Our group studied the question “What flowers do bees and butterflies prefer”? With this question in mind, we studied the prairie along with the insects and flowers in it to find our answer. Prairies typed range depending mostly on location. However we do know that "prairies are especially found in central North America" (Editors of Encyclopedia, 2019). We also know that prairies are an environment that do not receive much rainfall. The vegetation is also, "composed primarily of perennial grasses, with many species of flowering plants of the pea and composite families" (Editors of Encyclopedia, 2019). Before starting our experiment we made sure to understand the layout of the prairie. The prairie is 18 plots of land each cared for with 1 of 3 treatments. The plots either had 1, 2, or no Forbes planted in them. Since we were studying flowers and we knew that butterflies were just as important when it came to pollination as bees were, we chose two plots that were both planted with 2 Forbes for our experiment.

After conducting our experiment there was one clear winner; the Hairy White Oldfield Aster. In both plots, the Aster attracted the most of the two pollinators. Though the data shows a clear winner, our group still had to figure out why this was. Using the Piedmont Master Gardeners website we learned that this flower was most likely the most popular because they “are important late-season nectar sources for monarch butterflies migrating from the north”. While other flowers in the plots also attract the same pollinators, they are less vibrant and attractive later in the year than the Asters are. As a result, the butterflies and bees pollinate mostly from the Asters.

We think overall we were able to answer our question well, but there are always ways to improve. In further experiments we could include all pollinators we see (not just bees and butterflies). We could also create a deeper question and ask whether or not the results are any different in the spring or summer times.