Strangers in Strange Lands. Dronefly, Eristalis tenax, on Scarlet Paintbrush, Crassula perfoliata var. minor, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The pretty Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam has very recently entirely renovated and replanted their succulent glass house. It's all a bit squeaky new and clean but will soon come into its own.
Here's pretty Scarlet Paintbrush, Crassula perfoliata var. minor. It hails from the dry areas of southern South Africa. No doubt it's visited at home by Hoverflies. The African continent has some 180 species of Hoverflies and a number of these are exclusive to South Africa. Eristalis tenax is not native to South Africa at all. It was introduced there from Europe possibly in the nineteenth century as it was to North America around 1875. This particular 'Amsterdam' Dronefly, though, is voraciously enjoying South-African Crassulan sweets. In fact, our Dutch Hoverfly seems quite at home on this Scarlet Paintbrush from Africa.
Here Tenax is shut out from the Cold Dutch Autumn in the pleasantly dry Tropical Glass House; it's nice to imagine that in South Africa its brothers and sisters can feast on Crassula in warmth out of doors...
Strangers in Strange Lands. Dronefly, Eristalis tenax, on Scarlet Paintbrush, Crassula perfoliata var. minor, Hortus Botanicus, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
The pretty Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam has very recently entirely renovated and replanted their succulent glass house. It's all a bit squeaky new and clean but will soon come into its own.
Here's pretty Scarlet Paintbrush, Crassula perfoliata var. minor. It hails from the dry areas of southern South Africa. No doubt it's visited at home by Hoverflies. The African continent has some 180 species of Hoverflies and a number of these are exclusive to South Africa. Eristalis tenax is not native to South Africa at all. It was introduced there from Europe possibly in the nineteenth century as it was to North America around 1875. This particular 'Amsterdam' Dronefly, though, is voraciously enjoying South-African Crassulan sweets. In fact, our Dutch Hoverfly seems quite at home on this Scarlet Paintbrush from Africa.
Here Tenax is shut out from the Cold Dutch Autumn in the pleasantly dry Tropical Glass House; it's nice to imagine that in South Africa its brothers and sisters can feast on Crassula in warmth out of doors...