Here are 4
May 27, 2023 21:02:23 #
Four species, that is.
First up is another portrait of the extraordinary hackberry emperor caterpillar (Asterocampa celtis).
Hackberry emperor caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next is this tiger beefly, Xenox tigrinus, which is our largest member of the family. This one was sitting on our house, and fortunately it was unwilling to fly so possibly it had recently emerged. Tiger beeflies are parasites of our large carpenter bee, and there was a carpenter bee hole on our shed nearby (the bees are destructive that way), and it had a weird pupa case sticking out of the entrance. So it all seems suspicious.
Tiger beefly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Tiger beefly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Here is a Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). Always lots of these in the yard in the summer.
Japanese Beetle by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
And finally, for the heck of it, here is a Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens). I think we also have a related species called the pickerel frog, and these differ in the form of their spots plus some other details.
Northern leopard frog by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
First up is another portrait of the extraordinary hackberry emperor caterpillar (Asterocampa celtis).
Hackberry emperor caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext is this tiger beefly, Xenox tigrinus, which is our largest member of the family. This one was sitting on our house, and fortunately it was unwilling to fly so possibly it had recently emerged. Tiger beeflies are parasites of our large carpenter bee, and there was a carpenter bee hole on our shed nearby (the bees are destructive that way), and it had a weird pupa case sticking out of the entrance. So it all seems suspicious.
Tiger beefly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrTiger beefly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrHere is a Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica). Always lots of these in the yard in the summer.
Japanese Beetle by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnd finally, for the heck of it, here is a Northern leopard frog (Lithobates pipiens). I think we also have a related species called the pickerel frog, and these differ in the form of their spots plus some other details.
Northern leopard frog by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrMay 27, 2023 21:05:34 #
May 27, 2023 21:45:11 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Four species, that is. br First up is another por... (show quote)
Nice set Mark.
May 27, 2023 22:13:29 #
May 28, 2023 06:41:54 #
The first photo, being a car guy, I wounder if the tail flashed if the cat was making a turn, sorry!!
The two fly photos, so clear... and the fur coat with fringe!! They have well designed over the millions of years.
I recall the iridescent beetles from my child hood they were beautiful in a non iridescent world.
The Frog photo... but where is the frog?? Indeed, it is well camouflaged.
Mark your photos would be great pinups in a biology class room. Shark Week is a common thing teaching study... why? How many of the kids encounter sharks... if they did they would not benefit from naming each fin!!
Insects as you present them are every where and much more intriguing than sharks.
The two fly photos, so clear... and the fur coat with fringe!! They have well designed over the millions of years.
I recall the iridescent beetles from my child hood they were beautiful in a non iridescent world.
The Frog photo... but where is the frog?? Indeed, it is well camouflaged.
Mark your photos would be great pinups in a biology class room. Shark Week is a common thing teaching study... why? How many of the kids encounter sharks... if they did they would not benefit from naming each fin!!
Insects as you present them are every where and much more intriguing than sharks.
May 28, 2023 09:44:30 #
May 28, 2023 10:33:44 #
Yet another outstanding and educational series. I learn something new from each episode.
May 28, 2023 11:12:50 #
May 28, 2023 12:55:21 #
May 28, 2023 22:57:44 #
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