A Hackberry Emperor (Asterocampa celtis), yes brown, but a butterfly not a moth.
The adult Hackberry Emperor feeds on sap, scat, decaying animals, old fruit, and the nectar of Hackberry flowers.
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Sometimes my paintings are not serious. Imagine 3 walls of a 2 car garage with this design.
Yellow Undulating Stripe in Garage.
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An intriguing spider that creates a zigzag design through the center of its circular web, the Yellow Garden Spider (Argiope aurantia). Not only intriguing but also impressive in size. The male is smaller, but the female can measure 3 inches in total length.
They capture and consume bees and butterflies, but also aphids, flies, grasshoppers, and mosquitoes.
These spiders have a venom which does not affect humans (unless there is an allergy). Keep in mind, if you handle a spider it may bite. Better be safe and not disturb one if you see it. You’ll both be happier.
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A glimpse of things to come.
Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida). Some of them. I notice their leaves changing color in late June/early July. Most people don’t pick up on it simply because they’re not expecting it. It’s very subtle. I’ve noticed it for several years now and watch for it. Minute changes from pure green to green with just a hint of red, slowly, slowly. Next year watch for it.
And now some of the Flowering Dogwood trees are becoming brilliant red. Those early ones.
A glimpse of things to come.
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Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)
Horsenettle generally blooms during a period of 6 weeks, anytime from May to October. Those blooms can be white or pale purple, with a 5 pointed star shape. Deep yellow anthers, which are the male part of the flower that produces pollen, are easy to see at the center of the blossom.
Leaves and stems are covered with hairs and very sharp spines.
After pollination the plant produces berries that have a strong resemblance to cherry tomatoes. They start out green and grow to be 1/2 inch across, ripening to a rich yellow.
Keep in mind, though the berries look like cherry tomatoes, ALL PARTS OF THIS PLANT ARE POISONOUS.
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A female Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) at the feeder.
On rare occasions the camera’s shutter clicks at just the perfect moment.
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The Maximilian Sunflower (Helianthus maximiliani). It seems White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) eat nearly anything but they will at least think twice before chomping down on this plant which has leaves and stems that are densely covered in coarse hairs.
It can be found in central and eastern North America, and grows from 3 to 10 feet tall with gray-green foliage. The nectar and pollen of these flowers attract a variety of butterflies, beetles and bees. And birds thoroughly enjoy the seeds.
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A Locust Borer (Megacyllene robiniae), enjoying its favorite meal of the pollen and nectar of Goldenrod (Solidago). Its length is about 3/4 in long. With its black coloring and yellow stripes it can easily be mistaken for a Yellowjacket or other wasp or hornet.
The Locust Borer is a species of Longhorned Beetle. It is found in eastern North America where it is a pest of Black Locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). The larvae weakens Locust trees by tunneling into the trunk or branches.
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Unicorn Caterpillar (Coelodasys unicornis)
Caterpillars are amazing creatures that take on all sorts of shapes and colors. This one, of course, takes its name because of its unique shape.
They’re not particular about what they eat, munching on the leaves of a variety of woody ornamental plants such as apple, cherry, and rose.
The Unicorn Caterpillar becomes a dark gray and brown moth.
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Northern Pearly-eye (Enodia anthedon) with a wingspan of 1.5 to 2.5 inches. These butterflies feed on fungi, carrion, dung, and sap from Willows, Poplars and Birches.
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