29-AUG-2014
Bumble bee (Bombus) on Physostegia
A bumble bee about to enter the flower of the obedient plant (AKA false dragonhead), Physostegia virginiana. The bee is most likely the common eastern bumble bee (Bombus impatiens). A fine shot by Lorne Peterson, taken in the Butterfly Meadow.
White-faced meadowhawk on obedient plant
This vividly colourful image was taken by Lorne Peterson in the Butterfly Meadow. The Obedient Plant (Physostegia) also known as false dragonhead, is a member of the mint family, and very attractive to insects. It is not unusual to see a variety of late summer bees going in and out of the flowers. The plant is native to areas further south of Ottawa, but grows very well here and is a favourite garden plant.
If you look in the lower left corner, you will see a pennsylvania leatherwing (a soldier beetle) whose yellow and black colouration makes them a good wasp mimic. They are abundant at this time of year, particularly on goldenrods.
28-AUG-2014
Butterfly meadow in the late day sun
The sunlight was pouring down on the butterfly meadow, bathing everything in a hazy glow. This particular area is often alive with insects including butterflies, bees, wasps, caterpillars, moths, etc.
Bunch gall on goldenrod
Bunch galls are fairly common on goldenrods, and at first glance they look like a flower at the top of the stem. They're formed by tiny Cecidomyiid midge in the Rhopalomyia genus.
28-AUG-2014
Weevil species (Curculionidae)
On the tip of a goldenrod leaf. One of many tiny weevils that are difficult to identify from photos. Weevils come in all colours, patterns and sizes, some are easy to ID from photos, many are not, except to the experts of course.
Liverwort
This odd looking plant likes damp, shaded places and if it is happy in the location, will grow and spread well. This is an example of a Thallose liverwort. Sandy photographed this one in the old woods.
Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
The old woods is now much more open with the removal of over 50 big ash trees. An abundance of plants has hastned to fill the void, including this non-native relative of the more familiar Solanum dulcamara.
29-AUG-2014
Pennsylvania leatherwings (Chauliognathus pensylvanicus)
These soldier beetles are common and even abundant, especially on goldenrod, which is where Barry photographed this mating pair. Late summer is when they really appear in good numbers.
Amanita mushroom
Sandy found quite the gathering of amanita mushrooms. These are probably the most well-recognized as well as amongst the most beautiful of fungi. They are NOT edible!
29-AUG-2014
Banded tussock caterpillar and asian lady beetles
Quite a busy leaf! Barry found and photographed the banded tussock caterpillar and the ladybeetles on this leaf, which also has a couple of galls, or so it appears.
29-AUG-2014
Stinkbug (Pentatomidae)
Now is the time to find many species of stinkbugs in our area, including at the FWG. The variety is remarkable, and while many are plant feeders (they suck juice out vegetation), others are predatory on other insects.
29-AUG-2014
Locust Borer (Megacyllene robinia)
This boldly marked, large beautiful long-horned beetle is associated exclusively with Black locust, Robinia pseudoacacia, its larval host. The adults, however, are partial to nectaring on goldenrod where they are most often found, as this photo by Barry shows.