26-JUN-2012
Yellow warbler
This pretty warbler was quite agitated when I walked by a shrub near the old field. Obviously a nest nearby. I would imagine there are young in the nest, soon to fledge.
26-JUN-2012
Banded hairstreak (Satyrium calynus)
There were two of these pretty hairstreaks around today. This one near the new woods, on a milkweed, and another in the ash woods. They are one of the commonest hairstreaks and at the FWG we usually see several of these and several striped hairstreaks too.
26-JUN-2012
Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan)
Very similar, superficially, to the more common European skipper, but this one is larger and more yellowish-orange rather than deep orange. It was not until about 1998 that this species was found in the Ottawa region, since when it has spread throughout, although still not as common as many of the other skippers. I saw this species at FWG a few years ago, but not since.
26-JUN-2012
Delaware skipper (Anatrytone logan)
Another view of the delaware skipper, this time with its wings open, showing it is a male.
25-JUN-2012
Monarch caterpillar
A fat and well grown monarch caterpillar, always a real pleasure to find at FWG. Sandy reported one from a different location in the garden, so we have at least two.
26-JUN-2012
Monarch nectaring on common milkweed
26-JUN-2012
Spittlebug with mites
This poor little creature is riddled with parasitic mites which will eventually kill it. It was on a pearly everlasting plant in the old field area, and could barely move.
25-JUN-2012
Large lace-border (Scopula limboundata)
A common moth in the Geometridae family that can often be found sitting on vegetation in daylight hours. This was in the Backyard Garden.
25-JUN-2012
White-marked tussock (Orgyia leucostigma)
Along with the two treehopper species on the nannyberry, there was this pretty tussock moth caterpillar. As with so many of the brightly coloured caterpillars, this turns into a rather nondescript moth.
25-JUN-2012
Treehopper (Telamona sp.)
This is one of our larger treehoppers, about twice the size and much sturdier than the little enchenopa treehoppers it was sharing the nannyberry shrub with.
25-JUN-2012
Soldier fly (Hederodiscus)
Clinging to a nannyberry leaf for dear life in the gusty winds of today! This is a small fly in the Stratiomyidae family is a dazzling green with a pretty black pattern on the abdomen, but you need to see it with the wings open for that. Interestingly, the larvae of most of the soldier flies are aquatic.
Hover fly (Toxomerus marginatus)
A tiny fly on ox-eye daisy. This is one of two Toxomerus species very common in the area. Their larvae often can be found eating aphids. Look carefully for a tiny flat little caterpillar like creature moving amongst the aphids.