Content by Amanda Bachmann

Three bees on a wooden box.

Backyard Biodiversity: Nest boxes for native bees

Many of our native bee species are solitary. In order to ensure that these kinds of bees spend more time in our yards and gardens, it is important to make sure we include places for them to nest.

A Red Colummbine branch with several, bell-shaped pink flowers hanging from the end.

Wild Columbine

Red columbine, Aquilegia canadensis, is this week’s native perennial to know. Also known as wild columbine, this plant has striking red flowers that droop from the ends of tall stalks.

A bushy green plant with pink flowers throughout.

Phlox

This week’s native perennials are both phloxes: Phlox divaricata (Wild Blue Phlox, or Sweet William) and Phlox pilosa (Downy or Prairie Phlox)

Penstemon digitalis plant.

Penstemon

Penstemon grandiflorus and Penstemon augustfolius are both native to South Dakota.

Chinese mantis adult

I Found a Praying Mantis, Now What?

Praying mantises are one of the most distinctive large insects that can be found in South Dakota. Their striking appearance, size and perceived rarity contributes to the frequent calls and emails that we receive regarding sightings and captures of these insects.