Pasqueflower and Prairie Smoke

A couple of solid wildflower firsts today, Pasqueflower and Prairie Smoke, both in bloom at McKnight Prairie.

As for the pollinators of these early flowers, I thought I saw one bee and actually did see a number of tachinid flies, probably of the genus Gonia. These large, goonie-looking, white-faced flies are thought to be parasitoids of Owlet moths (Noctuidae).

As with so many endeavors, along with the good comes a little bad—while enjoying the spring flowers I find the first tick of the year, an American Dog Tick crawling on my shoulder.

Posted on April 8, 2017 03:12 AM by scottking