Deciduous
Guides
Charadra deridens
Laugher Moth, Marbled Tuffet Moth, Laugher
Charadra deridens is a medium-sized noctuid moth commonly known as the Laugher Moth or Marbled Tuffet Moth. It is widespread across northern North America, ranging from eastern Canada to the Pacific coast, with notable absence from the southwestern United States. The species exhibits seasonal variation in flight period, with shorter activity windows in northern populations and extended seasons in southern regions such as Florida.
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni
Western Giant Ichneumonid Wasp
Megarhyssa nortoni nortoni is a subspecies of giant ichneumon wasp in the family Ichneumonidae. Females possess an extraordinarily long ovipositor—among the longest of any insect—that they use to parasitize wood-boring horntail larvae deep within dead or dying hardwood trees. The species is native to western North America and has been introduced to New Zealand as a biological control agent. Despite their formidable appearance, they are harmless to humans and cannot sting.
Myolepta strigilata
Scaled Pegleg
Myolepta strigilata, commonly known as the Scaled Pegleg, is an uncommon syrphid fly found in the eastern and central United States. Adults are flower visitors that feed on nectar and pollen. The species is part of the hoverfly family, capable of sustained hovering flight. Larvae of the genus develop in rot holes of deciduous trees.