A Green Metallic Bee (Augochlora spp.) collecting pollen from a Elecampane (Inula helenium).
Elecampane is a sunflower introduced from Asia or Europe that has now naturalized through much of North America. It is a very tall plant found on roadsides and field / forest margins. Its bright yellow flowers have been described as disheveled or straggly.
It is an important pollen source for native bee species such as the Green Metallic Bee family (Magnified image below).
