White-tailed Deer Photographed Consuming Rare Florida Endemic Shrub Fruit, Scrub Plum (prunus geniculata), Captured as Part of Life Study
White-tailed deer likely play a pivotal role in seed dispersal of one of Florida’s endangered shrubs
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Johnny Butterflyseed Designates Newly Acquired Baygall “Joyce’s Garden” as Largest Monarch Waystation and Butterfly Preserve on the Lake Wales Ridge within Highlands County Florida
On February 2nd, 2021, Johnny Butterflyseed, of Three Psilos, Inc., gained possession of a one-acre tract on the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Florida. Dedicated as “The Joyce E. Anderson Memorial Butterfly Preserve and Monarch Waystation” or simply “Joyce’s Garden,” the site will also serve as Johnny Butterflyseed’s Endangered Species Research Substation on the…
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Johnny Butterflyseed Proves Monarch Butterflies (Danaus plexippus) Can Nectar from Parry’s Jujube Flowers (Pseudoziziphus parryi)
There were still hundreds of the perfect little green flowers available for Stewie to sample. He was gently placed onto a small group of Florida Jujube flowers and immediately found nectar, drinking deeply. He meandered through the geniculate branches, tasting dozens of individual Jujube flowers.
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Scrub Plum in Blossom, Probably Pollinated by a Hairy Maggot Blow Fly
We found a Scrub Plum (prunus geniculata) being visited by a Hairy Maggot Blow Fly (chrysomya rufifacies) who, apparently, fuels on plum-flower nectar between carrion feasts. The hairs on the fly’s face, or even its proboscis, may pollinate the Scrub Plum’s beautiful flowers. While it is probable that this Blow Fly will pollinate the Scrub…
