14-AUG-2012
Fruit fly (Euaresta bella) on ragweed
These tiny (about 5mm) flies with the bright green eyes are found commonly on ragweeds, which is their only known larval plant (the larvae feed on the ragweed seeds). But you have to really look to see them as they are so small. But worth the effort because so pretty!
14-AUG-2012
Buffalo treehopper (Ceresa)
Another green insect (there are many!). This one is a pretty treehopper that is quite common in summer.
14-AUG-2012
Planthopper (Acanalonia bivittata)
Found on a goldenrod plant, sitting right underneath a green lacewing egg (just barely visible at the top of the photo). The planthoppers are sap sucking insects, not predatory.
14-AUG-2012
Clavate tortoise beetle (Plagiometriona clavata)
It is always a treat to see one of these very cute little beetles (about 5-7 mm in size). They are sometimes given the name teddy bear beetle, as they look a bit like a teddy bear when viewed from above. I always check any Solanaceae plants for this species, as well as Physalis (which is where this one was). Earlier in the summer, I found a larva of this species, with its fecal shield in place.
14-AUG-2012
Clavate tortoise beetle (Plagiometriona clavata)
A side view of this little tortoise beetle, showing the knobby projections from which some believe it gets its species name (clavata).
14-AUG-2012
Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
Mid-summer is when these soldier beetles first begin to appear, and by this time of year, they can become abundant. They are frequently found on goldenrod (another common name is goldenrod leatherwing), although this one is on boneset in the BYG. These are also very beneficial insects as their larvae eat aphids amongst several other insect species.
09-AUG-2012
Painted lady (Vanessa cardui)
One of half a dozen painted ladies around the garden today. I am sure that if the sun had been out, many more would have been seen.
09-AUG-2012
Typhiid wasp (Myzinum quinquecinctum), male
I saw one of these large wasps in the garden last week, and again today. They are very attractive with big green eyes. The male has what is called a 'pseudo-stinger', that little curved thing at the end of the abdomen. According to Bug Guide, females lay their eggs in the white grubs of the June beetles (or june bugs as they are sometimes called), the grubs (larvae) that chew away on the roots of lawn grass.
09-AUG-2012
Jumping spider (Eris)
Jumping spiders are my all-time favourites amongst the arachnids. Maybe it is those two huge eyes in the center of their face, so big you almost forget that they have a bunch of other tiny eyes! Or maybe it is their feisty personality. Whatever, it is, they are always special to see. This one is very tiny, about 4 mm, but some, like the black and rusty-red phidippus clarus, are very large.
09-AUG-2012
Lady's thumb (Polygonum persicaria)
A common non-native species that has grown up in the rototilled area of the old field site in the next image.
09-AUG-2012
Old field area
While this is not an exciting photo, I have added it because it shows the section of the old field that was mowed, then rototilled about 6 weeks ago. We planted some yarrow, joe-pye weed and pearly-everlasting there behind this big growth of 'weeds'. However, what is really interesting, to me, is what has grown up after the rototilling. There is a wealth of vegetation here, both native and non-native. Evening primrose (native) is very common, as is amaranthus, lamb's quarters, and several types of mustards (all non-native). But there are many other species in here as well, What is most interesting is that the invasive dog-strangling vine (cynanchum rossicum) is almost absent in this section, apart from the odd seedling here and there, which I remove. I am leaving the rest because it is better to have this mix than to have the dog-strangling vine grow back. Many of these are annuals, some are biennials, others are perennial plants. It will be fascinating to see what grows back next year. One interesting observation: this area was attracting a lot of bees and other nectar seeking insects.
09-AUG-2012
Treehopper nymphs (Publilia concava)
I noticed a great flurry of activity on one goldenrod stalk and soon found the reason. These spiky little critters are Publilia treehopper nymphs, the adults of which appear in late spring to early summer. The ants tend their "herd" for the sweet honeydew the treehoppers exude, and in return they protect them from harm. When I stuck my camera too close, the ants jumped on my lens and began running all over the camera, quite prepared to do battle :-)