December 2022 May your holiday bee more wonderful with this series by Ethan Robison, Pollinator Educator and Outreach Specialist! If you'd like to put out a feeder for hummingbirds this winter, try adding a bit more sugar to your syrup mixture. This will LOWER the freezing point of the syrup, so it will stay liquid at colder temperatures! But once summer comes around, be sure to return to your normal ratio of 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. You may not even see these ground nesting bees! Seventy percent of bees nest in the ground, so those little holes in your backyard just might be home to several baby bees! Avoiding pesticide use and not laying down thick layers of woody mulch is really important to avoid hurting them. We agree with the The Xerces Society : “When it comes to ground nesting bees, access to bare ground is essential, and even a 1-inch layer of mulch can be as impenetrable as pavement to these small bees.” Want to support native migratory butterflies like the Monarch and many others? Well we recommend planting a diverse array of native plants, from trees to shrubs to flowering plants. Many plants serve as hosts to butterfly larvae (aka caterpillars), like the pearly everlasting we grew in our propagation nursery. Those little shrubs turned out to be one of the few plants that the American Lady cater-pillar can eat! It is also critical to have flowers blooming throughout the year, to provide plenty of nectar for the adult butterflies. If there are specific butterflies you might want to see in your yard, research their host plants and favored nectar flowers to add to your yard. Photo by Kathy Riley Learn more about growing a butterfly garden in this resource from OSU Extension. Yes, it's true - more caterpillars means more birds in the landscape! To help the birds (and the butterflies and moths!), please consider planting native trees and shrubs as well as flowering garden plants in your yard. "Committing to native plants will not only play host to caterpillars and birds, but also support bees and other wildlife. They will absorb and filter rainwater, improve air quality, and make a beautiful addition to your landscape. When tree shopping, be sure to purchase a native species rather than an exotic. A native variety can support 35 times more caterpillars than a non-native variety of the same species!" For the Birds: The Importance of Caterpillars At this point in winter, Mason Bees are hidden away in their nests, waiting until spring to emerge. Many people put up mason bee houses to invite these great pollinators of spring flowering plants into their yard. But beware the cute little ‘short house’, which are too often found in stores. Because if the nesting tunnels are less than 6” deep, the mama bee will lay only male eggs - which could be a problem for the next generation! But keep in mind that a mason bee “house” is not required for you to see these crevice nesters next spring. Consider how many holes in trees or old wood or openings in rock walls there might be in your yard. And winter is a great time to plant spring-flowering trees and shrubs like maples, cane fruit, redbuds, currants, apples, and more, to feed those fast-moving mason bees next year! Photo by M.J Raupp The Owlet moth is one of the 11,000 species of moths in the US. Compare that number to the only 750 species of butterflies! Yup, those numbers are correct! Wondering about the difference between moths and butterflies? There are a number of ways you can tell which is which, as outlined in this article from the Deschutes Land Trust. When most people think of pollinators, honey bees are the first thing that come to mind. That’s understandable, since we see these everywhere, but did you know that the European honey bee is not actually native to the Americas? There are about 4,000 species of NATIVE bees in the US alone, and at least 700 species are found in Oregon. Honey bees contribute so much to human agri-culture, but native bees are the most important pollinators for our native ecosystems. Photo by Tanner Smida Carpenter bees usually will not tunnel into painted wood. Therefore, a more permanent solution is to paint unfinished wood surfaces, especially those with a history of infestation. Beetles were some of the first insects to pollinate flowers, and remain one of the most important and diverse group of pollinators around today. "There are 380,000 named living species of beetles, constituting nearly one-fourth of all known animal species on our planet. "-Cerruti R Hooks and Anahí Espíndola. Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey Lots of flies are pollinators! Check out this informative - and icky! - article about how some scientists are trying to learn how to attract more flies to farms! Photo by Barbara Cooper Are you ready for the scoop on poop? Here's a quote from an informative article by Dave Foley at WildLifeOn: "Different butterfly species consume the excrement of other animals as a way to obtain essential minerals and nutrients. This behavior, known as coprophagy, is observed in a wide range of butterflies. It helps them to supplement their diets with necessary minerals that are not available in their natural environments." Bumblebees have a fascinating life cycle. To help make sure there is enough habitat for these pollinators, try leaving large sections of untilled and undisturbed ground. This can help you avoid bugging the overwintering queens. Photo by Nancy Partlow and Glen Buschmann We hope you enjoyed this series! Happy Holidays to you! May we all see more of these pollinators next year!

