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.
14 July 2012
Gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar), male, #8313
14 July 2012
Clover looper moth (Caenurgina crassiuscula), # 8738
This may be one of the most common moths around, but despite that, it is not always easy to get such a good photo as Doris did, here. These are the little brown jobs that fly up in spring and summer, constantly fooling those of us looking for skippers, as it darts out of the grass, flies a short distance, and drops back down.
14 July 2012
Cedar Waxwings
A terrific shot of these handsome birds, by Doris. Because these birds nest later than most species, they are frequently seen in small flocks, calling and flying around the area, while other birds are setting up territory and nesting. You can easily see the red tips to the wings that give them their common name of waxwings.
14 July 2012
Primrose Moth (Schinia florida ), #11164
Doris Potter, a visitor from out of town, was at the FWG on the weekend. She wrote, "I spent several hours at the FWG this past week-end and in spite of the heat and humidity I had a great time. I took hundreds of photos and just sent off four to the e-mail address given on the website.
I hope I will have the opportunity to visit again (maybe in the Spring next time)."
Thanks for the photos, Doris. They are wonderful!
14 July 2012
Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus)
This large (approx. 1 inch in length) wasp is in the Sphecidae family, the thread-waisted wasps. By mid-July it, and the closely related S. pensylvanicus (next photo), are common sights around flowers. Both species hunt insects in the grasshopper family and put the paralyzed insects into their underground nest. They are generally non-aggressive, as is true of most Sphecids, and I have spent many hours around them, getting to within an inch of them. However, when protecting their nest site, they may get defensive.
14 July 2012
Great Black Wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
Also known as the Great Black Digger, this is closely related to the previous wasp, and has much the same habits and ecology. I've watched them carrying large grasshoppers, as big as they are, or bigger, heading towards a burrow.
14-JULY-2012
Hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe)
We're seeing many of these large, impressive Sphinx moths at the garden (and all over the region in fact). This is probably the best time to find these beautiful diurnal moths. Although many people think they are seeing a hummingbird when this moth first darts past and hovers at flowers, it is in fact a bumblebee mimic, the theory being that it will deter predators if it looks like a large stinging bumblebee.
Cicada emerging from its nymphal case
We sometimes add photos taken in the Arboretum, which is adjacent to the FWG, especially if of observations we could just as easily see at FWG. Thus, the following photos by Barry showing the emergence of a Cicada from its nymphal case. It is quite the process and Barry was luckily able to watch this interesting event.
Cicada emerging from its nymphal case
Another view of the odd-looking newly emerging cicada. What a peculiar looking creature it is. The green colouration is the hemolymph (green blood!) that the cicada is pumping through its wings to enlarge them.
13-JUL-2012
Monarch butterfly on common milkweed
David photographed this monarch on milkweeds near the pond.
10-JUL-2012
Beaver swimming in the Arboretum
France Thibodeau kindly sent us a series of photos she took in and around the FWG today. She saw this beaver swimming in the stream running through the Arboretum and wondered whether it might end up in the FWG pond.
10-JUL-2012
Beaver
Another view of the beaver - this time swimming toward France.
10-JUL-2012
Arched hooktip (Drepana arcuata), # 6251
This distinctive little moth was basking on the wall near the door to the Interpretive Centre. It belongs to its own family, the hooktip moths (Drepaninae). This may be a new addition to our list, unless Diane has found it in her recent mothing outings to the FWG.
10-JUL-2012
Speedwell Veronica longifolia
The veronica is in bloom in the butterfly meadow and attracting a number of bees. A non-native species, this is also known as long-leaved speedwell.
10-JUL-2012
Eastern Kingbird near the Butterfly Meadow
This species bred at the FWG this year, and in fact, has only missed a year here and there in terms of making the FWG its nesting site. They also breed in the Arboretum. Their scientific name is well chosen: Tyrannus tyrannus, for they are tyrannical in their pursuit of anything that comes near their nest or into their territory.
10-JUL-2012
Small milkweed bug (Lygaeus kalmii)
These are a common sight around milkweed patches in summer, along with the black and red long-horned milkweed beetle. Actually, if you look carefully, you can see these bugs in very early spring, just after the snow leaves, as they overwinter as adults and emerge long before many other insects.
10-JUL-2012
Faint-spotted Angle Moth (Digrammia ocellinata), # 6386
France photographed this moth in the Backyard Garden. Thanks to Diane Lepage for identifying it.
10-JUL-2012
Non-native columbine in the Backyard Garden
One of the last flowers on this horticultural variety of columbine. The native species, which is also in the Backyard Garden, has finished blooming for this year.
