Gaillardia World: A Promising Love Affair

  Gaillardia pulchella, Barn Patch, McDowell Creek, Geary Co.,  KS., 7-23-22:

Sachems (Atalopedes campestris) were increasingly common in the Gaillardia as the summer wore on.    These clips catch a female Sachem feeding on the nectar-rich Gaillardia, while a male comes to court her.   In case sidling up to her and performing aerial acrobatics doesn't convince her he's The One, he also dazzles--or drizzles--her with pheromones, which he spreads as he flies.