I recently learned that Red-necked False Blister Beetle (Ischnomera ruficollis) is a well-known pollinator of Yellow Trout Lily (Erythronium americanum):

• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/143180117

Both of my earlier observations of this insect were made in the presence of trout lily, and since that's probably not a coincidence, I reviewed all of my earlier observations of flowering trout lily and found six more false blister beetles:

• https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=any&taxon_id=831188&user_id=trscavo&verifiable=any

Of 80 total observations in Vermont, 53 observations of false blister beetle were in the process of visiting yellow trout lily.

Thanks to Tom Norton (@tsn) for providing info re this cool plant-insect interaction.

Posted on November 29, 2022 11:31 AM by trscavo