02-Sep-2019
Butterfly meadow
A panoramic view of part of the meadow, showing the abundant goldenrod so attractive to butterflies.
02-Sep-2019
Locust borer longhorn beetle (Megacyllene robiniae)
This beetle is closely associated with black locust trees and in late summer emerges to feed mainly on goldenrod nectar.
02-Sep-2019
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
Another view of the butterfly, this time with its wings closed showing the 4 spots which are an identifying feature separating this from the american lady butterfly.
02-Sep-2019
Painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui)
One of many painted lady butterflies nectaring on goldenrod in the Butterfly Meadow.
02-Sep-2019
White admiral (Limenitis arthemis)
Found near the Resource Centre, this butterfly was intent on getting minerals from the soil.
02-Sep-2019
Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus)
One of five monarchs seen in the butterfly meadow. There were also a few more elsewhere in the garden.
02-Sep-2019
Butterfly Meadow
The meadow really lived up to its name yesterday, as numerous painted lady, american lady, monarch, clouded sulphur, eastern-tailed blue, and cabbage white butterflies fed constantly on the goldenrod. The goldenrods, Canada, grass-leaved and rough-stemmed, were all being visited by numerous butterflies and other insects, but in the Butterfly Meadow especially, there were numerous fresh painted lady butterflies flitting from flower to flower.
02-Sep-2019
Asian lady beetle larva (Harmonia axyridis)
This larva is starting to transform into a pupa, as in the next photo. Both the larvae and the adult beetles consume vast numbers of aphids.
02-Sep-2019
Asian lady beetle pupa (Harmonia axyridis)
This is the pupa of the Asian lady beetle. At the moment both pupae and larvae are quite common on a variety of vegetation.
02-Sep-2019
Calligraphic beetle (Calligrapha californica)
A member of the Chrysomelid family, this small shiny beetle is one of many in the genus Calligrapha. Others have intricate and attractive "calligraphic" patterns, unlike the straightforward lines on this one. It was found on beggar ticks (Bidens).
02-Sep-2019
Ambush bug (Phymata)
The ambush bug, is hidden in plain sight on the goldenrod. By sitting entirely still they are able to ambush their prey, in this case, a honey bee.
02-Sep-2019
Pennsylvania leatherwing beetle (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
The goldenrods are the place to be these days if you are an insect because they are busy with bees, flies, bugs, butterflies and beetles, in this case here, a mating pair of Pennsylvania leatherwings, a member of the Soldier Beetle family (Cantharidae).