10-JUL-2012
Black swallowtail , male (Papillio polyxenes) visiting purple coneflower
These swallowtails have been common around the garden in the last few weeks. Larval host plants include Queen Anne's lace and wild parsnip, interestingly, both non-native species, but very well used by black swallowtails.
10-JUL-2012
Black swallowtail , male (Papillio polyxenes) visiting purple coneflower
Another lovely shot of this elegant male black swallowtail.
10-JUL-2012
Red admiral (Vanessa atalanta) on dogbane
We're seeing more Red Admirals at the garden this week - probably the offspring of the many individuals of this species that caused such excitement this spring. The larval host plant is stinging nettle, and fortunately for the red admirals, there are several large populations around the garden, and every single plant had red admiral caterpillars earlier in the season. This individual is a bit frayed about the wings, but some of the recently emerged ones are glistening in their freshness.
10-JUL-2012
Snowberry clearwing (Hemaris diffinis), #7855, feeding on spreading dogbane
Another fine shot by France, of this lovely moth. These moths, both this one and Hemaris thysbe (the one typically referred to as a hummingbird moth), are confusingly also referred to as clearwing moths, or hummingbird clearwing moths. But clearwing moths are a very different thing, and are in the family Sesiidae, while these guys are in the Sphinx Moth family (Sphingidae).
10-JUL-2012
Snowberry clearwing (Hemarisdiffinis) feeding on spreading dogbane
Like its close relative, the hummingbird moth (Hemaris thysbe), this moth can also hover in front of a flower while it sips nectar.
Buffalo treehopper (stictocephala ), nymphal skin and adult
The funny spiky object at top is the shed skin of a buffalo treehopper nymph. The adult treehopper is shown below.
09-JUL-2012
Monarch butterfly on common milkweed (Danaus plexippus)
Early morning light on this lovely and very fresh looking monarch, which was flitting from plant to plant, although I could not find any eggs.
09-JUL-2012
Tree swallow, juvenile
This was one of the last tree swallows at the garden, still peering out of its box, long after all the others had left. I was starting to worry about it, when an adult flew in and fed it. However, a few days later, Barry checked the box and found two dead young in there. Whether this was one of them is hard to say. Certainly, this guy was well-feathered and appeared as if it should be ready to fly.
09-JUL-2012
Clavate tortoise beetle (Plagiometriona clavata) larva
Often found on Physalis plants. Last summer I found first the adult, then the larva, on a small stand of Physalis, so today I decided to have a look and see if I could find either, and there was the larva. This flat-bodied little creature is about 3 mm in size. The black blob is a protective cover of feces. Many beetles use feces to deter predators, either as larvae or deposited by females on top of newly laid eggs.
09-JUL-2012
Cobweb spider (Theridula emertoni)
A tiny spider, approx. 2 mm in size. I have seen photos of this cobweb spider and hoped I might find one, and this morning I did, underneath a milkweed leaf. The colours are vivid and the shape unusual.
09-JUL-2012
White-faced meadowhawk (Sympetrum obtrusum)
One of the most abundant meadowhawks in the area. In some locations you can see scores of them flying along in front of you, but at FWG, while commonly seen, they are present in much smaller numbers.
09-JUL-2012
Milkweed beetle (Tetraopes tetrophthalmus)
These large, colourful beetles belong to the long-horned beetle family (Cerambycidae). They are commonly seen once the milkweed grows, and at FWG this summer, are particularly numerous. Along with these beetles, are the red and black small milkweed bugs, also, as the name suggests, on milkweed.
07-JUL-2012
Silver-Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
One of the prettiest, if not the prettiest, skipper in our area, and certainly the biggest by far, almost double the size of other common skippers. They begin appearing later in the month of June, but this is the time of year when we start seeing them more commonly at FWG.
07-JUL-2012
Primrose moth (Schinia florida )
One of my favourite moths. Diane photographed this at the garden today. Once the evening primrose begins to bloom, you can be sure that these moths will appear. I saw four on one plant in another location recently. They are quite spectacular. A pink moth, white 'head-dress' and, though you can't see them, green eyes.
Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense)
A beautiful, relatively uncommon native vine that can grow to great heights given the right conditions. This one has been in the ash woods for years and years, but with the demise of a nearby tree more light is let in and the plant has taken off. Here, the scene is one reminiscent of a lush jungle.
Moonseed vine (Menispermum canadense)
Another shot of the moonseed vine.
05-JUL-2012
Monarch butterfly on common milkweed
At first it appeared as if this monarch was trying to oviposit on dog-strangling vine, a plant that has been shown to be toxic to larvae. However, I couldn't find any eggs, and then she wandered over to the nearby common milkweeds and again appeared to oviposit, and again, I couldn't find any eggs.
