10-AUG-2013
Crab spider (Mecaphesa sp.)
A vivid shot by Diane of a tiny crab spider, a species that varies a lot in colour and pattern.
10-AUG-2013
Joe-pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)
A lovely shot of a common native species. The Genus name has change from the familiar Eupatorium to Eutrochium, and you will find this species listed under both. It is a tall, showy plant of wetland sites, but does well in gardens too, and is very attractive to butterflies, bees and other insects. Diane photographed this in the Butterfly Meadow at FWG.
10-AUG-2013
Lobelia and Black-eyed Susan
A pretty scene from the Butterfly Meadow planted by Diane and her volunteers over the years, and photogaphed by Diane.
10-AUG-2013
Dense blazing star (Liatris spicata)
A great array of this very attractive plant, which is also very attractive to many insects, the reason Diane planted it in the Butterfly Meadow, where she photographed this.
10-AUG-2013
Swamp milkweed and Bee-balm
A beautiful view across a very showy section of the Butterfly Meadow, photographed by Diane. As you can imagine, these plants attract many bees and butterflies.
10-AUG-2013
Highbush cranberry (Viburnum trilobusm)
The viburnum at the Butterfly Meadow is in fruit now. We are not sure if this is the native species or a cultivar, but likely the latter, as the fruit usually remains on the shrub all winter, so it is not attractive to birds.
10-AUG-2013
Silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus
Diane said that she was very happy to see this large skipper in the Model Monarch Waystation section of the Butterfly Meadow. Apart from this species, she reports also seeing a few cabbage whites and a damaged dun skipper.
10-JUL-2013
The Asteroid caterpillar (Cucullia asteroides ), #10200
As you can see, this caterpillar would be easily overlooked, but Diane found this one and took an excellent shot of it. It is probably much more common at FWG than we know, but because of its ability to blend in so well, it is overlooked. We have had them occasionally at the garden in the past.
10-AUG-2013
Meadow spittlebug (Philaneus spumarius)
Diane photographed this spittlebug on a black-eyed susan. The meadow spittlebug has at least 30 different forms, many of them hard to distinguish from other similar species, but this one is distinctive.
10-AUG-2013
Cup plant (Silphium perfoliatum)
A tall and striking plant native to the eastern part of North America. It doesn't grow naturally around here, however, but does very well in gardens and can spread in time. Chipmunks and squirrels love the seeds.
10-AUG-2013
Sand wasp (Bicyrtes) sp.)
Terrific photo by Diane of the large and handsome sand wasp on boneset. These big wasps are common in mid to late summer and we see them regularly at the FWG. They make their burrows in sandy soils, so they must be nesting somewhere in or near to the garden, but we haven't found evidence of nesting yet.
10-AUG-2013
Emerald Spreadwing (Lestes dryas)
A pretty shot by Diane, of this common, thick-bodied spreadwing.