Prairie Cicada

 This large caramel colored cicada is the Prairie Cicada (Tibicen dorsata), they are found throughout the Eastern United States. This species is one of the largest cicadas to call Missouri home and are often associated with tall grassy areas, such as meadows, prairies and tall weedy areas.
This is one of the most beautiful species of cicadas, with a gorgeous caramel color trimmed in black. The eyes are large and pinkish in color.

Like all cicadas the males sing loudly to attract a mate. Each species has it's own distinct song, and if you so desire you can learn the songs of each species and will be able to identify them without seeing them.This is similar to what bird watchers do when they learn the songs of birds.

It is not fully known if the adults eat, it can be assumed they may consume plant juices or tree sap. The nymphs live underground and feed on the roots of trees, plants and grasses. This species is considered a Dog-Day cicada and has a one year lifecycle. Meaning they will live as a nymph underground for one year, then climb up from the soil and make their way to a vertical surface where they will shed their outer skin for the last time and dry their wings. Shortly there after they males will begin singing, this typically occurs in the hottest days of summer...or the "dog-days of summer"

Cicadas are often mistakenly called Locusts. Locusts are a type of migratory grasshopper in the order orthoptera. With summer fast approaching its end, so too will end the song of these loud music makers. I for one dread the silence of their call.....for it means winter is not far away!

Eastern Pondhawk

This beautiful green dragonfly, busy chowing down on a tiny fly is the Eastern Pondhawk (Erythemis simpliciollis). Like all dragonflies they are predatory and feed on a wide array of flying insects. By reaching out and grabbing their dinner with powerful legs and scooping it up to their mouth to dine on, they give a whole new meaning to the phrase "fast food".  You will find them near ponds, lakes, creeks, and other bodies of water. They will also be found away from water in meadows and open fields searching for insect prey.

Immature males will be powdery blue (picture 2), and as they age they will be mostly green. Females are also green with black spots on their abdomen. These are a medium sized dragonfly measuring up to 2 1/2 inches.

They are found throughout the Eastern United States, as well as Arizona, Texas and New Mexico.
Mating takes place early summer. Males will patrol for females. After mating, the females will lay eggs on aquatic vegetation. The young nymphs will live an aquatic life for a year before emerging as adults.

These dragonflies also go by the name "Green Jacket" and "Common Pondhawk". They are typically easier to approach than most other species of dragonflies. With over 30,000 lenses per eye they have excellent eyesight and are next to impossible to sneak up on. With dragonflies it is more about temperament, which can vary by species, as well as individuals within each species.

Feather-Legged Fly

This pretty little black and orange fly is called a Feather-Legged Fly, I believe this particular one is Trichopoda pennipes. They are found throughout the United States, and are usually associated with tall grassy areas. They are mostly black with shades of orange on the abdomen and thorax. The hind legs have feathery projections on them from whence they get their common name.

After mating, the female will seek out a true bug (i.e. stink bug, squash bug, etc.) on which to lay her eggs. The eggs will hatch and the larvae will burrow into the bug and begin feeding. Only one larvae will exist in each true bug. Eventually a fully formed maggot will develop and exit from the body of the true bug. Soon after this the true bug will perish. The maggot will pupate in the soil and in about 2 weeks will emerge as an adult.

Even though these bugs are used extensively in agriculture to help control the destructive population of damaging insects such as Green Stink Bugs and Squash Bugs, it is debatable how much good they are actually doing. While it is true that they parasitize approximately 70 to 80 percent of true bug populations in areas where they are released, the fact remains that the true bugs are still active and feeding. They will also mate and lay eggs. It takes some time for the fly larvae to have an impact on the true bugs life cycle. So in the time it takes for that fly maggot to wreck havoc the true bug as also done its fair share of damage.

The adults will be found taking nectar from various flowers. It is common to see the adult females hovering over gardens seeking their true bug victim to lay eggs on.

