Category Archives: bugs

  The bombylius looks like something that might be created by a child’s toy maker: fuzzy, large eyes, spindly legs. Yet, it is real and is visiting everyone’s yard right now—albeit a rather small object to descry. Bombylius is a … Continue reading →

  This is about a butterfly-hunting expedition that took place last June. November may seen like an odd time to be writing about butterflies. Yet, it is not uncommon for those who are busy with field work during the warmer … Continue reading →

  One might have thought that any self-respecting insect would have closed down shop for the year, but this is not the case. Yesterday as I wandered around my yard, I saw a dragonfly (a darner), a bumble bee (Bombus … Continue reading →

  Odonata is the order of insects that includes damselflies and dragonflies. Odonata, which as adults live only one to two months, indulge in perhaps the most conspicuous copulation of any insect. September is the time when a casual walk … Continue reading →

  “Look daddy, a butterfly” was all I overheard as a little girl and her father cycled by. She had, indeed, seen a butterfly—a mourning cloak. There are quite a few mourning cloaks around now that August is over. These … Continue reading →

  Darner dragonflies fly rapidly and tirelessly over local lakes, ponds and woodlands as they hunt for other insects to eat. Seemingly always in the air, they are most likely to be photographed in flight. Yet, they do land long … Continue reading →

  I clearly don’t spend enough time in the woods. Otherwise, my first encounter with a stump stabber would not have taken place inside my home. This western giant ichneumon wasp (Megarhyssa nortoni) was looking for some grubs deep inside … Continue reading →