Monthly Archives: September 2011

What does a Kinetitrophic Organism Look Like?

Posted on September 30, 2011 by the roused bear

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 →

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Starting a Conversation: On Kinetitrophic Organisms

Posted on September 29, 2011 by the roused bear

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 →

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When is White Yellow?

Posted on September 28, 2011 by the roused bear

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 →

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A Small Moth With a Big Nose

Posted on September 27, 2011 by the roused bear

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.

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Another Syrphid Fly

Posted on September 26, 2011 by the roused bear

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).

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A Small Flower Fly

Posted on September 25, 2011 by the roused bear

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 →

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Wound Up

Posted on September 24, 2011 by the roused bear

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.  

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Hanging by a Thread (and Making More)

Posted on September 23, 2011 by the roused bear

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.

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Milkweed Happenings

Posted on September 22, 2011 by the roused bear

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.

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Candy Stripers

Posted on September 21, 2011 by the roused bear

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 →

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