In areas of intensive agriculture, back roads and lanes are often the only places where remnants of the original native vegetation survive. Even then the smaller shrubs and plants may be gone leaving only the trees, valuable old hollow bearing examples, as well as younger regrowth. That is certainly the case in this locality where the flood plain and higher ground has been farmed for over one hundred and fifty years, but a drive along a little used lane above the plain provided a welcome surprise. On a high point among the Red Gums, E. tereticornis, a number of species were persisting among the introduced grasses and weeds, a number of Diuris sulphurea, Hibbertia obtusifolia, Hardenbergia violacea, Wahlenbergia quadrifida, and Xerochrysum viscosum to name the most obvious ones. The adjoining paddock used for grazing beef cattle also had some notable red gums, including one majestic example close to the lane.

These old trees are vital nesting sites for birds like  Eastern Rosellas, and Kookaburras.

The Xerochrysum was in full flower and attended by native bees, Lasioglossum sp.

It was especially pleasing to find the diuris.

Further along the lane some Exocarpos cupressiformis and Allocasuarina stricta appear, there is the Red Gum companion Acacia implexa, an occasional Cassinia aculeata, and further still where the main tree cover changes to Red Box, E. polyanthemos, patches of Pimelea humilis and plentiful Chrysocephalum apiculatum, with Chocolate Lilies, Arthropodium strictum syn. Dichopogon strictus. The Spur Velleia, Velleia paradoxa used to be found there but was not sighted on this occasion, hopefully it too survives to be found on another day.

Pimelia humilis.

Chrysocephalum apiculatum.

Arthropodium strictum.

Click images to enlarge.

 

 

 

A recent tweet by @conversationEDU noted that a garden is a thriving ecosystem, and taking that concept further, the type of garden dictates to a large extent the type of ecosystem. This garden comprises native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants, and the fauna reflects that vegetation mix, from the smallest invertebrate to the top of the food chain, the birds and microbats. It must be noted too that specific families/genera/species of fauna can be encouraged to take their place in the ecosystem by suitable planting. This will be the first garden based post with more to come as the seasons wax and wane. The subject is native bees that are increasing in abundance with the establishment of  their food plants, and the provision of suitable breeding habitat for some species. Bulbine Lilies  are popular, Paper Daisies less so but attractive to hover flies and pollen beetles, and featured in this post, Tetratheca thymifolia, where on a sunny day there was a whirling of female bees gathering pollen and nectar for larval food. First though, the Paper Daisies, where occasionally male bees can be found apparently just resting, often in the company of tiny pollen beetles.

Male bee.

Pollen beetle, possibly Trogoderma species, 2.5 mm long.

Tetratheca thymifolia, an excellent garden plant.

Female bees showing harvested pollen.

Sequence of female bee entering and leaving flower.

The bees shown are Lasioglossum species. either lanarium or brunessetum, it is difficult to be more precise from the photos. Thanks to Mitch for id help. Click images to enlarge.

References.
Mitch Smith.
Insects of South-Eastern  Australia by Roger Farrow.