[NatureNS] Ironweed, knapweed and bumblebee ID -- was bumblebee identity etc

Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 16:48:28 -0300
From: "Stephen R. Shaw" <srshaw@dal.ca>
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Thanks Patricia and also Dave W. for correcting my 'ironweed'  
mis-identification.  From flowers figured on-line, the plant must  
indeed be common knapweed, Centaurea nigra, whether or not it is also  
called by some 'ironweed', which would be confusing because that is a  
name normally reserved for a different plant genus, some species of  
which superficially resemble common knapweed.  Apparently the latter  
is a copious nectar producer which is why so many insects are  
attracted to the flowers.

Regarding the ID of the numerous small bumblebees (thanks Angus, for  
suggestions), I should have known better than to come up with a  
half-cock description.  I had a camera with me and also could easily  
have netted a couple for closer examination.  I'll try to stop by  
again soon to clarify this, which sounds un-resolvable without better  
info.  Regarding the comment about availability of the insect's  
length, Angus, at least when you post an insect image to BugGuide you  
are asked to fill out a box estimating that, and this (usually?  
always?) is displayed just underneath the photo there.

Steve (Hfx)
  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Quoting "P.L. Chalmers" <plchalmers@ns.sympatico.ca>:

> Steve,
>
>         I don't know Vernonia here.  Your description of "small  
> purple thistle-like heads" sounds to me like Centaurea nigra, aka  
> Common Knapweed. ( It looks as though it should be prickly, but  
> isn't.)   It's also apparently known as Ironweed  
> (http://www.flickr.com/photos/thedouglascampbellshow/4291536452/)  
> though I've never heard it called that here.  It is in the same  
> genus as the garden flower known as Batchelor Buttons.  I've always  
> known that knapweed was attractive to insects, especially  
> butterflies.  I think on the Payzants' field trips we always  
> expected to find fritillaries on the knapweed.
>
>         Cheers,
>
>         Patricia L. Chalmers
>         Halifax
>
>
> At 06:10 PM 18/08/2013, you wrote:
>> Yesterday we visited Mt Uniacke House grounds again ...
>
>> This species was less interested in goldenrod (everywhere, but some
>> flowers now are fading) than in what my daughter says is 'ironweed',
>> which I initially assumed would be an alternative name for Angus's
>> 'jewelweed', but not so.  Jewelweed is apparently Impatiens spp, with
>> pretty pink flowers, while the very abundant stuff that these bees
>> were visiting does look like the ironweed found on-line, with small
>> purple thistle-like heads, Vernonia spp., of a different family.
>>
>> ...
>>
>> Steve (Halifax)

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