Category Archives: insects

Reverse Zombies

Posted on July 27, 2017 by

Zombies in our movies and TV shows are unthinking creatures, predators on people.  They stumble around with no real focus and can suffer horrific damage.  If left to their own devices they will convert the whole world into more zombies. … Continue reading →

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On Ripley Esker

Posted on June 17, 2017 by

One of my job duties requires me to go to Camp Ripley in Minnesota about every year.  We do an internal audit of our Environmental Management System, and since you cannot audit yourself (or the work you have done), we … Continue reading →

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Get ’em off, Get ’em off!

Posted on June 10, 2017 by

Dragonflies and damselflies can often be seen carrying a load of the parasitic larvae of water mites.  This damselfly (probably a familiar bluet) had an unusually large load. It is thought that they do not kill the damsels, but that … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological diversity, damselflies, insects, Uncategorized | Tagged | 2 Comments

Might be Mites

Posted on May 28, 2017 by

This red admiral seems to be infested with something.  My best guess is mites. I think there is one on the right leg in front, and two on the back left leg. They could be parasitic or predatory, but they … Continue reading →

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Wandering Around

Posted on May 25, 2017 by

We finally had some warm and dry weather so I wondered around the property.  This winter and early spring I spent some time photographing a moss on an old elm stump at the edge of our yard.  I went over … Continue reading →

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World Robber Fly Day

Posted on April 30, 2017 by

Don’t ask me why, but apparently today is “world robberfly day.” This one is Laphria flavicollis. And this is Holcocephala fusca. Just another reason to drink beer.

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Because it’s Earth Day…

Posted on April 22, 2017 by

…or maybe because it was a beautiful day and I could, I took a bunch of pictures today.  And I got earth on the knees of my jeans as I did.  And I got earth on my elbows as I … Continue reading →

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Out for a Stroll

Posted on April 1, 2017 by

I photographed some moss on a stump earlier today, and accidentally photographed some springtails out for a stroll.  I did not see them while I took the picture, only when I saw the photo on my computer screen. I don’t … Continue reading →

Posted in insects, invertebrates, rural | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Wet Tree Watch

Posted on February 13, 2017 by

It is that time of the year, or at least almost that time of year.  Watch for wet trees. Here in Iowa most of the trees are deciduous.  The leaves fell from the branches last year, and the sap is … Continue reading →

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Winter Trees and a Spider

Posted on January 21, 2017 by

We have been having some unusual winter weather lately.   Warmer than normal (but of course still cool–it is January here in Iowa) and very wet. Walking on the lawn is an adventure.  The ground is frozen, but there is … Continue reading →

Posted in insects, invertebrates | Tagged , , | 1 Comment