Backyard Orchard News
The Flora and the Fauna at the Old State Capitol
Erected in 1852, this historic building was ostensibly intended for Benicia City Hall. Offered as...
A Western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus) spreads its wings on the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A Gulf Fritilliary (Agraulis vanillae) nectars on lantana on the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A pomegranate tree with double-blossoms graces the grounds of the Benicia State Capitol and draws honey bees and other insects. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The Benicia City Hall building was built in 1852, and served as the state capitol from Feb. 4, 1853 to Feb. 25, 1854. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Pollen Power
The conversation usually starts like this: "I saw this huge, huge bumble bee with yellow on its...
Gold dust? No, this is pollen covering the thorax of this female Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, nectaring on the passionflower vine (Passiflora). (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Pollen from the passionflower vine is brushing against this Valley carpenter bee. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of the Gulf Fritillary. Its host plant is the passionflower vine, Passiflora. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Surprising Research Results: What the Microbes in Nectar Revealed
It's surprising what the microbes in nectar can reveal. Take the nectar of the sticky...
Researchers studied the microbes in the nectar of the sticky monkeyflower, Mimulus auranticus. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Three's a Crowd: The Saga of Two Stink Bugs and a Bee
So, here we are, a couple of stink bugs hidden in the lavender. Unnoticed. Undetected....
Find the redshouldered stink bugs in the lavender. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A honey bee seeking nectar buzzes by the stink bugs. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
The honey bee ignores the stink bugs and sips nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
No Fun Having a 'Hole in One'
It's no fun having a "hole in one." No, not golf. A hole in your butterfly habitat. So, here it...
Tachinid fly maggot crawls from a monarch chrysalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of a tachinid fly maggot, freshly emerged from its host, a monarch chrysalis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Size comparison: a penny, a newly emerged tachinid fly maggot and pupae. The maggot will soon darken and harden and turn into a pupa. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)