By Jenn Roe, Natural History Docent at-large Summer is gone and our world shifts gears into fall, and then winter mode. The blooms of the earlier seasons give way to fruits of their vegetative labor: seed beds, berries, nuts, and other forms of embryonic plant progeny, all hold promise of next year’s floral offspring plus an extra yield: cuisine for native wildlife in the fall and winter. Observant hikers can spy autumnal foodstuff while wandering the mountain’s grocery aisles aka trails. Coffeeberry, blackberry, toyon berry and wild grapes, madrone and manzanita fruits, bright red rosehips are just some of the menu items on offer. And oh so many acorns, the tremendous autumn and winter food source for many oak woodland residents. But acorns aren’t the only seasonal edibles found in oak branches. Look up in the tree’s crown and you might see an evergreen shrub that grows in a jumbled ball of fuzzy stems and leaves, a native plant with a rich natural and cultural history and yet routinely misunderstood: oak mistletoe. Mistletoe conjures up the holidays in many human cultures, but for wildlife it represents an altogether different reality. Food, shelter, a place to hunt, nutrients for the soil and plant-life beneath it, a plant host for hungry caterpillars. These are all ways that oak mistletoe interacts with life around it. To know it is to love it – or at least like it more. What better reason to delve into the nature – and culture – of mistletoe? Historically, mistletoe is a plant-celeb, well represented in international folklore and myth. Early on, oak-worshipping Druids adopted mistletoe as a sacred symbol of life and fertility evidenced by evergreen leaves and bountiful berries in the dead of frozen winter. Kissing under mistletoe by then considered an aphrodisiac began during Kronia, the Greek harvest festival later Roman Saturnalia. It was incorporated in fertility rights used in marriage ceremonies and on farms. Ancient Romans and Scandinavians thought it a plant of peace under which warring enemies and quarreling couples could call a truce. In medieval Europe, homes decked with mistletoe were protected from fire, trolls, and witches. Victorian England reworked its legend to today’s Christmas-time tradition whereby a decorated sprig overhead is permission for stolen kisses. By comparison, oak mistletoe’s factual role in nature lacks the thrill of the supernatural, but it’s no less magical to wildlife that shares its existence. All 13,000-plus species of mistletoe are a type of parasite, plants that feed off another without reciprocation. Parasite is a loaded term with villainous connotations amplified in this case by oak mistletoe’s scientific name, Phoradendrom villosum. Phora comes from Greek, meaning thief, and dendron, meaning tree. Villosum means hairy in reference to its leaves and stems. Thus, oak mistletoe is labeled a hairy tree thief. Not the best brand for a good first impression. In truth, it’s a hemiparasite and therefore only half (hemi) parasitic. It takes water and minerals from its host, but not carbohydrates. Mistletoe’s tiny root-like structures are called haustoria from the Latin word haustor, meaning things that draw in. They infiltrate the host like so many teensy-tiny straws, sipping juices from the tree’s xylem, tissues that transport fluids up from roots to branches and leaves. But like other green plants, oak mistletoe makes its own energy by photosynthesizing its own vital sugars rather than stealing them from its host. According to a recent study by Walter D. Koenig, whose many credentials include Research Zoologist Emeritus at UC Berkeley, on the effects of oak mistletoe on California oaks, “the negative consequences of Phoradendron presence on their hosts are negligible … and outweighed by the important ecosystem services mistletoe provides.” Mistletoe’s ecosystem services make it a microhabitat in its own right. For example, the abundance and diversity of birds is directly tied to the presence of mistletoe. Its elevated bundle of fuzzy stems and leaves is a well-disguised nesting site to several bird species. House wrens, mourning doves, pygmy nuthatches, hummingbirds and others, including raptors like Cooper’s hawks and some owls, all find it a fine place to nest. Its plump berries, toxic to humans, are yummy edibles especially prized by birds (more on birds later). A flowering plant, mistletoe is a nectar and pollen resource for creatures that seek the same. Lizards and birds hunt insects in its branches. The leaves are high-protein forage for deer and other browsers, and fallen leaves infuse the soil with nitrogen, phosphorus and other nutrients that ripple through the soil food web. Mistletoe is the only host plant for the beautiful Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly. Whew - that’s a lot of ecosystem services! So how does a shrub land itself in the tree-tops and why do some trees have some or many mistletoe clumps while others one or none? Short answer: birds. Mistletoe’s partnership with birds was an evolutionary leap that allowed it to rise above its root-sucking parasitic ancestor, Sandalwood FYI, to today’s lofty lifestyle. Mistletoe depends heavily on birds to get around, relying on bird poop-dispersal to deliver seeds to high branches that offer it better opportunity to thrive than the shaded woodland floor. A tree-crown residence provides improved access to sunlight for photosynthesizing and more distance from the reach of earthbound leaf-nibbling animals. Named for this bird-plant relationship, mistletoe comes from Old English “mistiltan” derived from two even older Anglo-Saxon words; mistel, meaning dung, and tan, meaning twig. Modern translation: poop-on-a-stick. Apparently, the tree-worshiping druids noticed mistletoe grew on dung-splattered tree parts. Mistletoe berries are filled with viscous pulp that sticks like glue. In turn, sticky seeds tack onto bird beaks and feet and are wiped off (planted) onto twigs and branches. After digestion, seeds come through intact which allows birds to deposit them on places they like to roost best. So why do some oaks have a lot of mistletoe and others not? It’s a sign of a bird-favored tree, or not. Let’s not overlook oak mistletoe’s inconspicuous, to humans, petal-less flowers that appear July through September. Each flower is either male or female and grows on separate shrubs; hence, each plant is either male or female. Fortunately, the modest blooms don’t go unnoticed by insect pollinators. Their visitation ensures there are berries in winter when other food is