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Banded Tussock Moth Caterpillar
Don’t miss the little things when you are out in nature. Little things in nature can be so cute, like this Banded Tussock moth caterpillar (Halysidota tessellaris). They look like tiny Yorkshire Terriers to me. Cute as they are though, don’t pick one up. Their furry coat can cause an itchy rash that will last…
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One Of Several Host Plants
The Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) on one of its many host plants. Silvery Checkerspots depend upon several composites as their host plants including Asters, Coneflowers, and Sunflowers. These two photos are of a species of Sunflower, Woodland Sunflower (Helianthus divaricatus). _______________________________________________________________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email, sign up…
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Pennsylvania Leatherwing
Pennsylvania Leatherwing (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus). A member of the Soldier Beetle family, Cantharidae. Native to North America. These Leatherwings are on Wild Ageratum (Eupatorium coelestinum), though I’ve read their favorite color is yellow, such as Goldenrod. I guess they are not that particular. They are considered a great pollinator. And they love to eat aphids, as…
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Green Stink Bug Revisited
Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris) can be found in most of eastern North America. Both adults and nymphs can cause injury to fruits, including stone fruits, vegetables, and field crops. Nymph of Green Stink Bug (Chinavia hilaris). There are two things that I am thankful for regarding this Stink Bug. First, though I have seen…
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Canadian Owlet Moth Caterpillar
Quite the impressive caterpillar. Caterpillar of the Canadian Owlet Moth (Calyptra canadensis). Native to most of Canada and the United States. Adults have a wingspan of a bit less than 1.5 inches and are pale brown, looking much like a dried up leaf, a perfect camouflage. The caterpillars of Canadian Owlet Moths feed exclusively on…
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Dancing Garlic
It’s a first for the vegetable garden. Garlic (Allium sativum). Planted several months ago. It’s been a learning experience to see it coming up, green leaves reaching for the sky. And now flower buds atop their stems, bending in unison, Rockettes style. Who would have thought that garlic dances in the garden?! _______________________________________________________________________ If you…
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Skipper
A skipper that is mighty easy to recognize thanks to its large bright white spot on the ventral view of its wings. This skipper is found in a large part of the United States into southern Canada. Adults sip the nectar of many different flowers. Skippers are classified together with true butterflies since they fly…
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Really Red
This morning I spotted two male Scarlet Tanagers (Piranga olivacea) in my Montmorency cherry tree. A tree that is filled with brilliant red cherries. Seeing one of these gorgeous birds is a real treat but to see two together is amazing. And in that tree with cherries that match their color – way beyond amazing.…
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Amazing Mom Spider
Hoping you’re not freaked out by this photo. I had to share this with you, a mother Wolf Spider (Lycosidae). AND those yellow-green dots on her back are her babies. If you look carefully at the image, you can actually see their legs. The Wolf Spider is a different sort of mom, particularly in the…
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Smooth Solomon’s Seal
Smooth Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum biflorum), in bloom up here in the woods. It is an herbaceous perennial, native to eastern and central North America. Often found in rocky woods, happy in either dry or moist soil. Like the Yucca, it’s another plant in the asparagus (Asparagaceae) family. Smooth Solomon Seal can very slowly form colonies…