Category Archives: Insects

Honeybees on Wild Hyacinth

Wild Hyacinth, Camassia scilloide Yesterday we found a patch of Wild Hyacinth blooming just east of Beaver Lake. The bees were actively working the flowers.

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Bumble Bee

Bumble Bee, (Bombus sp) I don’t understand the behavior of this Bumble Bee. It was rubbing it’s entire body into the center of the Prairie Rose. It would slowly lean and rotate as it’s body. I assume it was eating, … Continue reading

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Butterfly Catcher

Garden Spider, (Argiope aurantia) Butterflies are abundant on the Prairie Blazing Star. One of the predators for the butterflies is this large showy spider; the Garden Spider. Most people find spiders creepy but I think this one is quite beautiful.

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Creepy Wheel Bug

Wheel bug, (Arilus cristatus) Today while I was enjoying looking at the first blossoms on an annual sunflower I noticed a Wheel bug. The name comes from the cog-like structure on it’t back. Wheel bugs feed on other insects by … Continue reading

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Halloween Pennant Dragonfly

Halloween Pennant, (Celithemis eponina) Walking near Beaver Lake yesterday one of these flashy dragonflies caught my eye. I spent the next hour chasing him, finally getting this picture as he perched above me.

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Hummingbird Clearwing

Hummingbird Clearwing, (Hemaris thysbe) Yesterday among the cloud of butterflies on a patch of milkweed I found this moth; a Hummingbird Clearwing. As it’s name suggests, the wings are translucent. Given the color, size and the way it hovers it … Continue reading

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Ebony Jewelwing

Ebony Jewelwing, (Calopteryx maculata) I saw this iridescent damselfly fluttering in the emerging grasses this morning. At first it looked all black but as I got in close I could see a full spectrum of saturated colors. Then I noticed … Continue reading

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Spangled Skimmer

Spangled Skimmer, (Libellula cyanea) The hot humid weather has brought out the dragonflies. Here is a picture of a Spangled Skimmer resting on a blade of grass by one of the ponds here at the PGT.

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Six-spotted Tiger Beetle

Six-spotted Tiger Beetle, (Cicindela sexguttata) I found this pair of Tiger Beetles mating in a the dirt along the edge of one of the trails in the South 40-Woods today. The iridescent metalic green makes them stand out in the … Continue reading

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13-Year Cicada

13-year Periodical Cicada, (Magicicada sp) Today I saw my first Cicada. I have read that there will be a major emergence of them this year (click here). Apparently the sound they make may become significant later this month. We found … Continue reading

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