Blue Lettuce: Insect feeding station

I wonder what it is about Blue Lettuce that makes it so attractive to ants, flies and other little bugs?

A native plant of central and western North America, Blue Lettuce can grow up to 60 cm tall (Royer/Dickinson - Weeds). It's from the genus Lactuca; lac, meaning milk, refers to its white sap (Jennings).

And whether it's the sap or some other attractant, the bugs love it!

Blue lettuce, a feast for bugs.   © SB 

Prairie Wildflower: Blue Lettuce (Lactuca pulchella)

Location: Condie Nature Refuge, near Regina,  Canada.  

Photo Date: July 7, 2012.  

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