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Insects readily feast on quick, high-calorie food. A convenient source is a
flower head. Like fast-food chains, flowers advertise their presence with
bright colors. Finding the flowers attractive, insects alight on the flowers,
where they can munch on pollen or sip nectar.
Being particularly sluggish after a cool
night, these cold-blooded creatures need the sun’s energy to get going. Many
flowers offer the insects a complete package—nutritious food and a place to
bask in the sun. Let’s take a look at a familiar example.
The oxeye daisy is a common flower that grows
throughout much of Europe and North America. It may not seem special, but if
you take the time to inspect it, you will see a lot of activity. This daisy
offers an ideal place for insects to start the day. The white petals reflect
the sun’s warmth, and the yellow center offers a good resting place where
insects can soak up solar energy.
To make the visit even more appetizing, the
center of the daisy is replete with pollen and nectar, nutritious foods that
many insects thrive on. What better place could an insect find for having a
good breakfast and enjoying the sun?
Thus, a whole parade of insects alight on
oxeye daisies during the course of the day. You may spot beetles, colorful
butterflies, shield bugs, crickets, and flies of every sort. Of course, if you
are not observant, you may never notice these fascinating insect “fast-food
chains.”
Therefore, the next time you are in the
countryside, why not make an effort to examine some of these inconspicuous
daisy ecosystems? If you do, the experience is likely to enhance your
appreciation for the Creator who designed them all.
[Footnote]
Scientists have discovered that the
temperature on the surface of some flowers is several degrees warmer than the
surroundings.
For more informative articles please go to www.jw.org
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