27-SEP-2011
White underwing moth (Catocala relicta), #8803
This is a very large underwing moth (Noctuidae Family), measuring between 50-70mm. According to what I read, these moths are fairly common at this time of year and on until the weather gets cold. They are an impressive size! There were two on the wall of the Interpretive Centre, and a bit earlier, one flew off looking like a large butterfly!
25-SEP-2011
Fly (Hydrotaea)
This is most likely a Muscid fly, Hydrotaea sp. as identified by Diane.
25-SEP-2011
Heath Aster (Aster (Symphyotrichum) ericoides
This is the large aster in the Backyard garden that was attracting many, many species of insects, as noted by Diane.
25-SEP-2011
Yellow-collared moth (Cisseps fulvicollis)
A look-alike of the more familiar and earlier flying, Virginia ctenucha moth. This species is somewhat smaller.
25-SEP-2011
Flesh fly (Sarcophaga sp.)
Flesh flies, of the Family Sarcophagidae, are very common, and probably most of us have seen them at one time or another and perhaps not paid a whole lot of attention to them. However, close looks reveal them to be very attractive black and white striped insects, often with bright red eyes. Some species in this family give birth to larvae rather than eggs, which is quite unusual.
25-SEP-2011
Flesh fly (Sarcophaga sp.)
Another view of this rather handsome fly, photographed by Diane on the heath aster.
25-SEP-2011
Tachinid fly
There are many species of Tachinid flies, and you can see two more in this family, in this September blog (just scroll down).
25-SEP-2011
Hover fly (Eristalis sp.)
Eristalis hover flies are superb bee mimics. There are many species in this genus and all are bee look-alikes.
23- SEP-2011
Stinkbug, probably Brochymena quadripustulata
Another view of this very large (approx. 15 mm) stinkbug. These guys are omnivores, feeding on insects and vegetation. Their cryptic colouring makes them next to impossible to see most of the time.
23-SEP-2011
Stinkbug, probably Brochymena quadripustulata
Barry noticed this stink bug on the oak tree which was so busy with insects. He said it looked like it deposited something on the leaf, and it certainly looks like an egg. Usually, stinkbugs lay eggs in a cluster, so perhaps this was some frass (insect droppings!). I don't know enough about stinkbugs to say whether some species lay eggs singly.
23-SEP-2011
Cricket
These are the little guys that serenade us all day and especially all night. There are many species of crickets in the world, and quite a few around here, but mostly they remain heard and not seen.
23-SEPT-2011
Bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata)
A cluster of hornets seemingly all trying to get to the sweet extrusion of the oak at the same time.