Question Mark Butterfly

This odd knobby-looking caterpillar is the offspring of the Question Mark Butterfly (Polygonia interrogationis). This year seems to be the "Year of the Question Mark", I've seen more of these caterpillars and adult butterflies than any other species. The first photo of the caterpillar was taken on an elm tree, and there was no less than 30 other caterpillar on the same small tree. I've seen them on several other elm trees around our property as well. I've even brought several into the house and reared them into adulthood.
They are found throughout the eastern 2/3 of the United States, except for central and southern Florida. There are populations in Southwestern Canada as well.

They are fond of sweet treats like this nectar from the hummingbird feeder, they will also feed on rotting fruit, carrion, dung and sap flows. The caterpillars feed on elm, false nettle, nettle, and hackberry.

Love is in the air. This mated pair will create offspring that will overwinter as adults. They will secure themselves in leaf litter, and other sheltered areas. In the spring they will become active on the first warm days. They are often the first butterflies seen in early spring. Their close cousin the Comma Butterfly has a very similar lifecycle. They also look much the same. The Question Mark and the Comma both have orangish-red wings and blackish hindwings. There are various black markings on the forewings. The question mark has an extra dash on the forewings that the comma does not have. On the underside of the hindwing are the distinguishing markings that identify this species from its cousin. The Question Mark has a silvery-white "question mark" that is visible in the above picture. The Comma Butterfly has a silvery-white "comma". This species is medium sized with a 3 inch wingspan. The winter form of this species is orange-black with longer violet tipped tails. These violet tipped tails also earns this butterfly their other common name of "violet-tip butterfly".

Common Buckeye

The Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia) is found throughout most of the United States. The first broods are born in the Southern United States and migrate north. Each subsequent generation will migrate further north until they reach the northern most part of their range, which includes the Great Lake States. These are a magnificently marked butterfly with shades of brown, yellow, orange and tan. The eyespots are probably the most spectacular thing about these butterflies. The eyespots are shades of orange, tan and purple ringed with black or brown. Most likely the eyespots are present to scare off would-be predators. They are not a large butterfly, with only a wingspan of up to 2 3/4 inches, but what they lack in size they more than make up for in coloration and human tolerance. These beauties are almost always easy to approach and will often land on us to lick up perspiration.

Look for them in open sunny areas with some bare ground exposed with low vegetation. They are often found along roadsides. The adults will nectar at various flowers. Mating occurs throughout the season. Males will be found basking in the sun on the ground during the day. They will periodically patrol their territory looking for females and chasing off any trespassing males. After mating , the female will lay tiny green eggs on the upperside of leaves in the snapdragon family, plantain family and acanthus family of plants.  No other butterfly in Missouri can be mistaken for this species.

The one photographed here was sitting on a milkweed plant at Maple Leaf Lake Conservation Area.

Spotted Bird Grasshopper

Spotted Bird Grasshoppers (Schistocerca lineata NO TAXON-typical) are one of 50 species in the same group of grasshoppers that are typically called locusts. The locusts are famous for their swarming capabilities. Millions of these grasshoppers would gather and swarm in huge black clouds that would descend on fields and destroy crops. Many years ago in the United States settlers were faced with huge swarms of Rocky Mountain Locusts. These swarms would blacken out the sky and create fear and dread in all who seen them coming. Nothing would be left behind when these hungry beasts would appear. There was a swarm in the mid 1800's that was reported to be larger than the whole state of California. The swarm was estimated to carry trillions of these locusts. The Rocky Mountain Locust is now extinct in our country and no one seems to have a definitive answer as to why. The last reported live specimen was in Canada in 1902.  I guess we should just be grateful they aren't plaguing us and not ask too many questions. All grasshoppers within this genus have the ability to swarm and some do seem to gather in large numbers, but fortunately nothing as Biblical as the Locust Plague of Moses' time. Or as awful as the Rocky Mountain Locust swarms of our own country's past. In Africa and other countries they are still plagued by huge locust swarms and chemicals such as DDT that has been banned here in the US are still being used there in large quantities to try and control mass population explosions of these eating machines.

