Assorted critters from here and there
Aug 11, 2023 10:32:39 #
On our drive back from New Jersey we stopped off to see Niagara Falls. That was amazing and all that, but where are the bugs? There were orb weavers everywhere, and here is one. I find that identifying many from the genus Araneus to be challenging since their colors and markings are so variable, but it seems to me that the markings on the underside are more consistent. Based on that, let’s call this the Marbled Orbweaver, A. marmoreus.
Orbweaver by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Orbweaver by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next up is one of those super duper common cylindrical moths that everyone sees all the time. They are the “grass veneer” moths. I’ve never bothered to ever photograph one for some reason, but of course that is wrong to do since they really are interesting. This particular one is the Bluegrass Webworm Moth, Parapediasia teterrellus.
Bluegrass Webworm Moth by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next up is a weirdo caterpillar that was on our deck furniture. Note that it has a fleshy fringe to conceal its shadow, adding to excellent camouflage. It must have come down from the large cherry tree. It took a while to ID in BugGuide since I wasn’t even sure about the family. But eventually I tried the Geometridae (inchworms) in Michigan, and found it to be the Pale Beauty Inchworm, Campaea periata.
Pale Beauty Inchworm by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Pale Beauty Inchworm by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
And finally, here is one of our tiger beetles, the Festive Tiger Beetle, Cicindela scutellaris. Getting these is hit or miss, since they quickly scatter when one approaches. But lying still with the camera ready, they eventually wander back and they soon think you are part of the scenery. The area colors were so vivid that the beetle was fairly drowned out, so I toned down the sand and put the beetle back in as it was with a layer mask.
Festive Tiger Beetle by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thank you for looking!
Orbweaver by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrOrbweaver by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext up is one of those super duper common cylindrical moths that everyone sees all the time. They are the “grass veneer” moths. I’ve never bothered to ever photograph one for some reason, but of course that is wrong to do since they really are interesting. This particular one is the Bluegrass Webworm Moth, Parapediasia teterrellus.
Bluegrass Webworm Moth by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext up is a weirdo caterpillar that was on our deck furniture. Note that it has a fleshy fringe to conceal its shadow, adding to excellent camouflage. It must have come down from the large cherry tree. It took a while to ID in BugGuide since I wasn’t even sure about the family. But eventually I tried the Geometridae (inchworms) in Michigan, and found it to be the Pale Beauty Inchworm, Campaea periata.
Pale Beauty Inchworm by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrPale Beauty Inchworm by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAnd finally, here is one of our tiger beetles, the Festive Tiger Beetle, Cicindela scutellaris. Getting these is hit or miss, since they quickly scatter when one approaches. But lying still with the camera ready, they eventually wander back and they soon think you are part of the scenery. The area colors were so vivid that the beetle was fairly drowned out, so I toned down the sand and put the beetle back in as it was with a layer mask.
Festive Tiger Beetle by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThank you for looking!
Aug 11, 2023 10:52:28 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
On our drive back from New Jersey we stopped off t... (show quote)
Good set Mark. The Tiger Beetle takes the prize!
Aug 11, 2023 11:40:37 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
On our drive back from New Jersey we stopped off t... (show quote)
Great images Mark, though I personally do not like Spiders, the Insects are more to my liking.
Interesting route, NJ to Western NY to MI. Hey, I have a question for you. Do you have any family / ancestors who settled in California? There is a well known water fall in the San Gabriel Mountains called Sturtevant Falls. Named after Wilbur M. Sturtevant.https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=555953162&sxsrf=AB5stBh6aPIbsGwAQBYr9zVFVpUVzJqqVg:1691767967045&q=sturtevant+falls&tbm=isch&source=lnms&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwis9N7l9tSAAxXbI0QIHZw3CUcQ0pQJegQICxAB&biw=1400&bih=689&dpr=1.38.
Aug 11, 2023 12:15:25 #
lamiaceae wrote:
Great images Mark, though I personally do not like Spiders, the Insects are more to my liking. Interesting route, NJ to Western NY to MI. Hey, I have a question for you. Do you have any family / ancestors who settled in California? There is a well known water fall in the San Gabriel Mountains called Sturtevant Falls. Named after Wilbur M. Sturtevant.
Interesting route, NJ to Western NY to MI. Hey, I have a question for you. Do you have any family / ancestors who settled in California? There is a well known water fall in the San Gabriel Mountains called Sturtevant Falls. Named after Wilbur M. Sturtevant.I visited there when I was ~ 8 years old. No idea if they are related. There is also (I am told) a Sturtevant's Bar in Boston.
Aug 11, 2023 12:15:57 #
Aug 11, 2023 12:56:57 #
Aug 12, 2023 05:58:41 #
Your work is outstanding, as always. I can't help but wonder how many Campaea periata, AKA weirdo caterpillars I've walked by without even noticing.
Aug 12, 2023 07:22:12 #
1 & 2, textbook anatomy views of spiderdom.
Obviously, 3, 4, and 5 are just sticks...
The last photo, the Tiger Bettle could be straight from a 1970s giant insect horror film.
Perhaps Mark Sturtevant is cursed by the insect world, they are everywhere he looks... I never see these creatures when I go outside. Mark does a superb job of documenting his world.
Obviously, 3, 4, and 5 are just sticks...
The last photo, the Tiger Bettle could be straight from a 1970s giant insect horror film.
Perhaps Mark Sturtevant is cursed by the insect world, they are everywhere he looks... I never see these creatures when I go outside. Mark does a superb job of documenting his world.
Aug 12, 2023 07:25:32 #
These are beautifully shot images Mark, that Inchworm has such cute little feet.
Aug 12, 2023 07:57:59 #
Aug 12, 2023 08:10:55 #
Don, the 2nd son wrote:
Simply FABULOUS!!Canon MP-E 65?
Canon 100mm f/2.8L, and for the smaller ones an added Raynox 150 or Raynox 250 to get more mag. Lots of post processing too. That being Topaz Sharpen AI, and off to Gimp for cropping and other adjustments.
Aug 12, 2023 11:32:13 #
Thank you for spectacular photos of the inchworm Mark. In the second photo of it I had to look several times, so camouflaged was the inchworm on the branch. Very educational.
Dennis
Dennis
Aug 12, 2023 11:34:28 #
Aug 13, 2023 08:15:51 #
Aug 13, 2023 13:54:56 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
On our drive back from New Jersey we stopped off t... (show quote)
Excellent Photos
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