This large grasshopper was photographed sitting on the stem of a sunflower.
This plant has vigorously overtaken my lilac bush, and is sending fast-growing shoots up all over the yard. It is definitely a climbing, vining plant, and had been called bindweed by other folks in the area. Clearly, it is not bindweed. Today, I found it overrun by milkweed tussock moth caterpillars, which strongly suggests it is, in fact, some sort of dogbane. Any ideas?
A Double Mystery.
The caterpillar certainly looks like a milkweed tussock moth. I first noticed them on my little potted milkweed plant, and wondered where they had come from, since they were already large. Nearby, I located a large number of them feeding on a vine that has overtaken my lilac bush, so I returned the wayward caterpillars to the vine. Now, tussock moth caterpillars supposedly feed only on milkweeds and dogbane. I'll make a separate observation for the vine!
Bindweed blooming.
Bindweed blooming on top of a lilac bush appears to be a butterfly mecca.
Very tiny leafhopper. Looks fascinatingly like a particle of plant debris.
Every once in a while, the camera cooperates beautifully.
Held its wings spread similar to a dragonfly (but is clearly a damselfly).
Active. 1 to 1.5 inches long.
This gorgeous argiope built its web in our basement doorway. I think we'll just let it stay, as we don't often use that door anyhow.
