The Keng Hwa chronicles: Critter visitors

We’ve noticed that in the day or two prior to blooming, the burgeoning Keng Hwa flower buds tend to exude something that attracts ants to them. The ants, in turn, attract something else…

This gecko was disturbed from whatever it was doing by the camera flash.

This gecko was disturbed from whatever it was doing by the camera flash. Photo credit to Curious Mama – she watches almost every flower open.

I’m not sure which gecko family this fellow hails from, but we’ve noticed that those with the stronger patterns tend to be garden/outdoors geckos. They only appear at night, and run from light, so catching them with the camera is a tricky thing…

Just look, the gecko was already lying in wait even before the flower bud opened!

Just look, the gecko was already lying in wait even before the flower bud opened!

These geckos are wily and lay in wait along the Keng Hwa plant, awaiting the ants that are attracted to the fragrant flowers. I did read somewhere that some geckos also feed on flower nectar, but since I’ve not seen this happen here, I can only add this as a possibility.

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