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A Common Spragueia
July 19, 2025 A tiny moth in the Owlet Moth family (Noctuidae). The Common Spragueia (Spragueia leo), sipping some nectar at Apple Mint blossoms (Mentha suaveolens). Tiny? They are generally no bigger than 7/10 inch. Like many moths, they are nocturnal, and attracted to artificial light sources. Some of the host plants that are depended…
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What Was That?
July 18, 2025 Zigging and zagging. Flying back and forth. A long, icy white body, with four interesting wings. It’s a male Common Whitetail Dragonfly (Plathemis lydia), with a body that is approximately 2 inches in length. The female is slightly smaller with a brown body. And those translucent wings? The females’ wings are similar…
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Two Sleepy Orange Butterflies
July 17, 2025 Two Sleepy Orange butterflies (Abaeis nicippe) sitting on some rotting wood out along the road. They’re butterflies with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2 inches, though you will seldom see them with their wings open, unless they are flying. And quick fliers they are, staying close to the ground. Their caterpillars prefer…
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Silvery Checkerspot On Apple Mint
July 16, 2025 Catching a bit of sunlight, a Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) enjoys the nectar of a flower popular with pollinators, Apple Mint (Mentha suaveolens). Despite my love of winter, I must admit, there are so many reasons to enjoy summer. _______________________ If you would like to receive my daily blog posts by email,…
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Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp
July 15, 2025 The largest wasp species in Virginia, the Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp (Sphecius speciosus). Both males and females live about 2 months as adults. They eat tree sap and flower nectar. Males die, not long after mating. The female continues with her duties, taking care of her young. She does this by hunting…
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Hummingbird At Scarlet Beebalm
July 14, 2025 Look closely at the upper right corner and you’ll see a Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) enjoying the nectar of a perfect flower for her, Scarlet Beebalm (Monarda didyma). Perfect because of its brilliant red color, funnel-shaped flowers, and abundant nectar production. Those Scarlet Beebalms, amid Orange Coneflowers (Rudbeckia fulgida). _______________________ If you…
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What A Brightly Colored Bumblebee!
July 13, 2025 A Perplexing Bumblebee (Bombus perplexus). Native to northern North America including across Canada into the northeastern United States as well as Maryland and Virginia. This creature fascinates me because of its wonderful coloring, that rich, warm yellow. That coloring seems it would be perfect as a stuffed Teddy Bear type toy. The…
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Tiger Bee Fly
July 12, 2025 As I write this, I’m thinking of those who really dislike Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa). This is a Tiger Bee Fly (Xenox tigrinus). No need for concern about biting or stinging. They won’t harm you. And if you are looking for a way to control Carpenter Bees, this is a potential native and…
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Transverse Flower Fly
July 11, 2025 A Transverse Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa) enjoying the nectar of Gray-headed Coneflowers (Ratibida pinnata). Measuring in at 0.28″ to 0.47″. Though it looks like a bee, it does not sting. Often found hanging out around flowers, which explains its common name. Flower Flies are energetic fliers, able to beat their wings several…
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I Can Hear You!
July 10, 2025 A male Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olinacea) sitting among legumes of a Redbud (Cercis canadensis). A brilliant red bird. Even a shade brighter than our year-round, red bird, the Cardinal (Cardinalis Cardinalis). Scarlet Tanagers, both male and female, sing a song that sounds like our Robin (Turdus migratorius), although the Scarlet Tanagers sound…