 The Spotted Bird Grasshopper is very wide spread and common throughout the Great Plains and Prairie States east of the Rockies. They favor fields and open areas with herbaceous or woody plants to feed on. If they occur in large enough numbers they can cause significant damage to crops. There is some difficulty in identifying this species. Their color can vary by region and if crossbreeding is occurring. This particular species can be brownish, olive, tan or greenish in color. A bold stripe down the back is typical of most bird grasshoppers, and this species seems to have spots on the thorax which probably what earned it the common name of Spotted Bird Grasshopper. They are very large and may reach lengths up to 3 inches. The hind tibiae (lower legs) are usually brown or black.

The mating cycle of these grasshoppers is very similar to that of other grasshoppers. They will mate in late summer and the female will lay an egg mass in the soil that may contain up to 20 or more eggs. These eggs will overwinter and in the spring the young nymphs will emerge. They will look very similar to the adults but lack wings. In warmer climates the adults may overwinter as well.

These grasshoppers are reported to be good fish bait, and I can certainly see why. Their size alone would attract a hungry fish.

Leafhoppers

This gorgeous little leafhopper is Tylozygus bifidus. They are beautifully marked with bands of blue-green, white and yellow. The eyes are brilliant red. They are very tiny at about 1/4 inch in length. They are common throughout the Eastern United States, and generally will  be more active during late summer months. If the temperature remains warm they may remain active through October. Look for them near woodlands on the leaves of tall plants.

This little green leafhopper is Acanalonia conica. They are found throughout Eastern North America. This species has a pointed head, and two black spots between the wings. This species will also be found in high grasses near timbered areas. They feed on a wide variety of grasses and shrubs.

This alien-looking creature is a treehopper nymph. I am unsure of the species, could possibly be the nymph the above species conica.

This species is Nersia florida , they are found throughout the Eastern United States and in California. They look different from traditional leafhoppers with the presence of those clear membraneous wings. They are approximately 1/2 inch in length. Lime green in color with a distinctive black spots just  below the tip of the head. In the first picture of this species the male flew in to check out the female. He walked around her for a bit, then saddled up next to her, and moved until the tip ofhis abdomen was against the tip of hers. Mating commenced.

This pretty little hopper is the Candy-Striped Leafhopper or the Red-Banded Leafhopper in the genus Graphocephala. There are 6 subspecies throughout North America and they are often hard to tell apart without close inspection.

Leafhoppers are easily found, but also easily overlooked because of their dimunitive size. Often times some of the most beautiful things come in small packages.

Thank you

 I just found out today that I was voted on of the top 40 best insect blogs on the internet. I ranked in at #12.

Thank you so much all my loyal and frequent visitors. It means so much to me that you all enjoy and believe in this blog so much that you would vote for it. There are many great blogs on the list, and if you have time you should visit them. Top 40 Insect Blogs I feel honored to be included among such great bloggers and insect experts.

When I first began this blog it was a way for me to share my love of insects through photography and short descriptions. Insects get such a bad rap that I felt compelled to try and change that mindset. I have enjoyed writing and posting more than I can express, and getting to know each of you through your comments and own blogs has been a wonderful experience.

Keep visiting, I look forward to hearing from you!

Thanks again everyone for the votes.!

You've got male

Each spring the young female paper wasp will begin nest building in anticipation of laying eggs. She would have been bred the previous fall by males of her own kind. As the eggs hatch, and the larvae grow, then pupate, they will become the adults that take over the care of the nest. They will seek food in the form of miscellaneous insects that they masticate and feed to the young larvae. The nest will grow as more offspring are created. Some nests may house 20 or more individuals.

Sometime in mid to late summer the queen wasp will lay eggs that are destined to become male paper wasps. It is these males that have shown up in my back yard. I've kept my eye on one particular nest under the top lid of our propane tank. Last night the males were venturing out and testing their wings, taking short flights around the propane tank and back. It was kind of funny to watch, you could almost sense the excitement in the air as they flew and dived and landed (sometimes none too gracefully) back at the entrance to the lid of the propane tank. This nest is quite large with at least 20 wasps all clinging to it. Soon the males will seek fertile females to mate with.

