Such a great time of the year when the garden is full of bees and butterflies and flowers are in full bloom. I refuse to think of how soon, the leaves will begin to fall, the flowers fade and the insects die or leave. In the meantime enjoy the beauty of summer!
Category: Insects
Well, Hello There…
As I was cutting flowers, I ran across this big fellow. A quick internet search revealed it is a common garden spider called the Black and Yellow Argiope ( Argiope aurantia). They catch large insects such as grasshoppers and butterflies in their web. I decided I could pass on this flower and leave Mr. Spider…
Hummingbird Moths this Summer
The hummingbird moths were plentiful this summer, although they are disappearing now that the cooler weather is approaching. Here is one visiting a day lily that was actually still for a few moments.
Tiger Swallowtail – Male and Female
The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail butterfly(Papilio glaucus) is one of the most common and easily identified butterflies. With the bright yellow color and distinctive stripes, it even has an easy-to-remember name. This is also a butterfly where it is easy to determine the male and female. The female has a row of blue on the open…
Question Mark
Another butterfly taking advantage of the butterfly bush — the Question Mark butterfly seen earlier this summer.
Skipper
Silver-spotted Skipper, a very common small brown butterfly, stopping by the butterfly bush. More information about the silver-spotted skipper can be found at this link.
First Monarch
The Monarch butterflies are beginning to emerge. This is the first one I have seen this summer but I look forward to more butterflies stopping by in August.
Spice Bush Swallowtail
Spice Bush Swallowtail stopping by the butterfly bush.
Hummingbird Moth
The hummingbird moth, so named because of its resemblance to a hummingbird, is a moth that is constantly on the move with wings that beat very fast. It is hard to get a clear picture because of the moving wings and constant motion of the moth but it is fun to watch as it moves…
Eight Spots
Eight spotted forester moth (Species Alypia octomaculata) stopping by a Shasta daisy
Taking a Sip
Butterfly stopping by on a cone flower in the garden. I have not learned to identify butterflies, yet, other than the most common. Anyone know what this one is? Or is it a moth? Thanks for any help.
Nature and Life Notes 