20-AUG-2018
Large green stinkbug (Chinavia hilaris)
As the name suggests, this is a large stinkbug, but it blends so well with the vegetation that it is not often noticed. The nymphs of this species vary widely from instar to instar.
20-AUG-2018
Spittlebug (Cercopidae)
Many small spittlebugs tucked away inside the goldenrods. This one could be meadow spittlebug, but given that they have a surprisingly wide diversity of colours and patterns, it is difficult to say.
20-AUG-2018
Bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)
Growing near the pond in the Backyard Garden, these pretty gentians (also called closed gentian)are well used by bees who push their way through the closed tip into the flower.
20-AUG-2018
Carrot seed moth caterpillar (Sitochroa palealis), #4986.1
Both the plant and the moth are introduced from Europe, the plant long ago, the moth more recently, and probably an accidental introduction, as so many non-native species are. The moth itself is an attractive insect:
http://www.pbase.com/fwg/image/151528384
20-AUG-2018
Garden orbweaver (Argiope aurantia), female
A beautiful big orbweaver in her web. There are two common species of Argiope spiders, this one and the banded argiope (
http://www.pbase.com/fwg/image/105780977), both of which I have seen very few of in recent years.
04-AUG-2018
American goldfinch
It was such a hot day that many creatures were sensibly staying put, although this goldfinch was taking a drink in the bird bath.
04-AUG-2018
Pennsylvania leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
These beetles are often called goldenrod beetles because it is on goldenrods they are most often found, as here. A sure sign it is mid-summer when these ones appear.
04-AUG-2018
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
A native paper wasp and much larger than the Polistes dominula, a European species now well established here. This one is nectaring on white sweet clover.
04-AUG-2018
Honey bee (Apis mellifera)
Nectaring on the flowers of the common burdock, a non-native species which can spread quite aggressively. Insects and sometimes birds can become stuck on the prickly seedheads which are nearly impossible to break free from.
04-AUG-2018
Yellowjacket (Vespinae)
Nectaring on the flowers of the native wild clematis.
04-AUG-2018
Rose-breasted grosbeak
A young grosbeak still showing some of the downy feathering.
04-AUG-2018
The old woods
Looking north into the old woods which provide some relief on a very hot, steamy day.