scarce, good timing for hungry animals, like squirrels and deer, but especially birds. Western bluebirds, mourning doves, grosbeaks, American robins and cedar waxwings are among the many feathered fans that literally flock to mistletoe in winter to dine on its fruit. Western bluebirds so prize mistletoe berries that an extended family will take possession of a high yielding plant defending it against all other comers. Bluebird owners of a fruitful clump stay mostly together living off their berry harvest through winter when insect fare is meagre. Female offspring usually disperse at maturity, but sons stay behind as helpers so long as food is available, and thus enjoy a bluebird form of intergenerational wealth. But when berries disappear, so do the sons. Sound familiar? Often misunderstood and no longer revered by people, mistletoe retains its deep value in nature. Next time you walk under one, perhaps you’ll find more to appreciate than stolen kisses. Photo Credits: Closeup of mistletoe bunch on Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) : A. Kirch Mistletoe feels firm but fuzzy : A. Kirch Great Purple Hairstreak butterfly (Atlides halesus) : butterflyidentification.com Oak mistletoe flower : 2005 Dennis Stevenson @ plantsytematics.org Male Western Bluebird eating ripe mistletoe berries : Jimmy Zabriskie @ Las Cruces Sun News

Hannah Borgerson, Ethan Robison, and Sue Fthenakis. Not shown: Sara Enriquez and Pete Gonzalves. by Ethan Robison and Kristina Lefever What happens when you give passionate educators free cheese? An Education Committee apparently! Since September, PPRV has been putting together an Education Committee devoted to outreach and curriculum design for our Pollinator Pals program. Working with schools, youth programs, and outdoor educators, our goal is to provide high-quality and locally focused education for students of all ages throughout the Rogue Valley. This goal has encouraged us to push our boundaries in many different ways, and we have greatly increased our efforts in research, community outreach, and in-person teaching. We are thrilled to be working with the volunteers who have joined our Education Committee and are already working to expand PPRV’s educational offerings. Each in-person meeting starts with sharing a cheese tray from our neighbor, the Oregon Cheese Cave - but we’re pretty sure they would show up either way! On our committee, we have educators and experts from around Southern Oregon. To start with, Ethan Robison was brought on as PPRV’s first ever United Communities AmeriCorps member, our Pollinator Outreach and Education Specialist. Included in his job description is the formation of a committee to expand our education and outreach opportunities. Ethan contacted Hannah Borgerson, a former AmeriCorps member who worked with the education programs at Ruch Outdoor Community School and carries a passion for learning and teaching about healthy and sustainable ecosystems. Next up was Sue Fthenakis, an educator with over a decade of in-school experience and a profound understanding of how to support students in the classroom. Following this, Sara Enriquez joined our team, bringing 40 years of education to the table, as well as an understanding of what educators might want from PPRV. Last but not least, we convinced Pete Gonzalvez to join the committee so he can lend some of his ecology, entomology, and native plant knowledge to education in the Rogue Valley. You can learn more about these great committee members here. So far, PPRV has designed customized lessons and activities for several schools throughout the Rogue Valley. Even before the Education Committee’s first meeting, we ran a class for the students at Armadillo Technical Institute (ATI) in Phoenix. We brought several American Lady (Vanessa virginensis) chrysalises for the ATI students to “adopt.” During the class, the students learned about the various environmental conditions and ecological needs of their butterflies, and over the two weeks following the lesson, they released all of their American Ladies into the school's pollinator garden. (See our earlier blogs "Look What Happens When You Grow Pearly Everlasting" to learn how these wild butterflies came to be at PPRV. That same week, Ethan taught 4 classes at the Brighton Academy in Grants Pass for students grade 6-12. These lessons focused on the evolution of pollination, environmentally friendly pest management, and pollinator anatomy. While these lessons were fun and informative, there were definitely things that could be improved. A great reason for the education committee! Having one or two people designing a curriculum may work, but it won't be as effective as a team of experienced and knowledgeable educators working together. Along with building in-person lessons for local schools, PPRV is planning to develop a “Pollinator Pals Lesson Kit” for educators around the valley. Our goal is to invite teachers to check out a physical box full of lesson plans, activities, and supplies, as a way to provide well-researched native pollinator and plant information to students of all ages. Recently, PPRV got the chance to test out a lesson plan that will be in our Pollinator Pals kit with Talent Elementary’s Outdoor Discovery Program (students K-5). Thanks to teachers Jess and Spencer for inviting us! Sara, Ethan, and Hannah, along with PPRV’s volunteer president, Kristina, taught the kids about how different flowers work with different pollinators. To help them visualize this relationship, the students constructed models of different flowers, and even pollinators, using an array of materials. Apparently, those little teeth cleaning brushes make great anthers! Check out the pictures of their amazing work! This lesson was a hit with the students and teachers - all thanks to the combined efforts of the Education Committee. Each person provided suggestions and advice that truly refined the lesson plan and materials into something enjoyable for the Outdoor Discovery Program students. Now, we are working on developing lessons and activities for students at Bellview Elementary School, Ashland High School, and another class for ATI, with a list of additional educators to contact. We definitely have lots of work to do, but everyone on the Education Committee is excited to contribute to pollinator education in our area, and ensure that every student here has the opportunity to learn about the wondrous native pollinator ecology in our bioregion! Interested in learning more about our Pollinator Pals program? Contact Ethan at 775-376-3461.

