Tag Archives: parasites

Might be Mites

Posted on November 19, 2014 by the roused bear

Back near the end of October I had the occasion to split some firewood, and ran across some ants within one of the logs I split. I am not an ant expert, but I think that the species is Camponotus … Continue reading →

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Another Cool Bug to Watch For

Posted on July 30, 2014 by the roused bear

Sometimes to find a cool bug you have to look at another.  Case in point: This is a planthopper, probably Acanalonia conica.  It’s pretty cool itself.  But there is another critter I would like to find that is sometimes associated … Continue reading →

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My Home is my Castle

Posted on July 23, 2014 by the roused bear

I saw these dogbane moth caterpillars the other day. They use silk to bind some leaves together in a loose structure, then surround that area by a nearly invisible network of silk.  While I was watching, I saw a parasitic … Continue reading →

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

When Flies have Fleas

Posted on July 4, 2012 by the roused bear

This picture-winged fly,  Rivellia species has a fairly large mite on its side. In spite of the additional load, it was able to fly off with no apparent problem.  

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The End of the Butterfly Irruptions?

Posted on May 8, 2012 by the roused bear

There have been irruptions–rapid increases in the numbers–of several butterfly species this season. Will irruptions of the natural predators of those butterflies cause a decrease in the numbers?  This is one of those natural predators.  This is a tachnid fly–I … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological diversity, diptera, insects | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Phorid Flies and Digger Bees

Posted on July 10, 2011 by the roused bear

So if you read my post the other day here you know that I have a number of digger bees living under my porch. I think they are Anthophora abrupta, but I have not confirmed that yet.  Swan and Papp, … Continue reading →

Posted in Biological diversity, insects | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What’s That Weird Red Thing?

Posted on July 8, 2011 by the roused bear

I saw this plant bug the other day with a weird red thing on it.  At first I thought it was a mite.  After looking at it closely I am not so sure.  But I don’t have a good idea … Continue reading →

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Nature at its Ugliest

Posted on December 9, 2010 by the roused bear

Nature is not always beautiful or cute.  Sometimes it is cruel and ugly.  On July 14, 2010, while I was watching the mound of Formica exsectoides, I saw a very small form crawling up and down a blade of grass … Continue reading →

Posted in ants, formica exsectoides | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments