I've only seen a few Monarch butterflies this year. This one was passing through our garden a few days ago.
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Showing posts with label insect. Show all posts
Showing posts with label insect. Show all posts
Thursday, October 31, 2013
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Linden Looper (Erannis tiliaria - 6665)
Linden Looper (Erannis tiliaria - 6665)
One of the few moth species I've been seeing on recent cool fall evenings. Some evenings these fall and winter moths were abundant, with a dozen or more around our porch light. All the Linden Loopers one normally sees are males. Females are wingless.
From BugGuide:
Range: Alberta to Nova Scotia, south to Missouri, Georgia, Utah and Texas.
Food: Hosts include basswood, apple, ash, beech, birch, elm, maple, oak, poplar, Prunus and Ribes.
Photo of female.
Photo of caterpillar.
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar (Euptoieta claudia)
Variegated Fritillary Caterpillar (Euptoieta claudia)
Source: BugGuide:
Range: North America and southern South America. Permanent resident in south. Annually spreads and colonizes northwards usaully to southern Canada.
Habitat: Any open sunny area particularly fields and grasslands with flowers present. Caterpillars can often be found on Pansies, Violets, Flax, and Passion Vines in flower gardens. (This particular caterpillar was found on our basement door. Moved to a nearby log for photographing.)
Life Cycle: Multiple generations per year (up to two or three in north, and four or more overlapping broods in south).
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Black-barred Brown Moth (Plagiomimicus pityochromus - 9754)
Black-barred Brown (Plagiomimicus pityochromus - 9754)
From BugGuide:
Range: Eastern United States and southern Ontario.
Season: Adults fly from July to September.
Food: Larvae feed on Giant Ragweed (Ambrosia trifida).
See also: Moth Photographers Group
Friday, November 09, 2012
Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina - 11177)
Goldenrod Flower Moth (Schinia nundina - 11177)
From BugGuide:
Range: Found east of a line from Arizona to Minnesota and Nova Scotia.
Season: Most records are July through October.
See also: Moth Photographers Group
Sunday, November 04, 2012
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Multicolored Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis)
Warm fall temperatures are bringing out many of these Asian invaders.
For more details, please see BugGuide.
Saturday, June 09, 2012
Longhorned Beetle (Purpuricenus humeralis)
Habitat: Forests in eastern North America.
Food: Larva bore into dead branches of various hardwoods.
Source: BugGuide.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Filigreed Chimoptesis (Chimoptesis pennsylvaniana - 3273)
Filigreed Chimoptesis
(Chimoptesis pennsylvaniana - 3273)
Identification: Adult: forewing dark gray to blackish with white tri-lobed strip along inner margin, sometimes tinted with green; black V-shaped mark at anal angle; several small white spots along costa; hindwing gray with dark double terminal line and wide fringe.
Range: Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and at least Indiana.
Season: Adults fly in March and April in the northeast; perhaps earlier and later in the southeast.
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(Chimoptesis pennsylvaniana - 3273)
Identification: Adult: forewing dark gray to blackish with white tri-lobed strip along inner margin, sometimes tinted with green; black V-shaped mark at anal angle; several small white spots along costa; hindwing gray with dark double terminal line and wide fringe.
Range: Pennsylvania and Massachusetts to Florida, west to Texas and at least Indiana.
Season: Adults fly in March and April in the northeast; perhaps earlier and later in the southeast.
Links:
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Chosen Sallow Moth (Psaphida electilis - 10012)
Chosen Sallow Moth
(Psaphida electilis - 10012)
Identification: The coloration of this species shows geographical variation: northern specimens tend to have dark gray forewings with contrasting reddish-brown markings; southern specimens are usually paler gray and less contrasting overall, with little or no brown in the forewings. (Dean Edwards)
Range: Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to Texas and Wisconsin.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Season: Adults fly in April and May. Larvae present from mid to late spring.
Food: larvae feed on leaves of hickory and walnut.
Life Cycle: One generation per year; eggs are laid on buds of hostplant; overwinters as a pupa in soil, sometimes for more than a single year.
BugGuide
MPG
(Psaphida electilis - 10012)
Identification: The coloration of this species shows geographical variation: northern specimens tend to have dark gray forewings with contrasting reddish-brown markings; southern specimens are usually paler gray and less contrasting overall, with little or no brown in the forewings. (Dean Edwards)
Range: Quebec and Ontario to Florida, west to Texas and Wisconsin.
Habitat: Deciduous woodlands; adults are nocturnal and come to light.
Season: Adults fly in April and May. Larvae present from mid to late spring.
Food: larvae feed on leaves of hickory and walnut.
Life Cycle: One generation per year; eggs are laid on buds of hostplant; overwinters as a pupa in soil, sometimes for more than a single year.
BugGuide
MPG
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Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Ipsilon Dart (Agrotis ipsilon - 10663)
Ipsilon Dart
(Agrotis ipsilon - 10663)
This moth -- like many, actually, -- is not a friend of gardeners. Dart moths are also known as cutworm moths. Likewise, the Ipsilon Dart's larva is also known as a Black or Greasy Cutworm.
Range: Throughout most of North America except the Arctic.
Habitat: Croplands, fields, gardens.
Food: Larvae feed on many cultivated plants (e.g. clover, corn, lettuce, potatoes, tobacco) plus grasses.
This is a female based upon her simple antennae. She is feeding on moth bait.
(Agrotis ipsilon - 10663)
This moth -- like many, actually, -- is not a friend of gardeners. Dart moths are also known as cutworm moths. Likewise, the Ipsilon Dart's larva is also known as a Black or Greasy Cutworm.
Range: Throughout most of North America except the Arctic.
Habitat: Croplands, fields, gardens.
Food: Larvae feed on many cultivated plants (e.g. clover, corn, lettuce, potatoes, tobacco) plus grasses.
This is a female based upon her simple antennae. She is feeding on moth bait.
Links:
BugGuide
Moth Photographers Group
University of Florida Featured Creature
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Saturday, January 14, 2012
Armyworm Moth (Mythimna unipuncta - 10438)
Armyworm Moth
(Mythimna unipuncta - 10438)
Identification: Forewing tan, often tinged with orange and lightly speckled with black. A couple of more orange spots on each wing is typical. Ditto for a couple of small white dots with a white line passing through them.
Habitat: Common to abundant throughout North American except for the Arctic. Also found in other locations throughout the world.
Food: Larvae are generalist feeders on many species of plants: alfalfa, corn and other grains, grasses, vegetables, many weeds and other wild plants, leaves of fruit trees and ornamentals.
Life Cycle: Two or three generations per year; overwinters as either a pupa or partially-grown larva which pupates in the spring.
Remarks: Moth was photographed on moth bait, a mixture that's mostly brown sugar with enough beer to liquify and a tablespoon of molasses. It supposedly mimics tree sap upon which many moths feed.
To see photos of this moth's complete life cycle including caterpillar, pupa and adult moth, please see Ilona Loser's excellent post on BugGuide.
(Mythimna unipuncta - 10438)
Identification: Forewing tan, often tinged with orange and lightly speckled with black. A couple of more orange spots on each wing is typical. Ditto for a couple of small white dots with a white line passing through them.
Habitat: Common to abundant throughout North American except for the Arctic. Also found in other locations throughout the world.
Food: Larvae are generalist feeders on many species of plants: alfalfa, corn and other grains, grasses, vegetables, many weeds and other wild plants, leaves of fruit trees and ornamentals.
Life Cycle: Two or three generations per year; overwinters as either a pupa or partially-grown larva which pupates in the spring.
Remarks: Moth was photographed on moth bait, a mixture that's mostly brown sugar with enough beer to liquify and a tablespoon of molasses. It supposedly mimics tree sap upon which many moths feed.
To see photos of this moth's complete life cycle including caterpillar, pupa and adult moth, please see Ilona Loser's excellent post on BugGuide.
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Thursday, December 15, 2011
Leaf-footed Bug (Leptoglossus clypealis)
Leaf-footed Bug
Leptoglossus clypealis
Identification: The wavy white line across the back strongly suggests this species. The spine extending forwards from the tip of the nose (tylus) confirms species ID.
Range: Based on the range map on BugGuide, Leptoglossus clypealis can be found throughout most of North America. However, it often occurs in large numbers in the Southwest where is is considered a pest species in pistacio and almond orchards because it feeds on the nuts. My limited records indicate L. clypealis is usually seen in the Ozarks during late fall and early winter.
Leptoglossus clypealis
Identification: The wavy white line across the back strongly suggests this species. The spine extending forwards from the tip of the nose (tylus) confirms species ID.
Range: Based on the range map on BugGuide, Leptoglossus clypealis can be found throughout most of North America. However, it often occurs in large numbers in the Southwest where is is considered a pest species in pistacio and almond orchards because it feeds on the nuts. My limited records indicate L. clypealis is usually seen in the Ozarks during late fall and early winter.
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Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Linden Looper Moth (Erannis tiliaria - 6665)
Linden Looper Moth
Erannis tiliaria - 6665
Typically a "winter moth", and Winter Moth is this species other common name.
Host plants are numerous, including Hosts include basswood, apple, ash, beech, birch, elm, maple, oak, poplar.
This is a male moth; females are wingless.
Source: BugGuide
Erannis tiliaria - 6665
Typically a "winter moth", and Winter Moth is this species other common name.
Host plants are numerous, including Hosts include basswood, apple, ash, beech, birch, elm, maple, oak, poplar.
This is a male moth; females are wingless.
Source: BugGuide
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Thursday, November 10, 2011
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma americanum - 7701)
Eastern Tent Caterpillar Moth (Male)
(Malacosoma americanum - 7701)
Range: Eastern and central US to the Rockies and Canada from Nova Scotia to Alberta.