by Jen Radueg It's that time of year again, where nature turns inward and focuses on supporting its roots and its core to create the inner strength to return anew to the world a few months later. As humans, many of us naturally do the same thing. Although these days, it seems like getting a quiet moment to reflect and "just be" is much more challenging. As I look out my window, I still see some small bees and flies buzzing around, birds are out gathering seeds and insects but overall, things are much quieter than they were a few months ago! I'm trying to finish up a long list of things I wanted to accomplish in 2022. One is giving back more. I've chosen PPRV to spend my time and efforts volunteering, including working with our awesome Advisory Committee members, and to give back financially where I can. To me, the team at PPRV is much like some of the hearty plants that are native to this area. They have deep roots and deep hearts. They are extremely dedicated and continue to show up every day to get the word out about how critical native pollinators and their native plant habitats are. If you find yourself having some time this week to reflect and take a moment, it always helps me to start with gratitude. I am so grateful to be able to live in this amazing area. I am also grateful to organizations like PPRV who take action every day to make a difference. The support that PPRV receives from this community is so heartwarming to see. The volunteers that show up weekly to help are incredible! By choosing PPRV and thinking about giving back, I also decided to give a donation to PPRV this year. If you, like me, are planning on making year-end donations to one or various non-profits, I know that PPRV would be extremely grateful to "bee" included on your list for any donation amount! Next Tuesday is Giving Tuesday, as I'm sure you know, and that's always a great reminder to give, if possible. I even discovered that my company offers a matching donation to non-profits when I donate through their giving portal, so I took advantage of that this year. Even if you can't make a financial donation, stop by the office sometime to say Hi and check out the native pollinator garden and other resources, and consider volunteering! PPRV has shown me that a small, but mighty and determined group of individuals truly can make a BIG impact! The team has helped me to become aware of the diversity of native pollinators in the Rogue Valley and what small steps I can personally take to help make a difference. Sometimes this includes incorporating native plants into my garden, sometimes it's showing support for conservation efforts on a larger scale, and sometimes it's making yourself uncomfortable and writing a letter of support to encourage others to consider adding PPRV to your gratitude or donation list. :) Thank you for reading, and I wish you and yours a wonderful end of fall and beginning of winter season as we head into the beautiful month of December! With Gratitude and Goodwill, Jen Radueg Volunteer and PPRV Advisory Committee Member

Photo by Ethan Robison by Kristina Lefever Just think - if we hadn't have been growing Pearly Everlasting in our propagation nursery, it's possible that 50 American Lady butterflies might not have flown! Apparently a momma Lady checked out our nursery a few months ago, discovered about 75 4" pots of Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea) seedlings, and decided it was a perfect place for her little ones .... which of course she would never see. (Photo of eggs from 'Life History of Cascadia Butterflies' by David G. James and David Nunnallee.) We agree - our nursery was the perfect place! A perfect place for us Pollinteers to learn a lot about this butterfly, and share the experience with others! The first thing we learned was that it is hard to feed American Lady caterpillars, since their diet is limited to primarily 3 species of plants - Pearly Everlasting, Pussytoes (Antennaria plantaginifolia), and the non-native 'cudweed' (Gnaphalium spp.)- according to "Life History of Cascadia Butterflies." Since we had none of these growing in our gardens, once all of the seedlings had been consumed we had to ask for 'bouquets' from friends - thank you Linda Kappen, for your efforts, Suzie Savoie for yours, and also Karen Layfield for letting us 'graze' your patch! The cats definitely appreciated the groceries! It was exciting to watch the process: the caterpillars would grow, the colors would change, they would begin to wander, and eventually find their spot to 'J'.... .... where they transform: they 'unzip' their skin one last time to reveal their chrysalis! and then about a week and a half later, the chrysalis becomes transparent, and they eclose (emerge) into their final form - a beautiful butterfly. We also learned that people loved seeing the caterpillars and chrysalis .... ... and also pondering the very chewed upon plants.... we could just hear them thinking: 'hmmm, would I want that icky-looking plant in my garden?' Because even we admit - the Pearly's were looking pretty icky by the time they were through with them. But, since Pearlys are perennials that expect to be eaten, they are already growing back! So, those original seedlings in the 4" pots are still here to be sold or given away, and of course planted in our own gardens. Those plants, plus all the ones we hope will come up from the seeds we planted on Halloween weekend, will help ensure that we will be ready for the next batch of American Lady caterpillars who come along! And yes! We do have seeds for sale! Enjoy more photos and videos in our photo album here.

Ethan Robison when he thought it was a good idea to shave his head. By Ethan Robison Hello! My name is Ethan Robison and I am PPRV’s first AmeriCorps member. With the official title of “Pollinator Education and Outreach Specialist” comes a wide range of responsibilities and some exciting prospects for the future of PPRV. Before all that, I was born in Reno, Nevada. My Mom is an artist and illustrator, and my Dad is a structural/civil engineer. My twin inherited all the art talent, and my older sister inherited all the math skills. I was left with facial hair and chronic back pain! In addition to these, my parents encouraged me to remain curious and dedicated. These qualities have helped me follow the path I am currently on. In 2021 I began attending Southern Oregon University as an Environmental Science and Policy major, and in 2022 I decided to minor in Biology as well. After graduating, I plan on pursuing a masters degree in entomology with a specific focus on aquatic invertebrates. In addition to my family, I have my high school Biology and Environmental Science teachers to thank for inspiring me to pursue my passion for science and education. What is AmeriCorps, you might ask. AmeriCorps is a federal program tasked with bringing service members to communities and organizations in need, and works to further their efforts in education, environmental stewardship, healthy futures, and more. AmeriCorps has partnered with United Community Action Network (UCAN), an organization working in southwest Oregon to bring service members to organizations needing support to develop their scope and capabilities. As an AmeriCorps member, I am serving the community by helping to create, develop, and deliver education and volunteer programs at PPRV. You can learn more here. Ethan releasing our second monarch! I chose to pursue this opportunity because for the past few years, the work I was doing was just work and didn’t feel like it mattered or changed anything. I wanted to step away from that feeling, and try working on something that mattered to me. In pursuing that, I found AmeriCorps and their position with PPRV. I am looking forward to making lesson plans, working with the Education Committee, meeting with volunteers, and I am especially excited to get to know the community better. PPRV's table at the Monarch Release at Phoenix Industrial Studios this month and a few of the American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis) caterpillars we are raising! I am excited to use my passion for learning and teaching to spread the message of PPRV and advocate for native pollinators. In just my first two weeks at PPRV, I’ve gotten the chance to release monarch butterflies, track 30 American Lady caterpillars that hatched in the propagation nursery, meet and talk with local growers and conservationists, make educational posters, and help kids make seed bombs out of seeds collected from native plants in PPRV’s gardens! So far it’s been a blast, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to work with the community.

