By Deborah Reed
WKTV Managing Editor
An Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly and a bumblebee were found sharing space on a milkweed plant at Van Buren State Park over the weekend.
Both pollinators, butterflies and bees are often drawn to brightly colored flowers, as well as open or flat tubular blooms with an abundance of pollen or nectar.
Butterflies
Butterflies typically probe for nectar, which is their flight fuel. Clusters of flowers that provide a stable landing platform and nectar deeply hidden inside the blooms are most popular.
Flowers containing nectar guides that help the bees find the flower’s center quickly are also a favorite – and facilitate rapid nectar collection and flower pollination.
Though an adequate pollinator, butterflies are not quite as efficient as its bumblebee partner due to their long, thin legs creating a higher perch on the flower. The thin legs and higher perch prevent as much pollen from sticking to the body of the butterfly versus that of the bumblebee.
Bumblebees
Fat and furry, bumblebees are slightly smaller than similar-looking carpenter bees. The hairs on their legs and body, called setae, help the bumblebee collect pollen and nectar.
Bumblebees are drawn to flowers in the ultraviolet color range, though they cannot see red like butterflies can. Fragrant flowers are particularly appealing to bees.
Like butterflies, bees are also attracted to clusters of flat or tubular flowers that provide a landing pad and a wealth of pollen and nectar.
