Bee Fly visiting Sticky False Gilyflower (Allophyllum glutinosum)
This is a small Bee Fly (order Bombyliidae, Diptera) approaching a new flower of native Sticky False Gilyflower (Allophyllum glutinosum) in the Polemoniaceae plant family in our canyon. (No relation to gillyweed in Harry Potter 4! I've never actually heard anyone use this name.) It's a remarkable summer plant that's just starting to flower and will probably continue until September or later. It's a remarkable fly too. It looks like a small version of the larger genus Bombylius flies that we get in mid-winter, see this photo, so maybe it's the same genus? At least I guess it is in the same tribe Bombyliini of the subfamily Bombyliinae. The fly won't actually land on the flower, but it will perch on its front legs while keeping in the air - see this photo. (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 28 May 2017)
I'm still feeling crummy with a cold, but it was a nice day to feel crummy on! It was sunny all day with temps in the 70s and modest breeze. Tomorrow sounds like more of the same.
Bee Fly visiting Sticky False Gilyflower (Allophyllum glutinosum)
This is a small Bee Fly (order Bombyliidae, Diptera) approaching a new flower of native Sticky False Gilyflower (Allophyllum glutinosum) in the Polemoniaceae plant family in our canyon. (No relation to gillyweed in Harry Potter 4! I've never actually heard anyone use this name.) It's a remarkable summer plant that's just starting to flower and will probably continue until September or later. It's a remarkable fly too. It looks like a small version of the larger genus Bombylius flies that we get in mid-winter, see this photo, so maybe it's the same genus? At least I guess it is in the same tribe Bombyliini of the subfamily Bombyliinae. The fly won't actually land on the flower, but it will perch on its front legs while keeping in the air - see this photo. (East Camino Cielo, Santa Ynez Mountains, 28 May 2017)
I'm still feeling crummy with a cold, but it was a nice day to feel crummy on! It was sunny all day with temps in the 70s and modest breeze. Tomorrow sounds like more of the same.