May
Guides
Allocapnia rickeri
Midwest Snowfly
Allocapnia rickeri is a small winter stonefly in the family Capniidae, commonly known as the Midwest Snowfly. It is one of numerous small, dark stoneflies in the genus Allocapnia that emerge during cold months when few other insects are active. The species has been documented across the central and eastern United States. Like other capniids, it is associated with clean, cold streams and is an important indicator of water quality.
winter-stoneflybioindicatorcoldwaterPlecopteraCapniidaeAllocapnialoticemergencebrachypteryapterygenitalia-identificationFrison-1942Midwestsoutheastern-USclean-water-indicatorJanuary-Marchsmall-stoneflywingless-femalestream-insectshreddergathererseasonal-resourcewater-qualityaquatic-insectterrestrial-adultshort-lived-adultovipositionsubmerged-eggshigh-dissolved-oxygenlow-temperaturecentral-USeastern-USAlabamaArkansasDelawareGeorgiaIllinoishexapodhemimetabolousEuholognathaNemouroideaArctoperlariaInsectaArthropodaAnimaliaGBIFCatalogue-of-LifeiNaturalistNCBItaxonomyaccepted-species1942FrisonRickerMidwest-Snowflysnowflysmall-dark-stoneflyclean-streamsriverswell-oxygenatedlotic-habitatcold-monthswinter-activitywing-reductionfemale-apterymale-flightepiproctparaproctterminaliataxonomic-revisioncongenersdistribution-recordsobservations9-observationseukaryotemetazoanarthropodinsectstoneflywinter-emergingJanuaryFebruaryMarchcold-weathernear-freezingbelow-freezingwater-surfacesubmerged-substratesallochthonous-organic-materialstream-ecosystemsseasonal-food-resourceinsectivorous-birdspredatorsscarce-preyunpollutedno-economic-importancestream-monitoringwater-quality-indicatorhigh-quality-coldwatermicroscopic-examinationtaxonomic-keysmale-terminaliareliable-separationgenitalic-examinationoverlapping-distributionsimilar-habitatsmall-sizeunder-10-mmbody-lengthreduced-wingsabsent-wingsfully-developed-wingsspecific-identificationpublished-descriptionsillustrationssubsequent-revisionscharacteristicfamily-Capniidaecommon-nameextended-nymphal-periodone-to-two-yearsshort-liveddoes-not-feedaquatic-nymphclean-cold-streamslow-temperaturesyear-roundwinter-monthsJanuary-through-Marchfamilycentered-Midwestextends-southeasternUnited-Statesdocumentedappearsmost-reliablydistinguishedsubtle-differencesterminal-abdominal-structuresshould-be-comparedagainstpublishedsubsequentgenus-levelcharacterizedreducedabsentfemalesfully-developedmalesrequires-examinationmale-genitaliastructureparaproctsreliableseparationoverlapssimilarmanyexternallydefinitivereliesmicroscopicexaminationcomparisonkeysusedbiologicalindicatorprogramspresenceindicatescoldconditionsno-directeconomicimportanceshreddersgatherersprocessingallochthonousorganicmaterialstreamecosystemsseasonalfoodresourceinsectivorousbirdsotherwhenalternativepreyscarceserveshigh-qualityhabitatsdevelopmentaquaticnymphalstagesterrestrialadultstagenymphsdevelopstreamsextendedperiodlikelyonetwoyearsbasedrelatedspeciesadultsdo-notfeedactiveduringweatherairtemperaturesmaynearbelowfreezingwingedcapableflightwinglessshort-wingedremainwatersurfacematingoccurwinterenteringdepositeggssubmergedsubstratessmallcommonlyknownnumerousdarkemergefewinsectscentraleasternassociatedcleanimportantundermmbodylengthmembersgenuswingspossessfullydevelopedspecificidentificationlevelwithinrequiresmalegenitaliaparticularlymostreliablysubtledifferencestheseterminalabdominalstructuresshouldcompareddescriptionstaxonomicrevisionswinter-emergingmaintainlowhighdissolvedoxygenlevelsthroughoutyearUnitedStatesdistributioncenteredextendssoutheasternmonthstypicallythroughthisactivitygivesrisecommonnamedonotprovidesqualitymonitoringnodirecthabitatmorphologysizegenitalicAmpedus cordifer
Valentine Elater
Ampedus cordifer is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae, native to western North America. It is commonly known as the Valentine Elater due to the distinctive black heart-shaped patch on its bright orange elytra. Adults are most frequently observed from May through July. The species has been documented in 290 iNaturalist observations.
