar. We saw at least 4 different species of this sub-family, which is taxonomically poorly resolved. We called this one species 1.

Click here for more details about this group.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 1. The male is taking the opportunity to feed, while the female hangs off the end of his abdomen.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 2, a different species of flower wasp. The female is markedly smaller than the robust male in this case.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…we sighted a single female low down on the tea-tree bush. We suspect she was dropped by a male of species 2.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasps

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 3. The male is about the same size as in species 2, but the female is much larger.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 4. Same sub-family as the flower wasp species 1-3, but this one is tiny.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 4. This one fits neatly inside the floral cup.

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

Flower Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

sub-family Thynninae…species 4 approaching the teatree bush

HYMENOPTERA, Thynnidae

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Spider Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Calopompilus species 1…spider wasps feed their growing larvae paralysed, but still living spiders. The female stings a spider, carts it back to her burrow and places it in one of the cells, housing a single larva. As it grows, the larva gradually ingests the spider.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Spider Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Calopompilus species 1…nectar in the teatree flowers supplies the adult spider wasp with its energy needs.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Spider Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Calopompilus species 2…we sighted at least 3 species of spider wasps on the tea-tree flowers.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Spider Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Ctenostegus?…This spider wasp was very active, pausing only briefly on the flowers to take nectar.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Spider Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

Ctenostegus?…It had a distinctive, black and white striped abdomen and large spines on the mid and hind legs.

HYMENOPTERA, Pompilidae

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruptiid Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruption…This family of wasps has an extravagantly-elongated abdomen. The ovipositor, here marked with a white tip, is also a sight to behold. Coming in to land…

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruptiid Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruption…busy feeding on nectar. We sighted at least 3 different species of this strange wasp genus.

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruptiid Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruption…a male, judging from the lack of an ovipositor.

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruptiid Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

Gasteruption…yet another species of this genus - with an outrageously long ovipositor!

HYMENOPTERA, Gasteruptiidae

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Digger Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Podagritus…a much smaller wasp, which provisions its developing larvae with stung, paralysed flies. Read all about it in Kerri’s post from last Spring.

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Digger Wasp

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

Podagritus…here seen feeding on nectar from the teatree flower.

HYMENOPTERA, Crabronidae

The flies

Featured

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Bee Fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Staurostichus …Bee flies gain their common name from their fat, fuzzy bodies and their hovering style of flight. But the shape of its proboscis betrays it as a fly - as would its single pair of wings, if they were motionless. These flies were one of the most frequent visitors to the teatree flowers.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Bee Fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Staurostichus …this one has landed and is eyeing off the flower and its contents.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Bee Fly

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

Staurostichus …down to work! The fly sweeps the floral bowl with its long proboscis, sucking up nectar. Those wings almost never stop beating, even when the fly is at rest.

DIPTERA, Bombyliidae

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Flesh Fly

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Sarcophaga…Now this is a more normal looking fly. Definitely just one pair of wings. And it’s a rather attractive example - particularly, if you’re a Hawthorn supporter! The three parallel black stripes on its back place it in the family Sarcophagidae.

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Flesh Fly

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Sarcophaga…The common name ‘Flesh Fly’ reflects the fact that the larvae of several members of this family develop in cadavers and carrion. The adults are found in the same locales, depositing their larvae and gaining nutrients for egg production from the products of decomposition. Probably not your favourite insect!

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Flesh Fly

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

Sarcophaga…The adults are often found in more pleasant places - at flowers, satisfying their own energy needs by eating nectar. They use the same instrument as the bee fly, the proboscis.

DIPTERA, Sarcophagidae

DIPTERA, Platystomatidae

Signal Fly

DIPTERA, Platystomatidae

Duomyia…some signal flies wave their wings back and forth. This type lifts its legs up and down to attract the attention of mates.

DIPTERA, Platystomatidae

Signal Fly

DIPTERA, Platystomatidae

Duomyia…but these flies were preoccupied with feeding rather than mating.

DIPTERA, Platystomatidae

DIPTERA, Acroceridae

Small-headed Fly

DIPTERA, Acroceridae

Mesophysa…a very strange looking fly. The tiny head is dominated by the large eyes.

DIPTERA, Acroceridae

Small-headed Fly

DIPTERA, Acroceridae

Mesophysa…a side view of a feeding fly shows those huge eyes to good effect. The larvae of these flies are internal parasitoids of mygalomorph spiders - including funnel-web and trapdoor spiders.

