Post your insects

[orlcam88]

I'm Not An Expert, But I Believe These Are Caterpillars. If They Are, Please Don't Kill Them. they 're Already A Dying Breed. There's Hardly Any Left In My parts.
Part

I have these little critters infesting my flower garden. They are hard to get rid of, but stay in place for photos. And, if someone knows what they are, that would be helpful.

[SpiderBob]

I'm Not An Expert, But I Believe These Are Caterpillars. If They Are, Please Don't Kill Them. they 're Already A Dying Breed. There's Hardly Any Left In My parts.
Part

No, I have not poisoned them as I have pets and have to endure their stay. Hopefully, they will become butterflies where I can photograph them. I figured the plants and flowers will grow again another time.

[Geoff F]

Not all caterpillars grow into butterflies; many become moths. There are far more species of moths than butterflies. But I can't comment on that particular species of caterpillar.

A few caterpillar species can be serious pests of food crops but the majority do little damage.

[Cantab]

Not all caterpillars grow into butterflies; many become moths. There are far more species of moths than butterflies. But I can't comment on that particular species of caterpillar.

A few caterpillar species can be serious pests of food crops but the majority do little damage.

This almost looks like what is called up here a tent caterpillar. I have no idea off hand what type of moth they develop into. If there are still some around, I'll try to post a photo of one. They grow tents in fruit trees and other trees and can be a major horticultural nuisance. The tents have masses of caterpillars in and around them. The caterpillars do a very efficient job of eating foliage.

[SpiderBob]

Was just at the nursery, they tell me it's a moth.

[Letrow]

I don't like having them in the house, but outside on a flower I love the colours of these flies



It might have been said in this thread but it is amazing that these flies use the tiniest opening to get into your house and then can't seem to understand that a wide open door or window will allow them to exit the house.

[orlcam88]

Is the lack of insects affecting all areas of the world? We've had more rain than usual this year and much more than last year. When it rains, it's a downpour. In April we had barely any rain but May and June it's been a weekly occurrance, sometimes twice a week. My plants that I planted that should had flowered in May to attract butterflies, bees etc are just popping up. No crickets are heard, I just saw 1 lightning bug. No cicadas (the usual ones). I have a few bees but not as much as I would like. That's probably related to the late flowering, but we do have other flowers we bought at the garden store. The only insects that I can see not in decline in my area, are mosquitoes and ants. I do see some moths but If I remember correctly, they are late arrivals here anyway.

I read on the internet that the Monarch butterflies are on the decline (which was why I posted my previous comment about saving the caterpillar). There was a 59% drop in 2012-2013 migration. There was a site that was giving away milkweed seeds to help them as they'll only reproduce where there's milkweed. Unfortunately for me and great for the Monarch, they ran out of seeds!

So, are anyone outside of New York, USA, having these issues?

[Geoff F]

Checking my 'moth window' (overlooking my garden) last night I found a couple of tiny Orange Ladybirds (Halyzia 16-guttata). About 4 mm overall.



Kept them in a cool tube until I could positively identify and photograph them today.

Cool and misty today but when I was considering a suitable angle for a thistle photo this Bombus pratorum appeared. Didn't get a perfect angle before it flew off, but this shot is sufficient for a positive identification.

[Suzan J]

A Bee or Not a Bee?

Does anyone know what type of insect this is? He was among some apple blossoms I was trying to photograph. At first, I thought it was some type of bee, but he doesn't seem to resemble any of bees that I usually see.


DSC_0060 by Soo J, on Flickr

[Geoff F]

Probably is a bee of some sort, Suzan.

Check on the original and zoom in to see if there is an 'elbow joint' in the antennae.

A few flies are bee mimics but they lack the joint and have solid antennae.

Bees have four wings, in two pairs, but this can be difficult to see when the wings are folded.

Maybe one of the Andrena bee species, but difficult to be certain from that angle and there are a large number of bee species.

[Geoff F]

Not much insect life visible during my last visit to the woods on a very drab day. I did disturb a grass snake but couldn't focus in time.

But there were a few of these Black Snipeflies which like damp conditions.



And another day (night) I found a couple of Pale Tussock Moths attracted to a window light. I transferred them to a more suitable background.

[Franci]

Yesterday we went out for a "shooting session". It was a good day

[Franci]

A couple of shots of Pieridae

[Franci]

[Geoff F]

Yes, some good shots of interesting species there, Francesca.

Still dull and windy here.

[Letrow]

Same opinion here. Good to see a few photos like that Franci. My motivation to go out is not great at the moment. If we get sun ( if...), we still have to deal with the wind. And my wife needed me to cut down some ivy. Dirty work, which is probably why she let me do it. So anyway, my weekend was well spent.

[Franci]

Thanks Geoff, Peter and Orlando. Definitely, I was lucky

[Geoff F]

Orchids can be dangerous places, as this Andrena bee discovered.



I did try shooting the entire flower but it didn't quite work. Also tried cropping tighter on the insect subjects, which worked but the flower just became part of the background. So I finally settled for this compromise.

Also on the same day. A mating pair of Common Blue Damselflies.



This gives a nice shape to their tails but I was shooting from an awkward angle at around 4 ft so the fine details aren't quite perfect.

I moved a little closer for this alternative but the tails aren't in quite as good a position.

[Cantab]

Geoff, interesting pictures. What is the yellow insect attacking the bee?

[Geoff F]

Misumenia vatia, female.

One of the Crab Spiders which lie in wait on flowers then pounce on passing insects. Often pure white, but they can slightly change colour to match their surroundings. They often take prey larger than themselves.