Carpenter Bee – Tendrils

Nothing to worry about, though it reminds me of a Horsefly. Actually something to cheer about. This is a Tiger Bee Fly (Xenox tigrinus). It doesn’t show any aggression toward humans. No stinging. No biting.

Measuring in at one-half to three-quarter inch long, the Tiger Bee Fly is an insect of the family Bombyliidae (bee flies), which is native to the eastern United States and southern Ontario. It’s a wonderful pollinator in our gardens with an extra SUPER benefit that is brought to our homes and yards. The female Tiger Bee Fly lays her eggs near the entrance to Carpenter Bee nests. As her larvae hatch they enter the Carpenter Bee nests and eat those larvae. A parasite of Carpenter Bees! I must put out a sign saying, “Welcome Tiger Bee Flies!”

Here Gaillardias are growing wild in New Mexico, at Bandelier National Monument. A park I’ve visited many times. And hope to visit many more times.

And more Gaillardias growing wild at Bandelier National Monument. It seems they’re ubiquitous!

It amuses me. My Dad had a thing about digging up Dandelions in his lawn. He was always in a battle with them. That was in Maryland. My father-in-law also had a thing about digging things up from his lawn. The flowers he was in a constant battle with? Gaillardia. That was in New Mexico.

I love Gaillardias. But I must plant them, and care for them. I guess a weed is something that grows where you don’t want it to be.

Gaillardias are in the Sunflower family. Gaillardia is a genus of flowering plants that are native to the Americas. There are twenty-five to thirty species of Gaillardia, annuals, biennials, and perennials. There are also many cultivars.

Many pollinators are attracted to the bright colors of the blooms. Such as the Honey Bee in the previous image, and here a Carpenter Bee.

Butterflies love Gaillardia too. Here a Silvery Checkerspot is enjoying a Gaillardia in one of my gardens.