06-OCT-2014
Virginia ctenucha caterpillar (Ctenucha virginica)
Barry photographed this ctenucha caterpillar at the garden recently. This species, along with the much more familiar woolly bear caterpillar, can be seen until quite late in the year. It can also be found in early spring, often when there is still snow on the ground.
06-OCT-2014
Bumble bee on knapweed
THe non-native and somewhat invasive (but not yet so at FWG) knapweed, blooms late and offers sustenance to many insects such as this busy bumble bee.
06-OCT-2014
Hover fly, probaby Syrphus sp.
Late summer is a good time to see a wide variety of hover flies (Syrphidae). Barry, who photographed this one, commented that he saw quite a few in the old woods in early October on a sunny day. Others have reported seeing many hover flies in their garden, and I too have found large numbers on any flowering plant, when the day is sunny and the temperature mild.