by Kristina Lefever Most people have never seen a monarch butterfly eclosing (emerging) from its chrysalis, in large part because the western monarch is teetering on the brink of extinction, and has been sorely missed in the Rogue Valley landscape for a number of years. This year, we are super thrilled with the amazing increase of people looking for, finding, and sharing their sightings of both monarch butterflies and caterpillars, especially compared to last year! Not only are these butterflies an icon to pollinator lovers everywhere, the beauty of the transformation from the caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly is magical. If you haven't seen it yet (or even if you have), ​enjoy this amazing and wondrous video shared by Vanessa Henson, a PPRV volunteer, who has supported almost 30 caterpillars in becoming butterflies this year! However, too many other species of butterflies are also disappearing, especially in urban areas, in large part because their native ​"​host plants​"​ are disappearing as people change the landscape ​with both development​ (more concrete, anyone?)​ and ​so many ​non-native plants​ in their landscapes​. ​The layperson's definition of a "​host plant" is a plant the caterpillar must eat to survive and grow to become a butterfly.) Many butterflies are specialists like the monarch, meaning the caterpillar can eat only one, or a ​perhaps a ​few, species of plants. ​The plants must be native, because caterpillars evolved over the eons to eat only the plants they evolved with. ​So when host plants are missing from the landscape, the caterpillars that depend upon them will be missing too - no caterpillars​ .... no butterflies. The American Lady butterfly, Vanessa virginiensis, has 3 primary host plants: Pearly Everlasting, Cudweed, and Pussytoes. These are the only plant species on which the American Lady female butterfly will lay her eggs, because these she knows these are the only plants her baby ladies will eat. And we know for a fact that our native Pearly Everlasting, Anaphalis margaritacea, is a favored host plant of the American Lady! Because, drum roll, please....we have lots of caterpillars in our Pearly Everlasting! We are so excited! Thanks to Dr. David James for confirming the butterfly species in my 9/1/22 post in the Butterflies and Months of the PNW Facebook group! This page from the excellent book Life History of Cascadia Butterflies (Dr. James is a co-editor, btw) shows the lifecycle and the beautiful adult. This all started about a week ago, when we were dismayed to see the 'pest' damage on our seedlings we've growing for our plant sales. (Thanks to Deb Vroman for her sharp eyes!) But on closer inspection, we discovered this caterpillar! Would you buy this plant?? Last year we were visited by the West Coast Lady, Vanessa annabella, a butterfly species that looks very similar to the American Lady. But we were (are) not (yet) growing the host plants for the West Coast Lady, mallows and nettles, so she nectared for a while and moved on. Not surprisingly, Pearly Everlasting, a lovely, very drought-tolerant perennial, has earned permanent planting status in our garden and nursery at The Pollination Place! We hope you will grow it, too - and we will all see American Lady butterflies! Learn more about the American and West Coast Ladys here. https://vanessa.ent.iastate.edu/some-basic-information-four-vanessa-butterfly-species-north-america

By Travis Owen www.amateuranthecologist.com Spring is here! And with it, a new season of bees. Honey bees, having spent the winter clustered for warmth and feeding on honey stored from the previous year, are well adapted to take advantage of the earliest of blooms on sunny days, especially with the disconcertingly dry winter we've had in the Rogue Valley. Bumble bee queens are also out and about looking for potential nest sites, and looking for nectar to replenish themselves after their long winter dormancy. Despite the widespread recognition by the lay observer of the honey bees and bumble bees, the most speciose group of early spring bees are the mining bees in the genus Andrena. There are roughly 550 species of Andrena in the United States and Canada, with at least 1500 species worldwide. At least 200 species are found in the Pacific Northwest. Andrena are found all around the world except Australia, South America, and Antarctica (there are no bees in the Antarctic circle). Most species are active in early spring, and there are a relatively small selection of species active in autumn. They are typically small, yet some species are roughly the size of a honey bee. The related species Perdita are the world’s smallest bees with the highest diversity in the Southwestern US and Northwestern Mexico. Some species of Perdita are smaller than mosquitos! The Andrenidae, the taxonomic family that contains Andrena, Perdita, and many other genera, is the largest taxonomic bee family with 45 genera worldwide. The majority of Andrena species are univoltine, where there is only one generation per year. Some species are bivoltine with two generations per year. Most species go through their dormant period (winter in North America, though there are winter-active species overseas) in diapause as adults, which likely gives them the advantage of being able to emerge quickly once conditions are favorable. If environmental conditions are not ideal for the flowering plants they depend upon, some species have been known to remain in diapause for at least two years before emerging. Most Andrena are solitary, meaning every female excavates and provisions her own nest. Some species are communal and dozens of females will share a single nest entrance, but they still lay eggs in their own cells inside the communal nest. It's comparable to a New York apartment building, where neighbors share a front entrance but still have to buy all their own groceries. Some Andrena nest in large congregations where nest entrances may be as close as an inch apart. Nest entrances may be hidden under leaves or fallen branches, and nests may be excavated in various soil types (i.e. sand or clay). Unlike honey bees, Andrena excavate tunnels straight down into soil. They are very common in lawns and sometimes nest in soil covered by vegetation, unlike most other ground dwelling bees. Cells branch off the main shaft on short lateral tunnels. Nests of Andrena are typically between 6-12" (15-30cm) deep, but desert dwelling species nests can be incredibly deep. Andrena, like many solitary ground nesting bees, line their cells with a wax like substance produced from the Dufour's gland on the underside of the abdomen, and