It looks like a Garden Spider is protecting my Purple Beech. There has been a large population of these spiders this summer.
Category Archives: Insects
American Dagger Caterpillar
Sometimes I come across unusual looking insects. The fuzzy-looking American Dagger Moth Caterpillar looks fun to touch, but the hairs can cause skin irritation.
Thistle Weeds
Thistles are attractive to many animals. Swallowtails are frequently seen among thistle patches.
Alien Aphids
Woolly Aphids are a minor nuisance on trees. Soon the Asian Lady Beetles will come in full force and destroy this aphid colony.
Poor Little Milkweed
I came across a Milkweed plant that was full of Milkweed Tussock Moth and Monarch Caterpillars. Milkweed is a common weed around here. Lately I have been mowing around them and generally letting Milkweed live and propagate, to help some of the insects that depend on this toxic plant.
Elderberry Borer
I saw a slow moving insect flying by me and I thought it may be a Peach Borer Moth, so I swatted it out of the air. It ended up being a Elderberry Borer, though this insect does have some similar colors as the Peach Borer Moth.
Monarch Jewelry
I found a Chrysalis that looks to be a Monarch Butterfly.
Iowa Giant Mosquito
I have been coming in contact with some mosquitoes I don’t recall seeing before. Known as the Gallinipper Mosquito, these huge mosquitoes could give quite a bite, but they are slow and noticeable, so easy to kill. I read that they appear when more rain than normally falls, and that is happening for sure this […]
Food For Somebody
Rotted food is not for me, but for somebody:
Yellow Caterpillar
A Yellow Caterpillar crossed paths with me while I had a camera.