Food: Larvae feed on leaves of many trees and shrubs but particularly members of the rose family such as apple, cherry, and crabapple.
Life Cycle: In the fall, a female lays an eggs mass on a twig where it overwinters. The larvae hatch in the spring. They construct a tent of webbing in which the feed and grow. Eventually, the caterpillars will disburse and pupate.
(Note: Photo taken on 6/1/11)
Source: BugGuide
(Malacosoma americanum - 7701)
Range: Eastern and central US to the Rockies and Canada from Nova Scotia to Alberta.
Food: Larvae feed on leaves of many trees and shrubs but particularly members of the rose family such as apple, cherry, and crabapple.
Life Cycle: In the fall, a female lays an eggs mass on a twig where it overwinters. The larvae hatch in the spring. They construct a tent of webbing in which the feed and grow. Eventually, the caterpillars will disburse and pupate.
(Note: Photo taken on 6/1/11)
Source: BugGuide
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Monday, November 07, 2011
Beggar Moth (Eubaphe mendica - 7440)
Beggar Moth
(Eubaphe mendica - 7440)
Flight: May-September; three broods.
Caterpillar Hosts: Maples and violets.
Range: Common throughout eastern North America.
(from BAMONA)
(Eubaphe mendica - 7440)
Flight: May-September; three broods.
Caterpillar Hosts: Maples and violets.
Range: Common throughout eastern North America.
(from BAMONA)
See also:
BugGuide
Moth Photographers Group
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Friday, October 21, 2011
Large Tolype Moth (Tolype velleda – 7670)
Large Tolype Moth
Tolype velleda – 7670
Range: Nova Scotia to central Florida, west to Texas, north to Ontario.
Life cycle: Only one generation per year. Usually a late summer or fall species.
Food: Larvae feed on leaves of a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs.
Tolype velleda – 7670
Range: Nova Scotia to central Florida, west to Texas, north to Ontario.
Life cycle: Only one generation per year. Usually a late summer or fall species.
Food: Larvae feed on leaves of a variety of broadleaf trees and shrubs.
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Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Orange Sulphur - female (Colias eurytheme)
Orange Sulphur (female)
Colias eurytheme
Identification: Female yellow or white with irregular black border surrounding light spots. Underside hindwing spot silver with 2 concentric dark rings, and a spot above it.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from many kinds of flowers including dandelion, milkweeds, goldenrods, and asters.
Habitat: A wide variety of open sites, especially clover and alfalfa fields, mowed fields, vacant lots, meadows, road edges.
Range: Southern Canada to central Mexico, coast to coast in the United States except for the Florida peninsula. Comments: One of the most widespread and common butterflies in North America.
Source: BAMONA
Colias eurytheme
Identification: Female yellow or white with irregular black border surrounding light spots. Underside hindwing spot silver with 2 concentric dark rings, and a spot above it.
Caterpillar Hosts: Plants in the pea family (Fabaceae).
Adult Food: Nectar from many kinds of flowers including dandelion, milkweeds, goldenrods, and asters.
Habitat: A wide variety of open sites, especially clover and alfalfa fields, mowed fields, vacant lots, meadows, road edges.
Range: Southern Canada to central Mexico, coast to coast in the United States except for the Florida peninsula. Comments: One of the most widespread and common butterflies in North America.
Source: BAMONA
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Monday, October 17, 2011
Moth (Epipagis huronalis - 5147)
Identification: The antemedial (AM) line of the hindwing is broken and does not extend all the way across the wing.
Range: North Carolina to Florida to Texas.
5148 - Epipagis disparilis which has a heavy and continuous antemedial line on the hind wing.
Range: North Carolina to Florida to Texas.
5148 - Epipagis disparilis which has a heavy and continuous antemedial line on the hind wing.
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Friday, October 14, 2011
Black-and-yellow Lichen Moth (Lycomorpha pholus - #8087)
Range: Nova Scotia to North Carolina, west to South Dakota and Texas.
Life History: A day-flier, often seen on flowers such as goldenrod. May take several years to develop, especially in the north. Hairy cocoons are attached to rocks or tree trunks near the former food source.
Flight: July-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Lichens.
Life History: A day-flier, often seen on flowers such as goldenrod. May take several years to develop, especially in the north. Hairy cocoons are attached to rocks or tree trunks near the former food source.
Flight: July-September.
Caterpillar Hosts: Lichens.
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Sunday, June 19, 2011
Io Moth (Automeris io) - Male
A very common moth throughout eastern North America and north to southern Canada. They range west to southern Arizona and south to Central America, at least as far as Costa Rica. Larvae feed on a wide variety of host plants -- over 100 recorded plant genera in North America -- , including such diverse plants as azaleas, blackberry, clover, cotton, current, hackberry, hibiscus, mesquite, palms, rear, redbud, roses and willows. (University of Florida "Featured Creature")
Prominent eye spots on hind wings are distinctive and found on both males and females. Males are usually yellow while females are a rusty red color.
(Previous post includes photos of female, eggs and caterpillars.)
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