Here's some of the more interesting insects I saw in early summer - a couple months ago for us down South.
- Curious about something you saw while walking in the woods? Spot the coolest bug ever? The prettiest flower and butterfly? Stumble on a rock and found a fossil? Or was it? This is the place to show your discoveries and share in the knowledge of the natural world right outside our doors. Join in the fun everyday at The Daily Bucket.
Summer 2015, Midway FL
Let me start with this disclaimer - anything I say about insects may be, and often is, wrong. Never looked at them systematically the way I might with wildflower families and even then I am limited to observational notes. But I do admire bugs for their variety and design and colors. Any insights y'all might contribute are appreciated.
So, I uncovered this sizable beast under some leaf litter by the house while pulling early summer weeds. About 2 inches.
You bet I recovered the beauty. Then I looked up and there was this mess of itty-bitty litter going 'round and 'round the face of the electric meter like it was winding it back. I even got a video. Always impressed to see bits of lichens on these bugs and wonder how.
This fly was on the deck under my clothesline; the iridescence caught my eye. Didn't fly off so I was able to get a nice shot. Still there later and I realized it was dead, hollowed out. Maybe the dragonfly that rests on the clothesline snatched it with ever-present ants cleaning up. Speaking of dragonflies, they follow me around. If I go out the door, there's always one that comes up and watches. For bugs I assume.
More below the pile of orange frass...
Tomatoes in the summer - that means hornworms. Here's one of the "Big Boys" right before it met its demise. From what I read, based on the 7 white lines, this is a Tobacco Hornworm, but I may be wrong. I could tolerate them trimming the extensive foliage but do they have to chew thru the fruit?
I'll say this is a Spicebush Swallowtail but I may be ...
It's surprising the number of misidentified butterfly photos that get sent to the "About Town" section in the local paper. The last mistake was a common Gulf Fritillary labeled a Queen. Black spots, white spots - hey it had spots.
Right now I am looking out the window at a Swallowtail flitting around the yard. Hard to tell even with binocs but I'll guess a Giant Swallowtail. Those are common now. Eastern Tiger too.
This Garden Spider in a potted tomato plant was playing hide-n-seek going from one side of its web to the other. So I snapped this the next day after it refused to come back over.
And ending with a Crab spider - I probably scared him out into the open. Usually they are perched in the bloom and waiting. This Parsley visited by lots of small insects is perfect.
Sunny and hot in Midway FL. And where is Midway you might ask? Well it's midway between Tallahassee (Leon County) and Quincy (Gadsden County) and did you know that there are 9 other US cities called Midway? They gotta be bigger than my Midway.
About time to go check the 'maters for hornworms. Oh yeah, and stinkbugs drilling into the fruit. I don't know what to do about them other than pick the fruits early. See ya in the comments!