Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

This is the last patch from pictures taken over a year ago. After this, there will be pictures from last summer.
One of our larger Caddisflies is Northern Caddisfly (Pycnopsyche sp.). Caddisflies are related to butterflies and moths, and some species look a lot like moths although they will have hairy wings rather than scaley wings.
Caddisfly larvae are sort-of like caterpillars, but they are aquatic and usually carry around a protective home that is made from debris. Larvae from this genus mainly fasten together a bundle of twigs to use as a portable home.
Northern Caddisfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Here are Yellowjackets on wind-fallen apples in the back yard. Photographing them has become sort of a ritual to close out the season. On the left is an Eastern Yellowjacket (Vespula maculifrons), and on the right is a German yellowjacket (Vespula germanica). As is pretty common, the two species soon begin to fight over the apple. These look rather dramatic, but their stingers never come out.
Yellowjackets by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Yellowjackets fighting by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Yellowjackets fighting by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

And finally, here is something slightly amusing. An internet meme had once pointed out that some grasshoppers have a pattern on their sternum that resembles a lion wearing sunglasses. Here are two examples. The one on the left belongs to the Differential Grasshopper (Melanoplus differentialis), and the related Red-legged Grasshopper (Melanoplus femurrubrum) is on the right. Not all grasshoppers have this pattern.
Lion faces by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Thank you for looking!

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Great set Mark. Yellowjackets and I have a hate, hate relationship but the shots are great. I see the lion on the one on the left.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Well done Mark! Great set. Tack sharp. Never saw that pattern on grasshoppers. Very cool!
>i< Doc

JimmyTB

Great set Mark. You teach me something new with each post. Now I'm going to spend next summer catching grasshoppers and looking at their undersides.
The 2 yellowjackets fighting over a huge apple reminded me of my grandson and one of his friends about 10 years old and my 6 year old granddaughter sharing a lava cake. The 2 boys were shoveling it in their mouths as quickly as possible while the girl was just being very ladylike and eating one bite at a time. That was almost 20 years ago but my wife and I still laugh about it

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Fantastic set!!!

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I always love your posts, great pics.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Thank you Mark for submitting incredible photos along with an entertaining and informative narrative to go along with your photos. Well done sir.

Dennis

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Nice set. I'll be looking for that pattern from now on.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Super fantastic series.

tinusbum Loc: east texas

oldies but goodies!