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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Summer Critters in the Healthy Habitat

While Alex was at camp at our co-op 2 weeks ago, I walked around and took some photos of the summer critters in our Healthy Habitat.
Gulf Fritilary on Turk's Cap - we also found some caterpillars on a passion vine, but my camera's battery was dying
a cool grub! you can see its hairs and spiracles. i also saw 6 legs. and, this is his tail end...
he proved it to me

a female robber fly - you can tell it's a she by her ovipositor that looks like a stineger

this was very tiny, but i'm pretty sure it is some kind of wasp

a beautiful caterpillar i found on the porch ceiling in the front yard - i just used "what's that bug?" to identify this as a White Marked Tussock Moth.
Here is a description by bug guide: “Caterpillars are recognized by the bright red head and broad black stripe along the back flanked by a yellow stripe each side. Two red glands on sixth and seventh abdominal segments, and four tufts of hairs (which may be white, gray or yellowish) on the first four abdominal segments are common to several members of the genus. CAUTION: Contact with hairs may cause an allergic reaction."

9 comments:

  1. Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! Love the Tussock Moth! :D

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  2. We found a tussock moth caterpillar last year and had to look it up also. Weirdly cool, isn't it?

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  3. The Gulf Fritillary is one of my favorite butterflies! We seldom see them anymore though since we've moved to the country...I don't know what that't all about, but I miss them :-).
    Blessings, Julie

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  4. As always, beautiful photos, Dana, and such interesting finds.

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  5. Beautiful finds! Love the grub. Such great detail in the picture. Your post reminds me that it's been awhile since we last hunted for insects in our yard.

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  6. You sure have a good watchful eye and a very good camera!
    Great pictures. That last caterpillar looks very weird. I have never seen it in nature or books.
    Underneath my name you can read our story of our butterfly.

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  7. Wow! These pictures are incredible! I know you gave me tips but I can't get that button to work when I set it.
    Blessings,
    Laurie

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  8. Looks like you are having a great summer!
    I gave you an award:

    http://canadianhomelearning.blogspot.com/2010/07/blog-with-substance-award-x2.html

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  9. Love the caterpillar on the porch ceiling. I love to see the intricate details of all God's creations. You do a great job of capturing the beauty of all He created.

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