Valentine Ant (Crematogaster laeviuscula)
17 March 2017
Unicorn Lake
Denton, Texas
Near the shores of Unicorn Lake these Valentine Ants were foraging on both the nectar of the blossoming Southern Dewberry (accompanying a busy Honey Bee who was doing the same) and on the tiny green aphids that were found on the flower's stem. Crematogaster laeviuscula (identified as part of the genus belonging to Valentine Ants on iNat) are native to Texas.
Sources: "Species Crematogaster laeviuscula," includes distribution map, BugGuide: http://bugguide.net/node/view/394564
"Species: Crematogaster laeviuscula Mayr, 1870," AntWeb: https://www.antweb.org/description.do?rank=species&genus=crematogaster&name=laeviuscula
"Crematogaster laeviuscula," includes distribution map, AntWiki: http://www.antwiki.org/wiki/Crematogaster_laeviuscula
Parr Park in Grapevine
while we have some concern about the spreading of the Sweet Scabius, the pollinators sure like it
Has leaves close to the ground and many long stems with flowers on the end
The flowers are yellow with 5 petals
Leaves are scratchy and furry
The flowers grow in bunches
There are orange flowers on the bottom of the bunches and yellow on top.
The stems are thick and look purple at some parts .
The flower is very pretty.
I couldn't tell if this was cultivated it was just sort of growing next to a walkway by itself might have come from another plant that was cultivated on campus somewhere.
So far I have not seen any cultivated in the area that look like this plant or any other Texas Lantana in the area.
Very cute small Orange flowers.
Bees and butterflies seem to love these little guys.
Short to the ground.
Scratchy leaves
Leaves grow out from the center of the plant.
No flowers where present on any of the plants like this one around.
Long single leaves.
No branches or stems.
This was the largest one around about 5 inches across.