Some damsels and other critters
Nov 9, 2019 08:30:50 #
All of these come from a new park that I was visiting last summer, and most from a single very good day in it.
In a marsh in this park I came across a striking caterpillar. This is the larva of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton).
Baltimore checkerspot butterfly caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Sticking for a time with Lepidopterans, this is of course a viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus), which are very good mimics of monarch butterflies. Time was it had been believed that viceroys mimic monarchs in a case of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species is made to resemble a protected species. It is now known that both species are toxic to predators, and that they mimic each other. This form of mimicry is called Müllerian mimicry.
Viceroy butterfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
In the same marsh were many sawfly larvae which resemble members of the genus Dolerus that feed on horsetails. These are wasp larvae that strongly resemble caterpillars. But no true caterpillar has that many pro-legs!
Sawfly larva by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next are some pictures of a bee-like robber fly. Robber flies are swift predators of other insects, as can be seen here, and it is worthwhile to keep an eye on them since one may get to see a predatory attack. I have seen that a few times, and its always pretty impressive. When a bee-like robber fly is perched in the open, they may be seen to jerkily swivel their head up and down and from side to side. An unusual thing for a fly, but these can do it! I have the impression that this means they are actively looking for something to ambush. This one was doing just that (swiveling its head around a lot), and it did dash off a couple times to go after a passing fly but it was not successful while I was watching. When I later checked back on it, it had secured a fly for a meal. Although I am often reluctant to ID them to species, it is a good match to Laphria sacrator.
Robber fly with prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Robber fly with prey by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The male damselfly in the next picture is one of the “bluet” damsels. Many of these are difficult to tell apart, but this one looks like the Northern bluet (Enallagma annexum), although there are a couple other very similar species (waves hopefully to Tony).
Northern bluet damselfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Finally, here are some spreadwing damselflies that I don’t think I had photographed before. These are called amber-winged spreadwings (Lestes eurinis), and they were very common in the woods and marshes of that new park mentioned above. The first two pictures are of males, and I think you can see the one in the second picture has amber-tinted wings. The last picture is of an equally lovely female.
Amber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Amber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Amber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
In a marsh in this park I came across a striking caterpillar. This is the larva of the Baltimore checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas phaeton).
Baltimore checkerspot butterfly caterpillar by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrSticking for a time with Lepidopterans, this is of course a viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus), which are very good mimics of monarch butterflies. Time was it had been believed that viceroys mimic monarchs in a case of Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species is made to resemble a protected species. It is now known that both species are toxic to predators, and that they mimic each other. This form of mimicry is called Müllerian mimicry.
Viceroy butterfly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrIn the same marsh were many sawfly larvae which resemble members of the genus Dolerus that feed on horsetails. These are wasp larvae that strongly resemble caterpillars. But no true caterpillar has that many pro-legs!
Sawfly larva by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNext are some pictures of a bee-like robber fly. Robber flies are swift predators of other insects, as can be seen here, and it is worthwhile to keep an eye on them since one may get to see a predatory attack. I have seen that a few times, and its always pretty impressive. When a bee-like robber fly is perched in the open, they may be seen to jerkily swivel their head up and down and from side to side. An unusual thing for a fly, but these can do it! I have the impression that this means they are actively looking for something to ambush. This one was doing just that (swiveling its head around a lot), and it did dash off a couple times to go after a passing fly but it was not successful while I was watching. When I later checked back on it, it had secured a fly for a meal. Although I am often reluctant to ID them to species, it is a good match to Laphria sacrator.
Robber fly with prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrRobber fly with prey by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrThe male damselfly in the next picture is one of the “bluet” damsels. Many of these are difficult to tell apart, but this one looks like the Northern bluet (Enallagma annexum), although there are a couple other very similar species (waves hopefully to Tony).
Northern bluet damselfly by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrFinally, here are some spreadwing damselflies that I don’t think I had photographed before. These are called amber-winged spreadwings (Lestes eurinis), and they were very common in the woods and marshes of that new park mentioned above. The first two pictures are of males, and I think you can see the one in the second picture has amber-tinted wings. The last picture is of an equally lovely female.
Amber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAmber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrAmber-winged spreadwing by Mark Sturtevant, on FlickrNov 9, 2019 09:26:35 #
Fantastic series, Mark and many thanks for all the pertinent information!
Nov 9, 2019 09:40:12 #
Nov 9, 2019 09:47:02 #
Nov 9, 2019 12:04:11 #
Nov 9, 2019 14:55:59 #
Your photographic talents show through very well in these beautiful images. You did well to scout out such useful sites such as this one and the Magic Field.
Nov 10, 2019 07:37:39 #
Nov 10, 2019 09:48:54 #
A fantastic set of very sharp photos Mark. Fantastic shot that I've come to expect from you. You certainly don't need me to ID your Odes. The Boreal Bluet (Enallagma borreale), the Northern Bluet (Enallagma cyathigerum) and the Vernal Bluet (Enallagma cyathigerum vernale)(A closely related subspecies) need to be identified by their cerci in the hand with a loop or under a microscope. That being said, from enlarging he terminal appendages of your photo in Flickr I would say, fairly certainly, that you are correct in your identification of a Northern. Fine work my friend.
-Doc
-Doc
Nov 10, 2019 10:58:26 #
Thanks everybody!
And extra thank to you, doc. There is this series of bluets, to which I would add the familiar bluet, that give me special difficulty.
And extra thank to you, doc. There is this series of bluets, to which I would add the familiar bluet, that give me special difficulty.
Nov 10, 2019 11:09:02 #
Nov 10, 2019 11:55:16 #
Nov 10, 2019 14:04:08 #
Nov 10, 2019 17:08:29 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
All of these come from a new park that I was visit... (show quote)
Gorgeous photos Mark!
Nov 10, 2019 21:05:32 #
Nov 10, 2019 21:22:49 #
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