05-AUG-2015
European paper wasp nest (Polistes dominula)
Typical paper wasp nest, usually affixed somewhere such as under an eaves, the roof of a shed, under a bridge, even inside birdhouses. About a decade ago, I found this species using the holes in a metal post and building their nests inside the hollow post.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis)
These two are on the seeds of wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). The few plants at FWG are full of aphids and this has attracted numerous lady beetles. Many mating pairs, some eggs, some larvae, the adults and larvae feeding on the aphids.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetle larva (Harmonia axyridis)
On wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa). Asian lady beetles were numerous on the few wild parsnip plants, mating, eating the abundant aphids, laying eggs, and clearly there were larvae around as well, as shown here.
05-AUG-2015
Asian lady beetle eggs (Harmonia axyridis) and aphids
Nothing attracts lady beetles more than aphids, and some wild parsnip plants were full of aphids and consequently full of Asian lady beetles, mating, egg-laying, feeding. Here, a lady beetle has just laid a clutch of bright yellow eggs on the seed of a wild parsnip plant.
05-AUG-2015
Treehopper (Acutalis tartarea)
A tiny green treehopper of mid-summer. I always find these first in the Butterfly Meadow, and later almost any sunny spot in the garden.
05-AUG-2015
Red squirrel
Endlessly engaging and cute, this little guy was foraging in the Butterfly Meadow. Many squirrels are showing increased vigour as summer approaches its end. In another month or two they will be seriously 'squirreling' away food for the winter.
05-AUG-2015
Amphibian pond
Yes, there is a pond beneath all that vegetation. The invasive aquatic flowering rush, Butomus umbellatus, has grown prolifically this year and, it seems, almost overnight, and covered much of the open water.
05-AUG-2015
Virginia ctenucha moth cocoon (Ctenucha virginica)
Densely hairy and pale yellow, this is the cocoon made by the caterpillar of the day-flying virginia ctenucha moth.
05-AUG-2015
Butterfly Meadow
Looking very lush and full of flowers and grasses for butterflies and other insects, you can just see the information kiosk on the left side. If you are at the garden, stop by and visit the Butterfly meadow and find out more about monarch butterflies at the kiosk.
05-AUG-2015
White admiral (Limenitis arthemis) on tansy
It seems to have been a good year for this species, lots of them around the region.
05-AUG-2015
Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)
In the same genus as the more common Common Milkweed (A. syriaca), this plant also attracts monarch butterflies to lay eggs on it. At the same time, it provides much nectar for many other insects.
05-AUG-2015
Ambush bug (Phymata) on Rudbeckia
Well-camouflaged as they usually are, this ambush bug is patiently waiting for an unsuspecting insect to land on the flower. At that point it will pounce and paralyze the prey with an enzyme that also "liquefies" the just caught insect allowing the ambush bug to slurp up the contents.