When the first hard frost hits the wasps will begin dying, and by the middle of October or first of November they will be gone...the only ones that will remain behind are the bred females. They will hide themselves away in leaf litter, under the bark of trees or some other secure spot to wait out winters fury. They will return with the first warm days of spring to begin the cycle all over again. The presence of these males only indicates to me that winter is not far off, which is so hard to imagine with temperatures topping out at 99 degrees today. Winter almost....ALMOST sounds good right now.

Bolas Spider

 This odd looking little creature is a Bolas Spider (Mastophora). They are found worldwide with exception to temperate Eurasia and Antartica. There are several species throughout North America. Four species are listed as being common in the Eastern United States, they are M. Archeri; M. bisaccata; M. hutchisoni; and M. Phrynosoma. I am unsure which species I photographed here is, but I believe it could be M. bisaccata. They are reported to resemble, superficially at least, snails. That is certainly what I thought this was when I first spotted it stuck to the leaf of a honeysuckle bush in my yard. Other species are bird-dropping mimics and will attach themselves to the upperside of leaves to rest throughout the day. Their ruse is complete with lumps, bumps and proper coloration. Many creatures mimic bird droppings, which I must say is a great disguise, who or what after all would want to feast on Poo?

These spiders are unique in many ways, they do not look like any other spider you are likely to come in contact with. They hold their legs under their body, much like a turtle pulls itself into its shell. They are very calm, and will not try to escape when handled, although the females of some species may emit a foul smelling odor as a form of defense. This particular spider did not do so, thankfully. I handled her quite a lot and she did not seem to be overly disturbed by the experience. Although I must say getting her to show her legs was a feat in and of itself. Perhaps she is modest? She proved difficult to photograph in other ways too, I could not find any decernable eyes on the head of this creature. Seriously, where are the eyes? They are reported to have excellent eyesight and hearing, so where are the eyes? It made focusing on her face quite challenging, when there was NOTHING to focus on.

 They are classified with Orb Weavers, yet they do not spin webs. They instead have a very unusual way of capturing their prey. The female will sit perched on a leaf, and emit a pheromone that mimics a particular moth species.  One species that they are known to mimic is the Bristly Cutworm Moth. This moth in its caterpillar stage is a known pest of herbaceous plants. This spider helps reduce the number of mating males, thus reducing the amount of damaging offspring. This pheromone tricks male moths in the area into thinking there is a female moth nearby ready to mate. As he flies in to investigate he instead finds himself lassoed at the end of a sticky string that the female spider so expertly flung at him. This silken strand of line has a sticky glob of silk at the end of it, this glob of silk is what earned the spider their common name of "Bolas". A bolas is a type of weapon used by the South American Gauchos to throw at the legs of animals, effectively tripping them. Bolas translates into ball, which is an apt description for the sticky glob of goo on the end of the silken strand produced by these spiders. That ball grabs ahold of the moth and won't let go, and the spider "reels in her catch". This method of hunting has also earned the spider two other common names, angling spider and fishing spider (not to be confused the Dolomedes genus of spiders that are found near ponds and other water sources). Males and young spiderlings do not use a 'Bola" to capture their prey, they instead sit at the edge of a leaf and wait for prey to pass by, they will then reach out and capture their meal with their front legs.

 Another unique thing about these spiders is their mating habits. Mating occurs in late summer, then in late fall the female will produce an egg sac. Within this egg sac will be hundreds of eggs. She may produce numerous sacs each containing hundreds of eggs before she herself perishes (except in warmer climates, she may live through the winter). The egg sac overwinters and in the spring the young spiderlings emerge...so far nothing so unique about that right? Well here comes the shocker...male bolas spiders are hatched, and are immediately an adult. They will be approximately 1/16 of an inch in size and are already capable of breeding. Females on the other hand must grow and mature before they are ready to mate. Most spider species require that the male also grow and mature before being ready to mate, not so with this genus of spiders. When fully grown the female will measure approximately a 1/2 inch. These are a small spider and are easy to overlook.

This spider has a venom, but unless you are a tiny moth you have nothing to fear. They are unlikely to bite a human and if they did it would be completely harmless to us.