DIPTERA, Acroceridae

DIPTERA, Tachinidae

Bristle Fly

DIPTERA, Tachinidae

Senostoma…these large, bristly long-legged flies are often seen feeding on flowers.

DIPTERA, Tachinidae

The beetles

Featured

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Pin-tail Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Mordella…these small beetles were abundant on the teatree flowers, where they were feeding on both nectar and pollen.

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Pin-tail Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Mordella…the strongly serrated antennae place these beetles in this genus.

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Pin-tail Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

Mordella…they were very active - befitting their other common name of tumbling beetles - and flew off quickly if disturbed.

COLEOPTERA, Mordellidae

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Phyllotocus…swarms of these large, slow-moving beetles were found around and over the teatree bush, feeding on both pollen and nectar.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Phyllotocus…their large size and rather clumsy movements meant they were continually brushing against the anthers of the flowers. This behaviour, together with their hairy head and pronotum makes them important pollinators.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Phyllotocus...this one can be seen taking nectar

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Kangaroo Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Mecynodera coxalgica…despite their enlarged hind femora - which lend this species its common name - these beetles can’t jump. Instead they crawl slowly around the teatree flowers, consuming pollen.

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Kangaroo Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Mecynodera coxalgica…this shot shows those ‘kangaroo’ legs to good effect.

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Kangaroo Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

Mecynodera coxalgica…another view of those impressive hind legs. Remember, you can’t jump!

COLEOPTERA, Chrysomelidae

COLEOPTERA, Elateridae

Click Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Elateridae

Click Beetle…searching for pollen. Another potential pollinator, as seen by the grains on its back.

COLEOPTERA, Elateridae

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

Checkered Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

Eleale pulcher…this striking beetle was definitely targetting pollen

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

Checkered Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

Eleale pulcher…its bold body patterning and colouration deters potential predators.

COLEOPTERA, Cleridae

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Punctate Flower Chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Neorrhina punctatum…this large, striking flower chafer - like other beetles in this group - is an important pollinator.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Punctate Flower Chafer

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

Neorrhina punctatum…it is seen here feeding on nectar.

COLEOPTERA, Scarabaeidae

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Net-winged Beetle

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

Net-winged Beetle…advertise their unpleasant taste to birds and other predators with bold colouration.

COLEOPTERA, Lycidae

The butterflies

Featured

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Bright Copper

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Paralucia aurifer…butterflies were infrequent visitors to the teatree flowers. The Bright Copper was one of the few species to make an appearance.

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Bright Copper

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

Paralucia aurifer…a side-on view of the feeding butterfly shows its long proboscis, sucking up nectar from the bowl of the teatree flower.

LEPIDOPTERA, Lycaenidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

Lilac Grass-Skipper

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

Toxidia doubledayi…an occasional visitor to the teatree bush. Its larvae feed on Weeping Grass (Microlaena stipoides), one of our most common grasses. The long proboscis reaches nectar in the floral cup from a distance.

LEPIDOPTERA, Hesperiidae

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Common Brown Butterfly

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

Heteronympha merope…the most common butterfly currently in the forest. Its long proboscis is almost overkill for accessing nectar from the expansive teatree flower.

LEPIDOPTERA, Nymphalidae

A cockroach

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BLATTODEA, Ectobiidae

Wood Cockroach

BLATTODEA, Ectobiidae

Wood cockroach…We sighted this small cockroach grazing on the anthers of the teatree flower at night.

BLATTODEA, Ectobiidae

Wood Cockroach

BLATTODEA, Ectobiidae

Wood Cockroach… probably contributes to pollination of the plant.

BLATTODEA, Ectobiidae

The predators - Spiders and Ants

Featured

ARANEAE, Thomisidae

Lozenge-shaped Crab Spider

ARANEAE, Thomisidae

Australomisidia pilula…this small spider relies on camouflage to avoid detection while sitting still astride a teatree flower. It dashes out quickly to grab an unwary nearby insect.

ARANEAE, Thomisidae

Lozenge-shaped Crab Spider

ARANEAE, Thomisidae

Australomisidia pilula…the long legs of the spider enable it to tackle prey much larger than the modest size of its trunk. Its green and brown colouration mimics some of the parts of the flowers.

ARANEAE, Thomisidae