Slosson’s Mason Wasp – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data We were hiking along the 2,500 foot long Big Cypress Bend Boardwalk when we came across this Slosson’s mason wasp This spectacular pollinator photo was taken when I was on a hike with Matt in the Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park. This park sits right next […]
Checkered Melon Beetle – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data These types of beetles are known as skeletonizing leaf beetles or flea beetles Big Bend National Park is a magnificent desert landscape that includes the Chisos Mountains and border the Rio Grande. Within this park there are many species of pollinators. Some are endemic to the […]
Ambush Bugs – IUCN Conservation Status: Varies Ambush bugs will prey on creatures much larger than themselves including bees, butterflies, moths, and flies How does a creature get the name ambush bug? These stealthy bugs sit on flowers and wait for other creatures to get too close. This behavior isn’t unique, in fact we featured a predator […]
Great Spangled Fritillary – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern This great spangled fritillary was enjoying the many native flowers This photo was taken at Brown County State Park in southern Indiana. Jill and I had set up camp and were out for a hike on a hot summer day in July. This great spangled fritillary […]
Black and Yellow Mud Dauber – IUCN Conservation Status: Insufficient Data They affix these mud nests in areas that are kept dry. This photo comes from the Bangor City Forest in Maine. This easily accessible 600+ acre wildlife habitat is open to the public year-round. If you enjoy hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing, there are nine miles […]
Goldenrod Soldier Beetle – Observations There were thousands of bees, wasps, beetles, butterflies, and other insects moving about around us. This orange and black beetle is a goldenrod soldier beetle. I took this photo while on a short hike at Eagle Creek Park with Matt. We were hiking in a big open field that is […]
Eagle Creek Park They are known to have solitary nests, but they usually nest in social groups. I took this photo of an eastern carpenter bee on the same day that I took the photo of a goldenrod soldier beetle. Matt had been in Indianapolis visiting, and we went to Eagle Creek Park to take […]
Black Swallowtail – IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern These voracious eaters would take down a three-foot-tall plant in its entirety in only a few short days! I took this photo as I was coming down from the summit of Emory Peak in Big Bend National Park. I took a lot of macro photos on this […]
Paper Wasp – IUCN Conservations Status: Insufficient Data Wasps can sting repeatedly This fascinating pollinator is a paper wasp. These wild looking wasps measure in at about an inch. Their body coloration ranges and may include yellows, oranges, reds, and browns. This paper wasp even appears to have green eyes! Bee Why is it called a paper wasp? These […]
Common Eastern Bumblebee – IUCN Conservations Status: Least Concern As they fly from flower to flower, the bumblebee collects pollen between the its hairs This might be the most common bee to see if you are an east coaster. The common eastern bumblebee is found across the eastern US, southern Canada, and the Great Plains. Their fuzzy […]