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Upcoming Webinars Pollination Biology 101 July 22nd - 2-3 pm Join us for a 1-hour webinar taught by Dr. Arathi Seshadri on pollination biology. This webinar will look closely at the specialized relationship between plants and their pollinators. Learn more about the process of pollination and plant reproduction, plant strategies to attract pollinators, and other plant-pollinator interactions. Register here! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link. Dr. Arathi Seshadri is a pollination biologist with expertise in honey bee behavior, pollination ecology and plant reproductive strategies. With a training in evolutionary biology, her research projects focus on applying principles of plant-pollinator mutualism to improve pollinator health and pollination efficiency. Dr. Seshadri’s contribution to pollinator conservation include projects related to enhancing the sustainability of all pollinators including native bees on farm land and in urban areas. Her research explores agroecosystem-based approaches and citizen science programs to promote pollinator diversity and abundance. Working with beekeepers and farmer stakeholders, Dr. Seshadri is currently working on projects aimed at finding solutions to the ongoing challenges faced by bee pollinators. Q+A Webinar July 28th - 3-4pm How is data collecting going this summer? What questions do you have? This webinar is to help you improve with data collection. Let us know what challenges you are having, what is going well, and what could go better. If you have bee or insect identification questions, please send pictures before the webinar so I can show the pictures to everyone. If we don't have many questions to answer, we will go over some bee identification tips. Register here! After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom link. A green metallic sweat bee ( Agapostemon sp.) on an evening primrose flower. Photo: Lisa Mason

New Resources Available!

Have you looked at the website recently? The 'Volunteer Resources' tab on the Native Bee Watch website continues to be the home base for all materials needed for citizen scientists. The password is: beesRfun If you haven't seen the new resources, you don't want to miss the following: Bee Size Comparisons is a new chart showing the size ranges in each category of bee. Learn more about bee identification in a PowerPoint developed by CSU entomologist, Boris Kondratieff. Read the FAQ document, an ongoing list of questions from volunteers this summer. Watch a recorded 1-hour class on creating pollinator habitat called Pollinator Paradise.

Visit 'Volunteer Resources'

A Note About Carpenter Bees

From Dr. Cranshaw, CSU Entomologist: There have been few reports, ever, of a "large carpenter bee" occurring in eastern Colorado. However, there have been two reports of them this year (Denver, Longmont) and I would like to learn of others, should they be observed. Large carpenter bees resemble bumble bees, but may be even a bit larger. They are also much less hairy, often with part of their body being shiny blue/black. Large carpenter bees get their name since they nest in wood. They will excavate wood and these are fairly common insects in parts of the eastern United States, tunneling into dead trees and wooden structures, including homes sometime. The collections this year included Xylocopa virginica , which is an eastern species that has been collected a couple of times in the past in eastern Colorado, presumably brought in on wood with developing bees inside. Photos of this are at:  https://bugguide.net/node/view/3509 The one recently found in Denver was Xylocopa sonorina , a native of the SW   https://bugguide.net/node/view/13232/data   If you happen to see large bumble bee-like insects tunneling into/nesting in wood then it is likely one of these. P.S.  We do have lots of 'small carpenter bees", Ceratina species. They will nest in the pith of branches and canes. Much smaller and resemble a leafcutter bee more than a bumble bee  If you think you see a carpenter bee, please send a picture to NativeBeeWatch@gmail.com .

A carpenter bee ( Xylocopa virginica ). Photo: Donna K. Race, BugGuide

A bumble bee that looks similar to a carpenter bee ( Bombus griseocollis ) . Photo: Diane Wilson

The Fascinating Lives of Butterflies

Have you noticed caterpillars munching on your pansies this summer? Find what beautiful butterfly to turn into! While this story isn't bee-related, who doesn't love butterflies? I recently wrote this story for the CO-Horts Blog, and thought you might be interested in learning a little more about these lovely flower visitors. Read the full article

Photo: A two-tailed swallowtail visiting a Rocky Mountain penstemon plant. Photo: Lisa Mason

Sarah's Science Based Sustainability Videos

Check Facebook Live videos of CSU Extension Intern, Sarah Viders sharing tips and tricks on leading a more sustainable life. She covers topics such as native plants, water conservation, recycling and more. You can catch her videos live on Fridays at noon through July 31 on the Arapahoe County Master Gardener Facebook page or watch the videos afterwards on the Arapahoe County Extension Website .

Want to learn more about insects, plants, trees, gardens, lawns and more? Sign up for The Garden Buzz e-newsletter . Produced by Arapahoe County Extension to provide you with timely and relevant information about the happenings in your landscape. Newsletters are emailed every other month. Past newsletters can be found here.

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