Bug Squad
Article

Like a Rock

The rock purslane (Calandrinia grandiflora) attracts its share of insects.

This morning the brilliant magenta blossoms drew honey bees, carpenter bees and hover flies. 

As a hover fly (aka syrphid fly or flower fly) gathered nectar, a spider crawled up a leaf of the succulent, presumably to check out the best place to weave a web.

The rock purslane is drought-tolerant and a good plant for xeroscaping.

And perfect for attracting pollinators--and an occasional spider.

ROCK PURSLANE (Calandrinia grandiflora) opens in the morning sun. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Rock purslane
HOVER FLY is drawn to the nectar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Hover fly
SPIDER crawls up the leaf of the rock purslane, probably scouting for the best place to build a web. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Spider