Decoration, pollination in the fynbos

Decoration, pollination in the fynbos - Walk in Africa

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Walk in Africa / Flowers / Decoration, pollination in the fynbos

2 Feb

Decoration, pollination in the fynbos

On a spectacular clear summer day I was walking close to the top of Table Mountain when I noticed these beautiful metallic groove-winged flower beetles (Family Melyridae) on the flower of a Tinder Bush (Hermas villosa).

While the plant has been used medicinally and practically for thousands of years very little is known about these beautiful jewel-like beetles. In addition to decorating the fynbos and brightening my day, they certainly seem to be likely candidates for pollinating these flowers.