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Monthly Archives: September 2011
What does a Kinetitrophic Organism Look Like?
If you look for a hypothetical organism that is able to convert kinetic energy into biochemical energy, what would you look for? Maybe something that is attached to a substrate but able to move in the wind or a current? … Continue reading
Starting a Conversation: On Kinetitrophic Organisms
Organisms that create their own energy for living are called autotrophs. Plants are examples of autotrophs. When plants use light as a source of energy the process is called photosynthesis. There are also chemical autotrophs, or organisms that convert the … Continue reading
When is White Yellow?
Typically white butterflies are called “whites” and yellow butterflies are called “sulfurs.” This cabbage white has a little more yellow than normal (although not that much more). This white butterfly has almost as much yellow on its underside as some of the … Continue reading
A Small Moth With a Big Nose
I got a photograph of this small moth with a huge nose today. It shouldn’t be too hard to identify, but as always I am short of time. I will attempt it another day.
Another Syrphid Fly
One of the three common syrphid flies found in our prairie right now is this one, apparently in the genus Helophilus. This one is quite a bit larger than the others, at about half an inch (13 mm).
Posted in diptera, insects
Tagged autumn, diptera, helophilus, macro photography, nature, syrphid flies
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A Small Flower Fly
We seem to have a number of Syrphid flies in our constructed prairie, but at least for now three species predominate. This is the smallest of the three. At some point I will try to identify it but I don’t … Continue reading
Posted in diptera, insects
Tagged diptera, flies, flower flies, macro photography, pollinators, syrphrid flies
4 Comments
Wound Up
I took this photograph of an “exposed bird-dropping moth” today. I found the coiled up proboscis to be kind of charming. You do not see them in that position very often.
Posted in insects, invertebrates
Tagged exposed bird dropping moth, fall flowers, macro photography, moths, proboscis
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Hanging by a Thread (and Making More)
I was out at dusk tonight and I saw this small spider hanging from a flower. It seemed to be spinning silk for its web, but it was too dark for me to see.
Posted in invertebrates
Tagged flowers, macro photography, photography, spider webs, spiders
2 Comments
Milkweed Happenings
The seed pods of common milkweed have dried up and split open. Lightweight brown seeds attached to silky threads have found their way out. This one has found its way onto a New England aster.
Posted in Biological diversity, plants
Tagged Asclepias syriaca, autumn, common milkweed, milkweed pods, milkweed seeds, New England aster, photography, Plants
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Candy Stripers
Some very colorful leafhoppers are found on the leaves of a small American elm tree in our back yard. I think they are Graphocephala coccinea (two individuals of the same species). Bugguide calls them red-banded leafhoppers. Eric Eaton’s Kaufman Field … Continue reading