05-JUL-2012
Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calynus)
This hairstreak was on a small walnut sapling. I have often found both banded and striped hairstreaks on walnut trees at FWG. This species is often found around treed areas, along woodland trails, edges of woodlots, etc.
05-JUL-2012
Black swallowtail (Papillio polyxenes), female
This is one of three black swallowtails I saw at the garden (two were hanging around the Queen Anne's lace together, the 3rd was on the other side of the garden). Here, this female is nectaring, but a little earlier, she was ovipositing on this plant.
05-JUL-2012
Butterfly Meadow - new plantings
Diane and her team of volunteers have done phenomenal work in planting thousands of plants in the ever-expanding butterfly meadow. This photo shows only one small area. There is much more. Impressive work.
05-JUL-2012
Juvenile tree swallow
This family of tree swallows has not yet left. The youngster looking out of the box appears ready to take flight, and most of the other swallows have now left. Hopefully, there is nothing wrong here.
05-JUL-2012
Eastern kingbird
Swooping over the pond, this kingbird narrowly missed catching a cabbage white butterfly, but did find some flies that it caught and ate.
05-JUL-2012
Green heron
This green heron was hanging out at the pond, first at the fallen maple (felled a few years back by an overwintering beaver, and now a well, well used perch by all sorts of birds... and dragonflies), and then on the turtle raft.
05-JUL-2012
Jumping spiders (Phidippus clarus)
On July 1st, I photographed one of these spiders and yesterday, while working in the old field, I saw two on a dong-strangling vine leaf.
01-JUL-2012
Great spangled fritillary (Speyeria cybele)
A bit tattered but still flying strongly and here, nectaring on common milkweed.
01-JUL-2012
Jumping spiders (Phidippus clarus)
Milkweeds are always good places to find jumping spiders. I was delighted to find the very striking P. clarus male, the one at the top. He was sparring with another male when I came across them and while one bolted, this one tried to scare me off before retreating to his silken shelter where this other spider was hiding. I assume it is the female, because it is the right colour and pattern (she is very different from the male), but she seems so much smaller and usually the reverse is true. This species is exceptionally large for a jumping spider at about 15 mm for the female (including legs), and somewhat smaller for the male.
01-JUL-2012
Jumping spider (Phidippus clarus), male
Here, the male shows off his vividly coloured abdomen.
01-JUL-2012
Jumping spider (Phidippus clarus), male
And here, the male is trying to scare me off. Look at those shiny green fangs and those big eyes. I find jumping spiders to be the most attractive of all spiders. Very, very cute. I guess it is the big eyes.
01-JUL-2012
Mating Eastern forktails (Ischnura verticalis)
These pretty forktails were in the Backyard Garden pond this afternoon.
01-JUL-2012
Prunus leaf with sections cut out by leaf-cutting bees
Two newly planted prunus trees in the ash woods, have been heavily visited by leaf-cutting bees (Megachilids). They cut circular sections for nest making and in this case, in the nearby bee nest box. The leaf-cutting bees favour plants in the rose family, of which prunus trees are a member.
01-JUL-2012
Planthopper nymph (Metcalfa pruinosa)
This is a terrible photo as this tiny nymph would not stop moving around. But I add it to show how peculiar the nymph stage of the Metcalfa planthopper is. It looks like a speck of white fluff!
01-JUL-2012
Plant bug (Neurocolpus sp.)on wild parsnip
This is probably one of the Neurocolpus species of plant bug. The wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa) has just begun to grow and flower but already the plants bugs are plentiful and the parsnip webworm (a moth) has found them. The latter is a control agent for these plants. Wild parsnip is also favoured by the black swallowtail butterfly for laying its eggs on.
01-JUL-2012
Dog-strangling vine seed pod
This powerfully aggressive invasive plant has now begun producing seedpods which are maturing at a fast rate. At present there are plants still in flower, others with tiny seedpods, and still others with full-size pods. I opened one of the large ones and found 20 seeds inside. Each seed is polyembryonic, meaning it can produce 2 to 6 plants per seed. So, 20 x 2 = 40 new plants, and 20 x 6 =120 new plants. Each plant has multiple seed pods, and there are millions of these plants at FWG, so it doesn't take much figuring out to see why the plants spread so rapidly. Of course, not all seeds are viable, but these amazing plants have at least a 48% success rate in terms of seed survivability.
01-JUL-2012
Dog-strangling vine leaf
As anyone who visits the FWG knows, the dog-strangling vine (DSV) (pale swallowwort) is an abundant and aggressive invasive species. Biologists are looking for bio-control agents as a method of helping control this plant. While not much feeds on the DSV, we have always noticed signs of some herbivory. This particular leaf caught my eye as the leaves were chewed much more so than one usually sees in this plant.
