In this episode we meet Dr. Mary Jane Epps, a scientist at the Center for Urban Habitats in Charlottesville, Virginia. Dr. Epps tells us how a moment of distraction while researching beetles led her to discover that flame azalea, a.k.a. Rhododendron calendulaceum, is pollinated by the wings of Tiger Swallowtail butterflies. We learn that this extremely rare type of pollination works because the flower shape offers the butterflies a clear landing platform, but that high diversity in Rhododendron flower shapes results in diverse rhododendron pollinator communities, and that there is an urgent need for us humans to support these pollinator communities: by making small changes in how we manage our home gardens, and by taking the time to get distracted, even by places as plain and humble as powerline cuts, we too can contribute to the conservation of pollinator biodiversity.

As observed by polymath and philosopher Rabindranath Tagore, “The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.”

Read the original publication showing butterfly wing pollination of flame azalea:

Epps MJ, SE Allison and LM Wolfe (2015) Reproduction in Flame Azalea (Rhododendron calendulaceum, Ericaceae): A Rare Case of Insect Wing Pollination. American Naturalist 186: 294-301. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26655157/