Here are more pictures from last summer.
First up is a pair of blue-fronted dancer damselflies (
Argia apicalis).
Blue-fronted dancers by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Broad-headed bugs are seed feeders. Their nymphs are really good ant mimics. This nymph is
Alydus eurinus. One thing about ant mimics is they act like ants, which means they scurry around pretty fast. Not easy to photograph.
Broad headed bug nymph by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Broad-headed bug nymph by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
One of our largest wasps is the cicada killer (
Sphecius speciosus - kind of a weird name). They provision their burrow with paralyzed cicadas, and they must be big enough to carry these large insects. This female was busy making her burrow.
Cicada killer by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Cicada killer by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next up is one of our nursery web spiders. This species is
Pisaurina mira.
Nursery web spider by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Finally, a large colony of sawfly larvae on willow. I don’t have a species ID, but it should be genus
Nematus.
Sawfly larvae by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
this year i've only seen a couple Broad-headed bug nymphs,nice shots
I generally prefer arachnids to insects and your spider is a beauty! The sawfly larvae look like they're having a great time dancing to the music
(I guess the tree or plant isn't having a great time, though...)
Those mimics sure have me fooled for ants.
Wonderful images and details of each insect!
Mark, these are really really good.
--Bob
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
Here are more pictures from last summer.
First up is a pair of blue-fronted dancer damselflies (
Argia apicalis).
Blue-fronted dancers by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Broad-headed bugs are seed feeders. Their nymphs are really good ant mimics. This nymph is
Alydus eurinus. One thing about ant mimics is they act like ants, which means they scurry around pretty fast. Not easy to photograph.
Broad headed bug nymph by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Broad-headed bug nymph by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
One of our largest wasps is the cicada killer (
Sphecius speciosus - kind of a weird name). They provision their burrow with paralyzed cicadas, and they must be big enough to carry these large insects. This female was busy making her burrow.
Cicada killer by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Cicada killer by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Next up is one of our nursery web spiders. This species is
Pisaurina mira.
Nursery web spider by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Finally, a large colony of sawfly larvae on willow. I don’t have a species ID, but it should be genus
Nematus.
Sawfly larvae by
Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Here are more pictures from last summer. br First... (
show quote)
I had to look twice at the BHB. The antenna and beak are a giveaway, but still an amazing mimic.
To know Latin as it is used in science is a big help.
A college text will give you basics, a Cassel's New Latin Dictionary for reference, and a few hours of study will be a start.
The Cicada Killer is well named, both in English and Latin.
This strikingly attractive wasp is Specius, from root specere, to see. So the appearance of.
Speciosus, beautiful, splendid, handsome.
So a wasp with a splendid, handsome appearance.
Nicely shot, Mark.
Bill
very nice documentations of critters that share our planet,
the sawfly larva appear to be members of the clean leaf club.........
Excellent photography as usual. I love the gentle colours of the first and the focus on the Sawfly larvae is so good and I expect they were all moving at the time.
Fantastic set Mark. Hey, congratulations on the photo in "Argia." Well done my friend. Stay well and safe.
-Doc
Arachnids reign. Very nice set but you really learn to count
I am in awe of your skills with the camera and your ability to find such interesting subjects.
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