08-JUN-2015
Woodland Walk
This shows the woodland walk section of the Backyard Garden component of the Fletcher Wildlife Garden. The woodland area showcases native plants of our local woodlands, and allows visitors to see how beautiful our native plants can be, and how they can be used in a traditional garden setting.
June 2015
Cobweb spider (Theridula)
This minute spider found and photographed by Barry, is in the Theridiidae family. I post it here because it is an interesting addition.
Hover fly (Toxomerus)
photographed by Barry on a dame's rocket (Hesperis matronalis). The tiny Toxomerus hover flies (Syrphidae) are abundant. We have two species, T. geminatus and T. marginatus. The latter has a yellow stripe along the side of the abdomen but unfortunately I can't see much detail here. However, the photo shows how one typically sees these minute flies.
Bluet sp.
Lots of these little damselflies around the garden these days. Having a side view would help more with an ID of this bluet.
June 2015
Possibly a Lygaeus plant bug
A very nice photo by Barry of what appears to be a small Lygaeus plant bug.
June 2015
Sedge sprite (Nehalennia irene)
A delicate damselfly that consumes large numbers of mosquitoes.
June 11, 2015
First Monarch
Susan Fillman photographed this female monarch nectaring on a dandelion. Our first monarch of the year, just in time as our milkweeds are now up and growing rapidly.
June 2015
Sawfly larva
Barry photographed this beautiful littel sawfly larva. It may be in the genus Pseudosiobla, but it is difficult to say for sure. I have photographed these larvae in the past at both FWG and elsewhere and have never been able to satisfactorily ID them. Dogwood sawfly larvae can look similar to this as early instars, so can other species of sawfly.
Dance fly (Rhamphomyia) sp.), male
The much less showy male counterpart of the female shown in the next image. The males are busy hunting food for their females. Larvae are also active hunters, but the females are not.
Dance fly (Rhamphomyia) sp.), female
At this time of year, these flies are numerous throughout the garden. The females are the most noticeable with their red eyes and very fringed legs. The females are real princesses! They don't hunt for their own food, waiting instead for the male to feed them.
Elderberry borer (Desmocerus palliatus)
A spectacular large (about 25 mm) long-horned beetle photographed by Barry at the garden. The larvae of this species feed on elderberry roots.