Polistes dominula
European Paper Wasp
Polistes dominula is a highly successful invasive social wasp native to Eurasia that has established populations across North America, South America, New Zealand, South Africa, and other regions. First detected in North America near Boston in 1978, it has become one of the most abundant wasps on the continent. The species builds small, exposed paper nests in protected locations and preys primarily on live insects, particularly caterpillars. Unlike yellowjackets, it does not scavenge for meat or sugar. Its rapid spread has been attributed to ecological flexibility, superior competitive ability, and tolerance of human-altered environments.
invasive-speciessocial-wasppaper-wasppredatorpollinatorurban-ecologyeusocialnest-constructionbiological-controlthermal-biologyspatial-learningvibrational-communicationaposematismhonest-signaloverwinteringdiapausePolistesVespidaeHymenopteraNorth-AmericaEuropeNew-ZealandSouth-AfricaSouth-Americamonarch-butterflycaterpillar-predationnest-architecturegynefoundressdominance-hierarchyclimate-change-impactenergeticsmetabolic-ratemicroclimatesuburban-habitatanthropogenicornamental-pestvineyard-pestfruit-damagestinging-insectvenompoison-glandwarning-colorationZahavian-signalStrepsipteraparasitoidXenosbehavioral-plasticityforaginglearningmemorythermoregulationectothermyendothermysolar-radiationnest-temperaturebrood-developmentcolony-survivalmultiple-foundingsingle-foundingseason-lengthlatitudetemperateMediterraneanhibernacleoverwintering-costsclimate-warmingrange-expansioncompetitionnative-species-displacementbiodiversity-impactconservationmanagementcontrolintegrated-pest-managementIPMidentificationantennae-colorfacial-markingscastereproductionmalefemalesexual-dimorphismantennaeabdomenwingmandiblesalivapapercombcellpediceltrophallaxislarvapupaadultworkerqueensubordinatedominantaggressiondefensethreat-displaystingtoxicitybrightnesscolorationpredator-avoidancepreycaterpillarLepidopterabutterflymothgardenagriculturevineyardorchardurbansuburbanruralforesthabitat-preferencetemperaturemetabolismquiescencetorporsurvivalfitnesscolonynestpopulationabundancedistributionrangeexpansioninvasionestablishmentintroductionbiotic-interactiontrophic-cascadeherbivory-suppressionplant-fitnessmilkweedDanaus-plexippusmonarchNelsonTasmanecosystem-impactconservation-managementbiological-invasionecologybehaviorphysiologymorphologytaxonomysystematicsnomenclaturegender-agreementLatinChrist1791Vespa-dominulabasionymcatalogue-of-lifeGBIFiNaturalistobservationcitizen-sciencephotographyillustrationfield-guideorangeblackyellowredcolor-patternsizewing-lengthbodycompactlegsshortfacesquaretriangulardarkcurledstraightelbowedbluntpointedtipZahaviancostly-signalhuntforagenectarhoneydewaphidscale-insectflowergrapeumbelliferfennellovageinsectmeatballfeedemergechewcaphexagonalwood-fiberbarkexposedopenumbrellastalkantrepellentsubstancecoatprotectlocationeaveattictreebranchvineshrubcavitybird-boxbee-hiveshedgrave-lanternoverwintershelterprotectedthermalclimatecoldwinterspringsummerautumnfallseasonmonthdayactivitydefendthreatdisplayraisetiptoesocialdominancehierarchyreproductiveegglayfoundcooperatecompeteselfishpassive-aggressiveindividualrecognitionfacial-markingcognitionmushroom-bodybrainintelligentartistarchitectnavigationplasticityspatialrelocatingfoodresourcedishbaittrainingexperiencevibrationcommunicationsignalsubstrate-borneabdominalwaggingoscillationsecretionmodulationperceivereactmovementattentionfeedinginspectionbody-temperatureambientsolarradiationmetaboliccostenergeticexpenditureefficiencywarmingchangeimpactincreaseinvasivespreadsuccesscompetitiveabilityflexibilityadaptationreactionresponseconditionyearvariationproductivityfoundingsinglemultipleratebenefitcooperationpredationparasitismvesparumstylopidstylopizationparasitehostinfestationmiteAcariwaspflyeffectcommunitydeclineDanausplexippusmortalityinstarearlylatelargersmallervulnerableresistantdiscoverychancecontactdirectrecruitmentnestmatesitecascadingtrophiccascadeherbivorysuppressionplantgrowthproductionAsclepiasnetexclusionexperimentoutcomesuggestionstrongdetrimentalecosystemstrategymethoddevelopmentprotectionbiodiversityregionfirst2016recentestablishedexoticcongenerchinensislongercomparisonhigherlowergreatestareabuiltstructurenativeunsuccessfultranslocateunablethrivewarmerorigincontributorfactorresearchthesisinsightbehaviourknowledgedirectionaideffectivejournalpublicationDOI10.26686wgtn14538585v1UniversityWellingtonVictoriaMScstudentdissertationstudyinvestigationanalysisdatafieldresidentreportlocalindirectinteractionlevelfunctionserviceprovisionnaturalpestbiocontrolornamentaldecorativecropdamagefruitcherrywesternColoradoatleastripeningchoicepreferenceheightgroundstratamicrositeenvironmentclosedhabitatdensevegetationsurroundingbushPatagoniaArgentinaChileNWdetected2003sympatriccoexistenceoverlapminimalfacilitationbehavioralprocessinterspecificsemi-urbanpoorlystudiedspeciesHypodyneruslabiatusnewlightfindingcontributionunderstandingcollectinganthropizedhighlightimportanceconsiderationEthology10.1111eth13505abstractonlylimiteddetailfulltextrequiredcomprehensivesynthesisvibrationalwidespreadregulatecrucialconspicuousoscillatorywagstrictlyassociatedpresencesuggestedinvolvementadult-larvahypothesisshort-termtrophallacticexchangemodulatesalivarydecreaseamountpreparereceivestimulatereleaseelectro-magneticshakerassesstimerecordmeasureimmediatelyafterplaybackresultshowproducepossiblyorderattractduringneithernorsupportallegedrolelong-lastingExperimentalBiology10.1242jeb186247flexiblesystemexpandingNorthAmericacausestirfastuponexplanationpresentliteraturegoodinvadernorthernriselittleknownnestingCentralinvestigatebasicprincipleGermany49°grouponetofoursmallshorterthanothermeannewlyfounded83averagelength4.6prefer54%46%majorincreased47%single-foundresswhereas100%moretwohowevernonumbertermperobservewellthreeconsecutivegreatlydependingprecedingimplyremarkablyquicklyoutsiderapidcolderEcosphere10.1890es15-002541thermoregulatorypolistinedifferentcollectdemandbroodmainlyectothermictasklivingdifferingrevealenvironmentalinfluencewarmSoutherninfraredthermographyentireusually~20–40°CnearlylinearlythoraxwarmestpartachieveoptimalpreferablyusemodelenableevaluationendothermiceffortexhibitweakalmostconstantperformanceaboutcontrastmostlyminoravoidhighwayreduceInsects10.3390insects10070187traitstronglyComparativeB10.1007s00360-016-1041-xprovidedgallicusinsects14110849adverseweatherofferlowshelteredliveenergystoreItalyAustriadescribecalculateaccordingstandarddiffersignificantlybetween3.2±5.718.55.29variancecorrespondcloselymeteorologicalcumulativemass-specificoverperiodlowestcomparedbothacclimationcalculationup3duedramatic40%additionalexponentiallytemperature-dependentfluctuationdisproportionatelyJensen'sinequalitywoodenbirdboxemptybeehiveundergrapevinegravelanterncemeterybeginwhenexceed~18–20confidencenoteinformationinferredfromactivenotdiscussedthissourceassociationaddressedrelationshipinsects14110886thermophilicoriginatingbutnowwidelyquitesynanthropichumansettlementplacewithfavorabletypicalsidewasps'wide~20–37aboveairadvantageasacceleratespeeddidapproximately38.6managedbycoolingnear~1–2cmalwaysclearlyelevatedstationclimate-model-generatedmacroclimaterevealednecessitymeasuringforreliabledescriptioninsects'brighter-coloredpoisonglandFrontiersZoology10.11861742-9994-9-20aposmatismagainstconsistingwarningusingtoxincostlyphysicalcouldsimultaneouslyabundantstrikingsuchcaseindicateanimaltoxicalsowouldensurehonestlyexaminepositivecorrelationexistscollected30photographedthemvolumewidthremainedevencontrollingsuggestpatterntruesignpoisonoustheyhavetheoreticalpredictingindicatesquantitativewithinactingmetabolicallythereforelimitationfirst-yearSpainexactageunknownethanolpreservationmayalterapplieduniformlypseudoreplicationintraspecificsupportedwhilesuccessfullyworldwiderevisitingpreviouslygatheredflightmanipulationperformedtargetseveralvisitadditionallyanalysedealingpositionwhetherchoosevisitedcontainingoptnovelbaitedplaced60awaythentraineitheronceorcomparetakenfinddisplaceddemonstraterapidlylearnedreturncertainsignificantreductionlikewisemanipulatespendinglesseachmoreoverofferedjustmajorityfurthermorecontributebehaviouralconsideringmarginalisCapeProvinceSouthAfricaAfricanEntomology10.40010030220104CaucasianEntomologicalBulletin10.238851814-3326-2015-11-1-85-89degreeHungaryNaturaSomogyiensis10.24394natsom201119229manyEuropeancountryobserved1993documentationphotograph5ofexaminedstylopizedtheseexemplarparasitized18strepsipteranspecimensometaxonscientificnamerankpreferredcommonWonderfulWorldWaspsBugSquadArticleChrisAliceKratzerauthorLinkedInPhototerriblejam-packedpainangerloveusoutbluemindingownbusinesseatpicnicfrightenchildbuildhomecomplicatealready-stressfullifeEveryoneknowsbebetterwithoutSoprefacebookpublishedcompany2020OwlflyLLCwhatwritebelievepointessentialcomplicatedbeautifulIndeedplayimportantprovidebeneficialLookmapesticidelaborpassionatededicatedwrittenconversationaltonelongadmirersupporterwhogrewJerseycontinuerememberinteractingyesgettingstungassortedincludingcometerritorybecomeentomologistoptedengineerreceivedbachelorscience2019mechanicalengineeringRochesterInstituteTechnologyworkedYorkuntilTodayexecutivedirectormanagingdivisionPublishingopportunitydevelopmarketsustainablepotentialmitigationfascinatefoldintowantwhyhowdoiftellbuildingunderstandcycleorganismbeforetryingentangleecologicalmeaninginquilinecalledcuckooexploityoungcallfactcatchdismembertinywaistpreventeatingsoldfluidprimarymostgrasshoppercricketkatydidbeetleearthwormlanternflycockroachspidercicadaaren'tengineering-trainedprofessionalknowledgeablybeganher2018January25pathincludedholingCornellCollectionnetworkingexpertteachingherselfsoftwarealigngeneticbarcodespentclosethousandhourporingplatformidentifyingmappingstudyingcolorincredible400-pagebilledguideallarcticGreenlandAlaskatropicalPanamaGrenadacover20822generafeature900imagemacrophotographerpostingbringbackIowaStateProfessorAmyToth'sseminarDepartmentNematologytoldcrowdattackextremelycomplexfascinatingcreaturecoinedhashtagwasplovewroteillustratedItvarietyyellowjacketEurasianred-bandedAmericanblackjacketvolcanoGuatemalianEasternwidowpolka-dotprairieCaliforniaformdownyGermanknewthere'jacketsfamiliarelaborateknowdominulomeansmistressimpliesIntroduced1970ssincecontinentWomanLynnKimseyBohartMuseumdistinguishedtellingdifferencescavengertakeparticularlyseriousmentionUCStatewideIntegratedProgramwealthPestNotedistincttypefartroublesomeespeciallyground-cavity-nestingtendvigorouslydisturbedDefensiveincreasesprogressesscarcerprimarilystartaroundgarbagecandogcatwhereripeoverripeaccessiblelargecolorfultidbitsprinklethroughoutintriguinginstancePennsylvaniadespiteSomeonemislabeledoriginalAndrated2/5painfulSchmidtIndexBottomlineeye-openerpage-turnermind-boggleroffersapproachbelongslibraryscientistcitizencuriouspersonwantsincrediblydiverseamazingnextgatheringanti-socialfolkaskanyonesharingroseDavisCalifthirstysippingwaterfountainAgraulisvanillaeVacavilletuckedinsideWednesdayCincinnatiOhioamongchangedrecentlyovertakencounterpartStillUnitedadjacentbelongsamefamilyhornpottermasonborealcoolerdecidedlyhandfulreachingrarelyexceeding200unprotectedsuspendtwigstemsemi-protectedhangsturdyoftencoatedrepelchiefconstructionapparentdestinedlikelydeterminedstageacteventuallyassertleaveperformssecuringdevelopingoffspringharvestingfibersurfacedeadfencepostscrapeballdeftlypliesstripaddedexistingworthhavingheavilyWebwormgrabhairybutcherkillspotstrippingoffanyirritatinghairspineeasilyconsumeddirectlyshareturndistributeoccupyreachmaturityspinsilkendometopmoltshortlythereafterfreedomsolefertilizeWatchAugustSeptembereasythoughgenderselbowtapergoldenrodSolidagothroughwortEupatoriumevidentextremevariabilitypairdeepmarkingvaryconsiderablyDNAaddingmudsituationinsteadclarifyingshownbelowgoinglumpEnjoywatchingunlessantagonizegivestandingtip-toeraisingmakeperfectlypeacefulneighborPosted2:40AMEmailThisBlogThis!ShareXShareFacebookSharePinterestLabelsnature6commentShandaSeptember820105:26lovedgetneverfacedcan'twaitkidquestionleftendhibernateproducedReplyDeleteRepliesReplyOutprairieSeptember8:02keepingcabbagewormseenRepliesReplyAnonymousSeptember132:06PMbecominghereUpperPeninsulaMichiganpendulumseemsswungagoeverywherevanishinglyrarehaven'tagainhouserightRepliesReplyL.RShimerSeptember4:35headgalworkeverybodyelsekindaegalitarianRepliesReplyLarryMay9:34directedBevWigneyBTWlivedNEMissouridetailedpresentedThankscogentscientificallyaccuratesummaryinsect'slife-cycleRepliesBugEricMay3:47kindcomplimentsDeleteRepliesReplyReplyAddcommentLoadBlogcurrentlyreplyreaderhimselfWorkingresolveNewerOlderSubscribeAtomDemonizedhosting4p.m.SaturdayJan20Room1124AcademicSurge455CrockerLanecampusAttendeeschatcheck50,000vespideight-millionfreefriendlyParkingestimate2000describedinhabit500undescribedheadline-grabbinggiantVespamandariniaformerlyAsiannewsmediadubbedmurderhornetconfuseidentifysheetexamplehiddenrodentburrowwallhuge100,00willscavengemeatsugarsodahamburgerroadopen-facedcommonlylocatedannualdiecabbagewormwhitesuperbmuchdeliveredpresentationwebsiteinterestedmechanismevolutionhoneyCurrentprojectinvolvenovosequencinggenometranscriptomegenomicepigeneticregulatingnutritionvirushealthholddoctorateIllinoisUrbana–ChampaignGeneRobinsonpostdoctoralChristinaGrozingerunwelcomeyardpatioPreferringlikebeneathSometimesleglessgrublikeoutstretchedhand15relativelyunaggressiveproblemdoorwaylistearlierlepidopterancarryyeastwinemakingfermentationflavorwinefuscatusrecognizedevotedmotherdotefuryopinionhuman-likegreatcooperatoroverallundercurrentselfishnessmanifestperfectthemselvesmushroomlearning/memory10photogenicpeerpetalvisitorcampSierraNevadamountainwitnessedstingingcrowdedtableahsippedwonderedsayselsewherewhichfertilizedmustwarmsenoughlotproteinbabyneedsurvivedbecausedrierusualdealcompetinggomaintenancemodemaintainfuellargelyuselessstartedmidtrapsprayingremoved--thisdonenighthollowavailablenearbyhopewetbarbecueshyexceptdoorwindowhigh-trafficTypicallymatedmidsummerphaserequireceasesweetthingnormallymildcoastalSanFranciscosurviveinformativeYouTubevideoDistinguishingseethosedistinctiveputanotherOaklandRaiders'logoGiantssoakingsunabandonedPollinatorsArtistsdelightoverhangneighborhoodthoughtWowhangingliptrashvanishedTwitterassociateOrganismalProserpinus gaurae
proud sphinx moth, Proud Sphinx
Proserpinus gaurae is a medium-sized sphinx moth with distinctive orange and chestnut coloration. Adults are active primarily from April through August, with one or two generations per year. The species is notable for having the longest labial palps of any Proserpinus species. Larvae feed on evening primrose relatives and pupate in shallow soil burrows to overwinter.
SphingidaeMacroglossinaeMacroglossiniProserpinusproud-sphinx-mothProud-SphinxNorth-AmericaUnited-StatesMexicoevening-primroseOnagraceaeOenotheraGauraEpilobiumnocturnalspringsummerAprilMayJuneJulyAugust1797SmithSphinx-gauraemedium-sizedorangechestnutreddishwhiteblacklabial-palpssinuateforewinghindwingshallow-burrowoverwinterpupalarvaherbivorelepidopteristrearcollectprairiemeadowdisturbedopen-habitatTexasLouisianaFloridaAlabamaMissouriGeorgiaSouth-Carolinanorthern-MexicoTetralimonius ornatulus
Tetralimonius ornatulus is a species of click beetle in the family Elateridae. Based on available collection records, this species has been documented in western Texas and New Mexico, with specimens collected from soapberry (Sapindus saponaria) vegetation. Adults have been observed during late spring and early summer, with collection dates in May and June. The species appears to be associated with riparian and woodland habitats where its host plants occur.