The Daily Bucket is a regular series from the Backyard Science group. Here we talk about Mother Nature in all her glory, especially the parts that live nearby. So let us know (as close as you are comfortable) where you are and what's going on around you. What's the weather like? Seen any interesting plants, bugs or critters? Are there birds at your feeders? Deer, foxes or peahens in your yard? Seen any cool rocks or geological features? Post your observations and notes here. And photos. We like lots of photos. :)
Well, summer is almost officially over. The leaves are starting to turn here in upstate NY, just a little, and the blackbirds have started flocking together for their southern trek. I spent some time looking over my bug photos from this year and thought you might like to see a few of my favorites. Join me over the squiggle for some bugginess!
These are in no particular order but were all taken this year. Let's start with my very favorite new moth, the primrose moth. This gorgeous creature lives on evening primrose plants and its caterpillars feed on the plants. I've always thought the finches were pulling apart the seedpods for the seeds but now I wonder if perhaps they were actually going after the caterpillars!
Next in the lepidoptera, a beautiful giant swallowtail.
Another lepidop, the hummingbird moth. They really can be mistaken for a hummingbird if you only catch a glimpse of them!
Moving on to other types of critters, here is a mystery larvae I dug up out of the mulch pile. I would think it was simply a Japanese beetle larvae but I've never seen one so big. I found several in the course of the day, all in the mulch pile. Hope I didn't import some nameless thug!
My favorite hymenoptera of the year, a tricolored bumblebee. I've never seen more than one of these at a time. This one is perusing the nectar to be found on mountain mint.
Another very beautiful hymenoptera, the great golden digger wasp. I have found these wasps to be very docile, though I'd never try to touch one. They are ground nesting wasps which provide their larvae with paralyzed insects to feed on.
Just one or two more. Dragonflies are always present when there is water nearby and we get quite a collection near our pond. This one kept me company for most of a day when I was weeding nearby.
Lastly, my very favorite ninja bug, the wavy-lined emerald caterpillar. They are very hard to spot unless you see them move. Their method of camouflage is to glue bits of flower petals to their backs. They can be found on many plants with composite flowers, provided you have the patience to look for them! ;)
What cool bugs did you see this year?
"Spotlight on Green News & Views" will be posted every Saturday at 1pm and Wednesday at 3:30 pm Pacific Time on the Daily Kos front page. Be sure to recommend and comment in the diary.