05-JUL-2013
Abbot's sphinx moth caterpillar (Sphecodina abbottii), 7870
A spectacular caterpillar!! Photographed by Barry in the Backyard Garden and enjoyed by many on Friday morning. These caterpillars are very variable for each instar is different. This is the final instar. The larvae particularly like grape, of which we have an abundance. This is a new species for our moth list.
Goldenrod crab spide (Misumena vatia), female
A very pretty shot of the crab spider sitting in the middle of a mallow flower. Although called goldenrod crab spiders, these are found on all sorts of flowering plants, where they lie perfectly still, waiting for prey to land. This one is white, and with the pink stripe, blends in well with the flower. On yellow flowers they become golden in colour. Camouflage is the key to their success!
Hover fly, most likely Helophilus
This is a medium size hover fly (Syrphidae), and like most hover flies resembles a bee. It is probably a Helophilus sp. but the Parhelophilus looks similar. Barry took this fine shot.
Buffalo treehopper (Ceresa alta?)
One of our most common, and commonly seen, treehoppers. There are many species in the Genus Ceresa, and this is likely C. alta, but could be C. palmeri.
Ladybeetle (Brachiacantha ursina)
A very tiny ladybeetle, so small it is easily overlooked. I have rarely succeeded in getting a good photo as it is almost too small for my camera to capture well. Barry took this nice sharp shot. This is sometimes called, not surprisingly, orange-spotted ladybeetle, but most guides just call it ladybeetle.
03-JUL-2013
Mushrooms
This pretty cluster of dove gray tiny mushrooms, by Barry, are like Marasmius species. He said they were on a pile of wood chips.
Great crested flycatcher
Barry photographed this flycatcher sitting in a spruce, looking one way, while a wasp flies by on the right. It might have become a meal had the flycatcher seen it.
02-JULY-2013
Dark Marathyssa (Marathyssa inficita), #8955
A collage of photos of this very unusual looking moth, showing it from behind, side, and front. It was on a thistle in the old field area. I was not sure at first if it was an insect or a bit of plant debris. But when I got a better look I realized it was a moth. I am pretty sure this is the Dark Marathyssa (Marathyssa inficita), whose host plant is staghorn sumac, of which we have much at the garden, and it was about 2 feet away from a big stand of sumac.
02-JUL-2013
Common yellowthroat, male
Sitting on a tangle of dog-strangling vine, this yellowthroat was very vocal and active, scolding me all the time I was walking past where he was protecting his nest site. This guy was joined by house wrens, catbirds, robins, song sparrows, and a red-eyed vireo, all scolding vociferously!
02-JUL-2013
Common yellowthroat, male
Another shot of the lovely warbler. This species has become a regularly occurring nesting species at the garden in the last decade.
02-JUL-2013
House wren
Sitting on a stem of Dog-strangling vine (DSV), this wren was sounding an alarm, joining in with other species, all of whom were upset because I was walking by!
02-JUL-2013
House wrens
Very busy feeding young. The wrens could be heard calling from many parts of the garden today.