spread it around the cell wall with the trowel-shaped pygidial plate located at the tip of the abdomen. The waxy substance protects the larvae from bacterial infections and retains the moisture in the cell, reducing the risk of desiccation. Andrena also use the Dufour's gland secretions to mark the entrance of the nest to help them find the nest via the odor, especially important in communal nests where keeping intruders out is of great concern. Additionally, female Andrena scent-mark flowers with Dufour's gland secretions where resources were good so they may return on the next foraging trip. Andrena are short tongued bees, and most forage for nectar on flowers with easily accessible nectar. Unlike honey bees and bumble bees, which use their proboscis more like a straw, short tongued bees lap up nectar not unlike a cat. This doesn't mean all Andrena can't access nectar in larger or deeper flowers, some species have longer mouth parts or special adaptations that enable them to reach hidden nectar. Many species are pollen specialists and only collect pollen from a narrow range of plant species. For example, some Andrena species only collect pollen from Asteraceae (sunflower family), Apiaceae (parsley family), or willows (Salix spp.). The specialists will still collect nectar from a wider range of plants, including many nonnative plants. Most species aren't terribly picky, and some are important pollinators of cultivated plants in gardens and agricultural settings, though mining bees aren't commercially managed like alfalfa leafcutter bees or orchard mason bees. Like many of the solitary bees, male Andrena emerge from diapause before the females. Males do not actively collect pollen, but they do feed on nectar. While male bees are not usually often valued for their pollination services, male Andrena do serve important roles in the pollination of some plants like bee-mimic orchids (Ophrys spp.) in Eurasia and Northern Africa where the orchids live. The bee orchids are only pollinated by male bees who are duped into thinking the orchid is a female ready to mate, and they receive nothing for their efforts. For most other plants, males may be superior pollinators on a per bee basis. Female Andrena collect much larger amounts of pollen than males, but most of that pollen goes to the nest instead of the next flower since females frequently and thoroughly groom the pollen into their scopae (specialized pollen carrying hairs). Males don't groom frequently, and on a per bee basis likely deposit more pollen than females. Males don't visit nearly as many flowers as females, and are generally smaller in size. The importance of any pollinator to a specific plant species depends on how effective each flower visit is in regards to collecting or depositing pollen, and the rate of visitation. On a net basis, females are more important pollinators for the majority of plants visited. Flower visits by Andrena aren't always mutually beneficial. Some Andrena are nectar thieves of certain flower types, accessing the nectar without contacting the anthers or stigma and thus being of no benefit to the plant. Nectar is a metabolically expensive incentive plants make that is meant to attract pollinators to facilitate plant reproduction. Some plants keep the nectar hidden within parts of the flower inaccessible to some pollinators. This excludes the least effective pollinators for a particular plant species and encourages the best pollinators for the particular flower type (or at least that's how it's supposed to work). Many bees cheat by making incisions in the sides of the flowers to bypass the reproductive organs altogether and access the nectar directly. Despite being occasional nectar thieves, Andrena are very important early pollinators for many plant species. In some areas, they are the most abundant bee when the weather is cool. Although they are active in early spring in low elevations, they are active in early summer in higher altitudes such as subalpine and alpine mountainous environments. In either high or low elevations, Andrena can't warm their bodies the way that bumble bees do by vibrating their flight muscles and burning calories for warmth. All bees are ectothermic (cold blooded), while some bees, like bumble bees, are facultatively endothermic (having the ability to warm themselves). To cope with cool environmental conditions, Andrena sunbathe on sunny vegetation until their body temperature is adequate for flight. Most Andrena feed on nectar and pollen from a very wide range of plant types. While there are many specialist species, most are highly adaptable generalists. Species whose ranges span multiple ecoregions (such as A. prunorum which is found throughout most of the west in the United States and Canada) are not picky eaters, and may feed on completely different plant species in different parts of their range. There are species that collect pollen from many wind pollinated plants, like grasses and oak catkins. Planting flowers for Andrena in the garden is not challenging, so long as you include many species with open or small flowers. Some of the plants in my garden that I have observed Andrena visiting include bulbs (i.e. Crocus; Scilla), strawberries, Apiaceae (Lomarium; others), California lilac (Ceanothus), Berberidaceae (Epimedium; Mahonia), and many others. It's worth experimenting and observing to see what they like, but if you include a large diversity of flower shapes and overlapping bloom periods, there are good odds you'll see some Andrena. Sources: Danforth, Bryan. The Solitary Bees: Biology, Evolution, Conservation. 1st ed., Princeton University Press, 2019. Fowler, J. (2020). Pollen Specialist Bees of the Western United States. Retrieved from https://jarrodfowler.com/pollen_specialist.html Michener, Charles. The Bees of the World. 2nd ed., Johns Hopkins University Press, 2007. Miliczky, Eugene. “Observations on the Nesting Biology of Andrena (Plastandrena) Prunorum Cockerell in Washington State (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae).” Journal of the Kansas Entomological Society, vol. 81, no. 2, 2008, pp. 110–21. O’Toole, Christopher. Bees: A Natural History. First Edition, Firefly Books, 2013. Stephen, William Procuronoff, et al. The Biology and External Morphology of Bees. Amsterdam University Press, 1969. Tang, Ju, et al. “Pollinator Effectiveness and Importance between Female and Male Mining Bee ( Andrena ).” Biology Letters, vol. 15, no. 10, 2019, p. 20190479. Wilson, Joseph, and Olivia Messinger Carril. The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America’s Bees. Princeton University Press, 2015.

