13-SEP-2009
Bumblebee (Bombus fervidus)
There are many species of bumblebee, but not all are easy to ID, so we usually just call them Bombus sp. Diane photographed and identified this one.
13-SEP-2009
Grasshopper on sedum
Diane Lepage photographed this beautiful grasshopper on the sedum in the BYG. It is just resting there, but many insects are attracted to sedum in the late summer and fall, as it provides nectar at a time when other plants are finished blooming.
13-SEP-2009
New England aster
The asters are stunning right now, especially in the Butterfly Meadow. As the goldenrods go to seed, the asters and the knapweed become the focal point for all the insects seeking nectar.
13-SEP-2009
Spittlebug, prob. Meadow spittlebug (Philaneus spumarius)
I was mostly looking for spittlebugs today, hoping to see the females laying eggs into the plant stems. The eggs will overwinter and in spring, out come the nymphs who will immediately begin to chew away at plant stems both for food and to produce the "spittle" we see on plants. The spittle is
actually the excess plant juice excreted out the back end from where it rolls down over the little guy and creates a "nest case" of sorts where it can happily spend its time through several moults until ready to emerge as an adult. I think the spittle "cases" are extraordinarily beautiful. By the way, meadow spittlebugs vary considerably in their colour and pattern.
08-SEP-2009
Japanese beetle
I was at the FWG for an hour or so late afternoon today. There were few birds around, although I must admit, I was more focussed on looking for insects. However, I did notice three hummingbirds, several gray catbirds, lots and lots of chickadees, a few cardinals, cedar waxwings, etc. In other words, the usual! Japanese beetles are still abundant, still mating, still eating... They surely are beautiful!
08-SEP-2009
Staghorn sumac
Signs of fall are increasingly abundant, such as this brilliantly red sumac.
08-SEP-2009
Wild raspberry
And more signs of fall. The wild raspberries are turning beautiful shades of orange, red and yellow. Soon, there will be a vivid display of colour, the last hurrah before winter!
08-SEP-2009
Bur-marigold or beggarticks (Bidens)
These plants have popped up everywhere around the garden this year, no doubt because of the very wet spring and summer. Not only are they all over the place, often in unlikely spots, but they are very tall too (they do grow tall, but some of the ones at FWG are quite large).
02-SEP-2009
Bumblebee (Bombus)
These bees are abundant at the moment, all over the asters, goldenrods, sunflowers, and almost any other flowering plant.
02-SEP-2009
Hover fly (Spilomyia longicornis)
When i first saw this land, I was sure it was a wasp, possibly a yellowjacket.It was only when I got a good look that I realized my mistake. Had it flown by at a fast clip I would have assumed it was a wasp!
02-SEP-2009
Jewelweed leaf, dew, and midge