After posting the picture of my magnolia, I stumbled upon an interesting article in my newspaper.  A reader was asking about the beetles in her magnolia blossoms and wondered why they were there and if they were harmful. The gardening guru answered by saying that magnolias are among the most primitive plants found in today’s landscapes.  He said dinosaurs probably enjoyed their shade!  They developed their flowers long before bees and butterflies evolved, and so grew to attract a different kind of pollinator….the beetle!  Beetles love to eat the magnolia pollen.  Then they visit neighboring magnolia trees, accomplishing the pollination vital for making seeds.  Who knew?  From now on I’ll have a higher esteem for the lowly beetle.