By Cindy Harper, PPRV volunteer As a longtime volunteer and supporter of Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, I've had the pleasure of helping create the Pollinator Count Project. Native plants were first installed on this site in early 2020, and since then, with just a little watering to get established, and in spite of the fire and high summer heat, the plants have been thriving! These aren’t just any plants. By definition native plants are adapted to where they live. So they are adapted to our hot dry summers and mild winters. And, since our native pollinators evolved with them over millions of years, they often serve the native pollinators best, especially the caterpillars of butterflies and moths that are not able to eat non-native plants. As part of our pollinator counts, I had the opportunity to work with two other volunteers, Karin Wares and Eva Theimann. The three of us, with Kristina Lefever, all learned together. Although it doesn’t take much experience to understand this fairly simple process, I decided to ask Karin and Eva what they thought of our counts and what they learned. Karin, Cindy, and Eva, counting in 2021, photo by K. Lefever Here’s what Karin had to say: Cindy (CH): What made you decide to get involved in the pollinator counts at the Pollination Place? Karin (KW): I wanted to extend my energies a little beyond my own gardens. I started doing the counts at PPRV because I wanted to support the efforts being made locally to focus on and support pollinators. I’ve been aware of their plight and concerned about the threat to these amazing little creatures. CH: What involvement have you had with pollinators in the past? KW: Since painting our endemic Franklin's Bumblebee for Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s habitat conservation project I found myself having more exposure to what’s going on locally in this realm and began getting more acquainted with Pollinator Project Rogue Valley. CH: How difficult is it exactly to count pollinators? KW: We use a science based procedure to document their presence methodically, using the Pollinator Monitoring Data Sheet, which is adapted from a data collection document created by the Xerces Society. On this form, we record information about current conditions–temperature, percentage of cloud cover and wind speed. Ideal conditions for pollinators include clear to partly cloudy skies, temperature above 60 degrees but not too hot, and minimal winds. The garden in front of The Pollination Place is 100 feet by 6 feet. Generally 2 people will perform the observations, and another volunteer will record their findings on the data sheet. Someone also takes pictures of the pollinators and their plants. Two surveys lasting 7.5 minutes each are conducted moving from north to south, first on the upper part of the garden then the lower, so as not to cast a shadow, which can frighten the insects off the flowers, making them hard to follow. We try not to count the same insect twice, because we want to count the total number of insects. This is one reason to have more than one observer. The procedure is regimented because it is important to be able to repeat the exercise exactly the same way each time it is carried out. In doing so we are able to accurately compare the findings from month to month and year to year. Anytime there are plants in flower, a count can be carried out. In 2021, we have counted April through September. With the chart and a little familiarity with the plants and the insects, it’s something that can be done easily. Along with photo documentation, it’s a contribution to “citizen science” which has become such a boon in these times regarding the tracking and documentation of threatened species of many kinds. (Here is our Pollinator Count album of some of the photos we've collected.) Eva is ready to take a photo, 2021 CH: What do you enjoy about counting the pollinators? KW: I love the community engagement of sharing our nerdy excitement over spotting different species and identification. It’s a fun way to get out and connect with like minded people and learn more about the kinds of pollinators in our Valley. CH: Do you have a favorite insect pollinator? KW: I think my favorite insect pollinators are the native bees because of their astonishing diversity and varied specializations. For example, bumble bees have either short, medium or long tongues. It is the length of the tongue that determines which flowers they can pollinate. And as far as sheer personality and character go, bumblebees and hummingbirds are my delight. 🐝 Eva’s reason for counting pollinators at the Pollination Place was somewhat different. CH: What made you want to participate in pollination counts? (Eva) ET: I had learned about the importance of pollinators from the Xerces Society, but I didn’t realize that there could be native bees in the city! So I wanted to see for myself. And also learn something new from knowledgeable people. CH: What is the process for counting pollinators? ET: The actual surveying of the insects only lasts 15 minutes, but then you see things that you hadn’t noticed before, and everybody shares what they observed when the process is done. So all in all it takes about an hour. The results are tabulated and entered into a database. Since the plants are only a couple of years old, we hope as they grow there will be more flowers and shelter for the insects. More habitat, more flowers means more pollinators! CH: When you count the insects, what do you see? ET: There are many insects that are pollinators, including butterflies and many different types of bees, not just honeybees. There are so many kinds of native bees that we see: mason bees, metallic sweat bees, bumble bees. I learned about a bee I had never seen before, called a wool carder bee. There is a plant called Lamb’s Ears that has very soft fuzz on the surface of the leaves. This bee uses the fuzz for her nest! Two Wool Carder bees, mating! , photo by C. Harper CH: What seems to happen to the pollinators from month to month? ET: As different plants come into flower and other flowers die back, this impacts which pollinators we see. That way we can detect the fluctuations in insect numbers, especially year to year, and the variety of insects. CH: What did you notice when counting the insects? ET: I noticed that certain insects only pollinate certain plants, because they have a relationship to one another, that is they evolved together, like the monarch caterpillar and milkweed, and the wool carder bee and fuzzy leaved plants. Most people know that milkweed is the only plant monarch caterpillars can eat. So it is important that we provide plants that are native to our area, to support the insects that are also native. Did you know honey bees are not native, but rather are imported from Europe? CH: Do you have a favorite insect? ET: All insects are important, so I don’t have a favorite. I spent time in Alaska and I grew up in Latvia, where mosquitos abound. I learned to think of mosquitos as just part of the scenery! CH: There are many pollinator gardens in our area. Do you think gardeners and pollinator enthusiasts could count pollinators in their home gardens or at other community gardens? ET: I don’t see why it couldn’t be used anywhere. Pollinator Counts are an easy and fun project that anyone Grey Hairstreak, photo by E. Theimann could do in their own yard or anywhere at any time. Because pollinators are active from Spring until Fall, it’s important to have plants that flower throughout the growing season, and even into the winter. There are many great resources for purchasing native plants if you are looking to do some planting this year. Performing pollinator counts takes just a bit of training. What a great excuse to get together with friends and do some citizen science! 