Myakka River State Park
Went with my father to Myakka River State Park in SW Florida yesterday, and here are the photographs to prove it. Most interesting (to me) were two flies that I'd never heard of before: one in the genus Octhera and a Grallipeza nebulosa. At least that's what I think they were. Took me forever to figure out IDs. We spent a lot of time along the river's edge trying to capture tiger beetles (no luck) but thankfully escaped interest of nearby alligators. There's supposed to be one that is 16 1/2 feet long. Only dangerous situation was self-induced when I got in close to a nest of paper wasps.
By the way: it's the namesake of the Myakka bug (Ischnodemus variegatus).
Observations
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What
Island Apple Snail (Pomacea maculata)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Given color I think this is Pomacea maculata. Hundreds of these around.
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What
Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), I think. Thanks for correction.
Photos / Sounds
What
Three-lined Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata ssp. ascendens)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Based on color, elytra pattern, single setae on first antennal segment, and likely micrserrulate margin at distal tip of elytra on male. Riparian and extremely wary.
Photos / Sounds
What
Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Guessing this is a juvenile Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis).
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What
Forktails (Genus Ischnura)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
I have no idea what kind this. Was eating a caterpillar larvae.
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Grallipeza nebulosaObserver
colinpurringtonDescription
I think this is Grallipeza nebulosa.
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Oak Leaf Rolling Weevil (Homoeolabus analis)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Nidus of oak leaf rolling weevil. Second pic shows a larva. Along with the weevil larvae in the three I opened, found a small beetle, multiple orange larvae, two eggs (parasitoids?), and mites. I made observations for all but the mites (just way to small to get pics without microscope).
I'm assuming host is live oak, Quercus virginiana.
Most likely Homoeolabus analis. Found adults of that species the next day, though at a different location.
Photos / Sounds
What
Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Male brown anole (Norops sagrei), I think.
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Life (Life)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
This blob of plant tissue is probably just the oak responding to some sort of damage. But I'm curious ... is there a particular organism that causes these blobs??
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Island Apple Snail (Pomacea maculata)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
Myakka River State Park.
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What
Least Paper Wasp (Polistes dorsalis ssp. dorsalis)Observer
colinpurringtonDescription
I think these are Polistes dorsalis dorsalis.
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