23-SEP-2011
Oak gall
Galls are made by insects, usually small flies or wasps, sometimes moths, and sometimes other insects. On oaks, however, the trees that seem to have the most diverse collection of galls, almost all are made by tiny, tiny Cynipid wasps.
23-SEP-2011
Common green darner (Anax junius)
These large dragonflies are quite common spring through fall and are often the first odonates we see in spring, and stick around well into fall. This one looks like a juvenile.
23-SEP-2011
Insects on red oak
Barry noticed that the red oak near the pond was attracting lots of insects with its sticky sap. Here an Asian ladybeetle dwarfs the fly and the ant also seeking sap. Barry said the tree "was alive with ladybeetles, wasps, bees and flies, apparently feeding on the sap of buds near the ends of branches."
23-SEP-2011
Western conifer seed bug (Leptoglossus occidentalis)
Barry photographed this large (approx. 20 mm) bug at the garden. These insects belong to the Coreidae, Leaf-footed bugs. Fall is the time of year to find these distinctive looking bugs and they can be quite abundant as the colder weather draws close, because they will seek shelter in warm nooks and crannies, sometimes in large aggregations.
23-SEP-2011
New England Aster
What a gorgeous glow to this aster that Diane photographed today!
23-SEP-2011
Ducks on turtle raft
The turtle raft is well-liked by the ducks that visit the pond, as Diane's photo shows.
23-SEP-2011
Feather-legged fly (Trichopoda plumipes)
This medium sized Tachinid fly is very, very cool. The common name is appropriate for, if you look closely, you will see "feathering" on the legs!! This is yet another insect that Diane saw on the aster in the Backyard Garden.
23-SEP-2011
Burrowing bug (Sehirus cinctus)
As you can see from the perch of this bug, it is a very small creature, about 4-7mm. I find them very handsome in their crisp black edged with white. Interestingly, their nymphs are a vivid red and black.
23-SEP-2011
Sphecid wasp (Isodontia mexicana)
Despite the species name, this is a common wasp native to this area.
23-SEP-2011
Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta) on asters
Summer azures are still flying, as are some other common butterflies. Diane also saw eastern-tailed blue (next photo), and both clouded sulphur and orange sulphur at FWG.
23-SEP-2011
Eastern-tailed Blue (em>Everes comyntas)
A gorgeous photo by Diane!! This species has been abundant this year, with some people reporting scores of them at one time, though not at FWG! Next year, who knows, they may be back to being regular but in small numbers.
23-SEP-2011
Paper wasp (Polistes dominulus)
A common paper wasp in the region, originally from Europe. It has not been in NA that long, but already is a familiar sight, although with its black and yellow colouring and fairly small size, it is often mistaken for a yellowjacket.
