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Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons
Modest masked bee
Hylaeus modestus citrinifrons is a subspecies of the modest masked bee, a small, nearly hairless solitary bee in the family Colletidae. It is part of a genus commonly known as yellow-faced or masked bees due to distinctive facial markings. The species H. modestus has been documented visiting flowers in garden and agricultural settings. Like other Hylaeus, it is a cavity-nesting bee that uses pre-existing hollow stems or twigs rather than excavating its own burrows.
Mydas clavatus
Clubbed Mydas Fly
Mydas clavatus is a large, striking mydas fly native to temperate eastern North America. Adults are notable Batesian mimics of spider wasps, displaying bold behavior enabled by their wasp-like appearance. The species is distinguished by a prominent orange to red abdominal marking and clubbed antennae—a trait shared across the genus. Adults are active in mid-summer and have been documented visiting diverse flowering plants for nectar.
Batesian-mimicrywasp-mimicpollinatorwoodboring-predatorMydidaeDipteraeastern-North-Americamid-summernectar-feederscarab-beetle-predatorclubbed-antennaeorange-abdominal-markingspider-wasp-mimicharmlessconspicuousbold-behaviormock-stinging-displayheart-rot-habitatOsmoderma-predatorflowering-plant-visitorlarge-flyglabrate-bodytemperate-forestmeadowgarden-visitordeciduous-woodlandOchlodes sylvanoides
Woodland Skipper
Ochlodes sylvanoides, the Woodland Skipper, is a small orange-brown skipper butterfly found across western North America. Adults are active from midsummer through fall and feed on flower nectar. Larvae develop on various grass species in the family Poaceae. The species occupies diverse habitats including woodlands, grasslands, and urban gardens.