u/In_vino_veritas__

After planting some native plants (wingstem, cone flower, milkweed, and aster) I’ve started noticing bees. I’ve got a lot of questions. I’m finding answers myself to some of them, but maybe yall can help me out with a few.

1. I’m located in the southeast USA. The bee I’ve attached a picture of, is it just a regular bumble bee? Is that the actual name? How many different kinds are there?

2. If they keep showing up at my house, will they build a hive nearby? How far could they be traveling from their current home to my plants? I haven’t seen any bees around before planting these natives.

3. How cold is too cold for them? Will I be seeing them until temps get into the 40s or 50s?

4. When they are on the flowers, are they just drinking nectar are collecting pollen? They spend a bunch of time hanging around, surely they’re not just “eating” the whole time, right?

Some of the questions might seem dumb, I apologize in advance. I’m pretty ignorant on the subject. Just trying to learn.

Any idea what butterfly these are going to turn into?

Located in Alabama. Is this a paper wasp? Also, he appeared to be chewing on the wood post… is that something they normally do?

My phlox is turning brown and looks to be dying. I did some investigating and found white stuff (mold?) on the underside. Anything I can do to save it? Should I prune it all the way down to its base? Located in 8a, Alabama.

Any idea what either of these plants are? They are growing in my flower bed in north Alabama.