In my most recent series, Blossoms as seen by a Beetle, I speculate on how beetles experience the world, showing a blooming tree as seen through their eyes. Magnolia trees are pollinated by beetles, and they have adapted thick sturdy petals that are resilient against the clumsy little critters, opening in the morning, and closing at night, trapping the beetles inside where they collect pollen on their bodies.
Beetles see through a blur of vision and scent. The blossoms they pollinate appear bright, with a delicious smell emanating out from these highly contrasted blobs (flowers). This combination of bright and smell leads the beetles inside, into the folds of the petals. While they do see in color, it is more through these auras and the contrast of the bright blooms against the surrounding sky and foliage that influences their behavior.
See the series: Magnolia Blossoms as seen by a Beetle Ultraviolet | Magnolia Blossoms as seen by a Beetle Indigo | Magnolia Blossoms as seen by a Beetle Turquoise
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