21-JUL-2016
Great black digger wasp (Sphex pensylvanicus)
A very large wasp in the Sphecidae family (the thread-waisted wasps). This one is on mountain mint, a plant that attracts a huge number of insects. Every summer, about mid-July onward for some weeks, this species appears, often seen at the same time as Sphex ichneumoneus, the Golden Digger Wasp.
15-JUL-2016
Primrose moths (Schinia florida), #11164
15-JUL-2016
Treehopper (Telamona concava)
A really lovely treehopper that appears to have lichens on it. It makes great camouflage, particularly when on a lichen-covered twig, which this was not, though there were a few lichens on other twigs and branches. On a lichen encrusted surface, this hopper would essentially disappear.
15-JUL-2016
Ambush bug (Phymata)
The ambush bugs started appearing a few weeks back, the immatures first, and now the adults.
15-JUL-2016
leaf mines on white snakeroot
Quite possibly made by an Agromyzidae fly, Liriomyza eupatoriella. Leaf mines can be made by the larvae of moths, beetles, flies... the variety is endless.
15-JUL-2016
Summer azure (Celastrina neglecta)
One of only a few butterfies found this morning at the garden. The others were cabbage whites and clouded sulphurs. This one is nectaring on a canada thistle.
15-JUL-2016
Bald-faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata)
These are the insects responsible for some of the large papery wasp nests you see (there are other species that build such nests in our area). This one is scraping wood fibres off the old boards of the Insect Hotel, which will be used to make pulp to create the nest.
15-JUL-2016
Old woods
Looking northward down the trail through the old woods section of the wildlife garden, you wouldn't think that just a few years ago this was an open space, seemingly devastated by the removal of over 50 mature ash trees which had been attacked and largely killed by the emerald ash borer. Now, thanks to a combination of volunteer work and nature's determination to fill in gaps, this is a densely flourishing site, and dare I say, more interesting than it was before the trees were cut.
15-JUL-2016
Leafcutter bee (Megachilid)
Megachilids are common bees in this area. The genus has a number of species, and 8 have been identified at the garden by Sophie Cardinal of AAFC.
15-JUL-2016
Common red soldier beetle (Rhagonycha fulva)
An abundant soldeier beetle (Cantharidae) at this time of year, found on a variety of plants where they look for tiny insects to feed on; this one is on canada thistle. It is native to Eurasia but was introduced to the new world long, long ago, though whether deliberately or accidentally, I have no idea.
15-JUL-2016
Hover fly (Toxomerus geminatus), male
A tiny member of the Syrphidae family, these are also often called flower flies for the obvious reason that they are frequently seen feeding on flowers. They are also considered for this reason to be good pollinators.
15-JUL-2016
Musk mallow (Malva moschata)
This is a non-native species, a garden escape that is now common in many areas, especially here at the Fletcher garden. It attracts insects, however...