25-JULY-2012
Ambush bugs (Phymata sp.)
A fabulous shot of these little ambush bugs, taken by Barry.
Ambush bug (Phymata sp.)
Plentiful at this time of year, these peculiar looking little bugs, look like something from prehistoric times. Imagine if they were as big as dinosaurs!
11-JUL-2012
Sweat bee?
This gorgeous little bee photographed by Barry, may be one of the many sweat bees that occur in the region. Difficult to ID it properly, but it is nonetheless, a terrific photo.
11-JUL-2012
Paper wasp (Polistes fuscatus)
Paper wasps such as this, build "paper" nests. They are unlike the enormous paper nests of the bald-faced hornet (which is technically, not a hornet at all, but related to this species), being small and hung from trees,nest boxes, under eaves, under decks, etc.
19-JUL-2012
Katydid
This bright green katydid (possibly a Scudderia sp), was photographed under the security light on the side of the interpretive centre. These insects are one of the preferred prey species of the large sphecid wasps seen elsewhere in the July blog.
19-JUL-2012
Ambush bugs (Phymata)
These ambush bugs were on a goldenrod. This species is abundant around here at present. I find that once queen anne's lace blooms these bugs become very noticeable. The flowerhead provides them a good place to hide as they can sit below the flower head waiting for insects to land. But they are also common on goldenrod where their yellowish colouration blends in well with the yellow flowers. These bugs are not mating, because when an ambush bug pair mate, the male sits sideways to the female. This pose is sometimes called coupling, and you might see several males riding on the back of the much larger female. Why? Speculation is that it may help them catch bigger prey items.
19-JUL-2012
Ambush bugs (Phymata) with fly
The queen anne's lace is abundant at the garden this year, and is beginning to be well used by insects, especially ambush bugs and goldenrod crab spiders. Here, this poor fly, possibly a Scathophagid fly, is being preyed upon by two ambush bugs.
19-JUL-2012
Treehopper (Acutalis tartarea)
A very small treehopper, about a quarter inch in size, begins making its appearance in mid-summer. I must have found at least 6 without much trouble, mostly on goldenrod stems. Previously called A. brunnea.
18-JULY-2012
Leafhopper (Coelidia olitoria), adult (L) and nymph (R)
Diane photographed both the adult and the nymph of this small leafhopper (approx 7 mm long). This species is particularly variable in colour and pattern, just to confuse things!
18-JUL-2012
Carolina Grasshopper (Dissosteira carolina)
It is certainly the season for grasshoppers which are everywhere, flying up underfoot in great numbers. Diane photographed this one at the FWG and as you can see, it blends in beautifully with its surroundings.
14 July 2012
Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
Debate continues as to whether the spring azure and the summer azure are two different species, or one and the same. Many guides list them as separate, and there are certainly detectable differences in patterns between the two.
14 July 2012
Milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus)
This is a super shot by Doris, of a very common species. These long-horned beetles are easily seen at this time of year, mostly on milkweed (hence their name), but also on other plants, as here.