Photos / Sounds
What
Furrow Orbweaver (Larinioides cornutus)Observer
gruffchickDescription
I believe she's a Larinioides cornutus. Can anyone narrow that down, please?
These beautiful spiders herald spring. Their webs greet us every morning. Their webs also adorn our truck, which means there's a terrified spider clinging to a thin line as it careens down a highway at 65MPH
Photos / Sounds
What
Leopard Slug (Limax maximus)Observer
gruffchickDescription
Fairly certain this is Limax maximus. Would welcome corrections if I'm wrong.
It has a light brown to gray body; multiple dark longitudinal stripes breaking into spots on dorsum. The mantle is marbled, and the tentacles are red-brown and lack the spots found in L. cereoniger. It has a white/grey sole. These slugs produce a clear mucus (on nights when they're especially active, they create wondrous patterns along the dark deck and rug). I was unable to capture a good picture of its pneumostome.
We have a few juveniles lurking around, though I haven't seen any recently. I'm guessing they're about around 3 weeks in age by time they venture from under our deck; they have proper mantle coloration and their pinkish tentacles have taken on a darker hue. The larger adults give them a run for their money, frequently killing them.
L. Maximus, like other species, is very common out here. They thrive in gardens and in soil close to foundations and walls. Any place that's damp suits them. I leave them alone rather than consider them as pests.
They're nocturnal, and come out to feast upon rotten leaves and other plant matter as well as the tiny mushrooms that cluster under our porch.
An amusing anecdote absolutely unrelated to classification: our chiweenie made the mistake of stepping on one of these several years back. The horror of the experience, coupled with the remnants left on his pads, caused him to fear going outside in the summer. Only the summer. He's fine all other seasons. He took one look at this specimen last night, launched himself over it and the steps leading down to the yard, and ran across the grass to sulk at the back gate. Wouldn't come in until I scooped the slug off the carpet and deposited it in the garden bed.
Photos / Sounds
What
Beetles (Order Coleoptera)Observer
gruffchickDescription
Looking to have clarification on this insect. I've never seen one of these in this area. It lacks the downy hairs on the elytron commonly found on the Limonius spp (Dark Brown Click Beetle) and the abdomen is light (I initially mistook him for a lightening bug) rather than dark as found on the Hemicrepidius memnonius (also Dark Brown Click Beetle).
Anyone capable of properly identifying him?
Edit: 1 Aug. Grouped the other pictures under one observation. Thank you to all those that helped me figure out how to do so. Much appreciated.
Photos / Sounds
What
Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata)Observer
gruffchickDescription
Orange with three black-spot-patterns on each side. Elytra divided with thin, black lines. Legs are black. Body roughly 2.8 cm in length.
Enjoys beating itself stupid on porch light bulbs, and long squats on screen doors. Amiable nature but did not tolerate prodding.
Neighbors across the way keep a small stand of grape vines. This is the first time this beetle has been spotted in my back garden.
