Beetles as pollinators

Butterflies and bees get all the pollination credit, but beetles are the unsung heroes of the pollen-swapping insect world. These beetles waggled furiously on a dandelion blossom, trading partners and going from flower party to flower party.

Bee works during compost tour

A tiny bee works to pollinate a wildflower near a compost bin at St. David's Community Garden. The bee worked while a group of city officials and activists attended a compost tour to raise support for curbside composting in Austin.

Photos from the tour

KXAN | Compost tour spreads awareness of local composting efforts

Bee trio pollinates squash

A trio of bees pollinate a squash flower, while a tiny ant also seeks nectar.

Wasp mimic on parsley

What seems to be a wasp mimic pollinates parsley flowers.

A bouquet for two

A fly and tiny butterfly share a cluster of flowers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Bumble bee pollinates

A bumble bee buries its head in a blossom while scouting a forest of flower stalks at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. 

Bumble bee on blue sage

A bumble bee pollinates blue sage (Salvia farinacea).

Bee on white flower

A bee pollinates a white flower at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Beetle pollinates firewheel

What appears to be a juvenile click beetle pollinates a firewheel, also called Indian blanket, (Gaillardia pulchella).

Bee on thisle

A bee nestles into a Texas thistle (Cirsium texanum) at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Fake bee pollinates as well as genuine bee

A bee mimicking fly pollinates a firewheel flower, also called Indian blanket (Gaillardia pulchella). These pollinators are just as effective at helping plants reproduce as bees are.

Tiny bee on yellow flower

A tiny bee pollinates a golden flower at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Bee on chocolate flower

While at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, I was stunned by the view from the Visitor's Gallery. It's a patio overlooking a grassy meadow and karst landscape. These chocolate flowers were among the most fragrant I've smelled. No wonder the bees favored them over other nearby blossoms.

Hoverfly pollinates parsley flower

Loads of hoverfly have been all over the parsley flowers. They mimic bees in appearance and also serve a similar role: pollinating.

More than a drink

As a bee drinks nectar from a wine cup blossom, large white granules of pollen stick to her back.

Bee on snapdragon

While tending to the pollinator garden at Gardens at Gus Garcia, about a dozen bees hovered around the snapdragons. Bees loaded with pollen are such a joy to see up close. Tillery Plant Co. regularly donates their surplus plants to help keep the garden in bloom.

Bee in cucumber

Cucumbers won't produce fruit if they aren't pollinated. Thank you miss bee!

Basil bee

A bee sips nectar from a cinnamon basil flower.

Giving life to a cucumber

Without pollinators like bees, cucumbers would not be able to reproduce.

Bee on broccoli

Bees find broccoli flowers irresistible.