🐝 CH: We have enjoyed doing the counts, and talking about the insects and plants we see, and have learned a lot! Oftentimes, even though the count has concluded, our bug-eyes are still ‘on’, and so we often see other things happening in the garden. After one count had ended, I saw a drab bee cruising just above the decomposed granite. It appeared to be a ground nesting digger bee excavating the granite dust to dig a brood chamber to lay her eggs! That was quite exciting for all of us. Pollinator counts are easy and fun, and anyone can do them in their own yard at any time. If you are interested in learning more about pollinator counts, or helping us develop our Pollinator Count Program, send us an email here. Or stop in at The Pollination Place between noon and 3. We’ll see what we might see on the plants and flowers in our gardens! Digger or leaf cutter bee excavating a nest in sidewalk crack, photo by C. Harper

by Doranne Long, PT When spring is in the air, it is tempting to dive into yard work and gardening. Here are a few tips from a physical therapist. Start with 15-20 minutes of any activity; stop when fatigued and avoid pain. Continuing to work when fatigued may cause pain, strains, or tendonitis. Avoid repetitive motions e.g. pruning, weeding, raking, shoveling; take frequent breaks. It is easier to avoid painful conditions than to treat them. Bracing can be helpful; especially to prevent thumb pain, or use a forearm cuff to prevent elbow tendonitis. Use good body mechanics when raking, sweeping, digging; lift with the legs. Avoid prolonged bending. Try several back bends after being bent forward to decrease back pain and to stretch hip flexor muscles. Stretch before and after gardening; avoid stiffness by continuing with light activities, rather than with prolonged sitting. Remain well hydrated; drink plenty of water before, during, and after gardening. Be aware - weather changes, changes in the barometer with increased or decreased air pressure, affects the body and can cause aches and stiffness. Ice, heat, pillows, and positioning are all helpful to decrease pain and swelling. Ice is nice to decrease pain, swelling and bruising. Use ice 3-5x/day for up to 20 minutes. Heat is best used to decrease stiffness e.g. heated rice sock, heating pad, hot shower or soaking in a hot tub. Rice sock: Put 2 pounds of uncooked rice into a long sock; tie/sew closed. Heat in microwave about 2 minutes or until comfortably warm. Can be frozen and used as an ice pack. Body’s rules: If increased motion with decreased pain, can continue. If decreased motion with increased pain, stop! Gardening, in moderation, can be great fun, relaxing, and therapeutic. Enjoy!! Doranne Long is a member of the Oregon Native Plant Society, Siskiyou Chapter, and a physical therapist. Author of Your Body Book Guide to Better Body Motion with Less Pain, Doranne is passionate about helping others successfully manage their health.

by Kristina Lefever Last year ​we​ ​ask​ed​ ​our readers​ what ​they thought ​about ​T​he Pollinator ​T​imes. ​Here are some of the comments that stood out for us from the 34 respondents: ​ Length of time reading the e-newsletter​?​ 67%​: ​a year or longer Overall rating​?​ 76%​:​ excellent​ Like best? Information about native plants and pollinators and the fact that it is science-based but with a heart connection. Not just "oh aren't the butterflies pretty, plant more alien flowers they like". Not always the easiest or happiest information, but real information. It's easy to read and educational. I like to hear about events coming up and often register through the link provided in the newsletter. Variety & education regarding best pollinator plants. Local community resource that normalizes pollinator habitat. Everything... it's well put together providing lots of info on different subjects. I like the local focus on Rogue Valley. 4. Improvements / Suggestions? I’d like to have 1-2 line reminders for upcoming events a few days in advance Feature one pollinator matched with one pollinator native plant to learn about both with pictures Gardening tips for our clay/rock/forest habitat Simple tip of the month​ Life cycles of various natives; companion plants; info about fire-following plants; drought awareness & gardening tips Would you like to share your thoughts​, or volunteer to help us write the great articles that were suggested? Here's the link for the survey. Thank you everyone! We appreciate knowing ​The Pollinator Times is appreciated!

By Eddie Janisch This garden first started taking shape a lifetime ago when I watched my father planting what he called "Heather Hills", for my Scottish mother. My childish eyes saw her delight as well as the attention the bees, butterflies and hummingbirds paid to those blooms. I guess it was just a matter of time before I had to plant my own. A chance meeting of Kristina Lefever, fifty plus years later, led to a visit at The Pollinator Project Rogue Valley and her kind offer of a piece of real estate and her full support of any project I had in mind. An alleyway neighbor's donated rocks, a pick and a shovel, a day off work and dirt under my fingernails at day's end -- I was well on my way to Heaven and enjoying the journey. Then came the Almeda Drive Fire and all that changed in one destructive day. Burned out of house and home in a heartbeat, it would be nearly a year before I found my feet and returned to that garden and knew what I had to do. A pickup truck of soil, a few volunteer grasses, and of course a quiver full of blooming heather from our friends at Shooting Star Nursery. Kristina and friends at the Pollinator Project paved the road for the completion of this project and gave me the courage to see things through to the very end and finish what I started. This garden is humbly dedicated to the memory of my father and my mother, Phoenix Rising, Pollinator Project Rogue Valley, the family and friends I have found there ,and finally to everyone anywhere who believes that one garden at a time we will someday win the war. A little ripple in the pond can sometimes change the world. Eddie, thank you for being part of our journey, and for helping to make the ripples.