I think that folks here like this sort of thing!
Ammophila procera is a large species of thread-waisted wasp. Here one is putting the finishing touches to her burrow, and soon she will provision it with paralyzed caterpillars to feed to her larvae.
Thread-waisted wasp by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The jaws of Ammophila are a bit startling, but they are ideal for carrying caterpillars. Think of them as being like hot dog tongs.
Thread-waisted wasp by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
This is the painted lichen moth (Hypoprepia fucosa). As the name implies, the larvae feed on lichens.
Painted lichen moth by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Sawflies are a kind of wasp, although they don't really look wasp-like. Many sawfly larvae look more like caterpillars, and like caterpillars they feed on the leaves of plants. This is the larva of the rose sawfly (Allantus cinctus).
Rose sawfly larva by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Many ants will "farm" aphids, harvesting a sugary secretion from them and offering protection in return. Here a carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is tending to its herd of aphids (Chaitophorus populcola). This was photographed from the cottonwood tree in my back yard.
Carpenter ant tending aphids by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
I look for all insects, but I am always thinking about dragonflies. One of the more unique of them is the fawn darner (Boyeria vinosa). This rather odd looking dragonfly becomes increasingly active late in the afternoon, and they continue to fly after sundown -- a night dragonfly! This female landed right next to me as the sun was setting. I had never seen one before!
Fawn darner by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
This is an ant-mimicking nymph of a broad-headed bug (Alydus eurinus). A general rule about mimicking ants is that besides looking like an ant, an ant mimick will act like one too. This means they scurry around very quickly. Not easy to get pictures of ant mimics.
Broad headed bug nymph by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The chirping of male tree crickets are a familiar sound the world over, even to people who don't live with these insects. This is because movie studios favor the sound of tree crickets when they want that sound in their movies. So you are probably hearing them right now in your head. Anyway, this male was singing away outside of our kitchen window. I often see them in this pose, leaning against a pair of leaves. Maybe they are using the leaves to amplify or direct their singing? I don't know. But I do know that it took many attempts over many nights to get this picture. The species may be Oecanthus niveus, but that is an educated guess.
Snowy tree cricket by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Thanks for looking!
Lots of pictures of insects
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- MarkSturtevant
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Lots of pictures of insects
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters
Dept. of Still Waters
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
What an enjoyable, varied set!
The light on the sawfly larvae is sweet
The light on the sawfly larvae is sweet
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
Excellent
NU.
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
student of entomology
Quote – Holmes on ‘Entomology’
” I suppose you are an entomologist ? “
” Not quite so ambitious as that, sir. I should like to put my eyes on the individual entitled to that name.
No man can be truly called an entomologist,
sir; the subject is too vast for any single human intelligence to grasp.”
Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr
The Poet at the Breakfast Table.
Nikon camera, lenses and objectives
Olympus microscope and objectives
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
A very interesting collection. I really like that you describe each insect and its unique characteristics.
My favorite is the broad headed bug nymph, I never knew that these existed.
My favorite is the broad headed bug nymph, I never knew that these existed.
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
Fine pictures!
I think you used special flash techniques
I think you used special flash techniques
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
I never get tired of these beautiful and informative posts from you!
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
Very nice.
Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing.
Re: Lots of pictures of insects
This wasp is very interesting, good behavioral shots.