Insects

Bamboo Brook

Sherry Felix5 Comments

I found a new place to visit in Morris County, New Jersey: Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center / Gardens | Morris County Parks (morrisparks.net). It is about an hour’s drive from New York.

“Bamboo Brook Outdoor Education Center, located on 687 acres, was once known as Merchiston Farm and was the home of William and Martha Brookes Hutcheson from 1911 to 1959. Bamboo Brook’s original 100 acres was donated by the daughter of Mrs. Hutcheson. Ms. Hutcheson one of America’s first women landscape architects attended Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s School of Architecture and Planning, along with other famous women garden designers of that time, including Marion Coffin and Beatrix Farrand. …” 

Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Beetle in Daylily, Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Widow Skimmer (Libellula luctuosa), Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Variable Dancer (Argia fumipennis), Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Ebony Jewelwing (caloteryx muculata), Willowwood Arboretum, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Herzog Brook, Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Daylily, Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Cricket on Daylily, Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Cricket on Daylily, Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022
Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta), Bamboo Brook, NJ 6/29/2022

Sandy Hook

Sherry Felix8 Comments

We went on a botanical walk during the annual Littoral​ Society (littoralsociety.org) picnic at Sandy Hook, part of Gateway National Recreation Area.

I learned how a little window on the seed pod opens on the Clasping Venus’ Looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata) and the seeds tumble out.

American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa) and American Copper (Lycaena phlaeas), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Signs of Leafcutter Bees (Megachile), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Cat Greenbriar (Smilax glauca), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Prickly Pear cactus (Opuntia humifusa), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Woolly Plantain (Plantago patagonica), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Grass, Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Family Dolichopodidae – Longlegged Flies, Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Family Dolichopodidae – Longlegged Flies, Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Clasping Venus’ Looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022
Clasping Venus’ Looking-glass (Triodanis perfoliata), Sandy Hook, NJ 6/25/2022

Ward Pound Ridge

Sherry Felix6 Comments

Second post for June 4 trip covering other flora and fauna.

Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Pickerel Frog (Lithobates palustris), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Spider eating a cranefly, Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Arrowhead Spiketail (Cordulegaster obliqua), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Cricket, Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Geometer moth, Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
cricket, Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Dwarf Dandelion (Krigia virginica), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Oxeye Daisy (Leucanthemum vulgare), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Agreeable Tiger Moth (Spilosoma congrua), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Hickory Tussock Moth (Lophacampa caryae), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Luna Moth (Actias luna), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
White-blotched Heterocampa (Heterocampa umbrata), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Crocus geometer (Xanthotype sospeta), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Rose Hooktip (Oreta rosea), Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022
Ward Pond Ridge 6/5/2022

Pine Barrens Fauna

Sherry Felix12 Comments

In addition to butterflies we saw other insects and amphibians. I was pleased to be able to identify the Red Velvet and Ant which is actually in the wasp family.

Red Velvet Ant (Dasymutilla occidentalis), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Six-spotted Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela sexguttata), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Beautiful Tiger Beetle (Cincindela formosa), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Appalachian Tiger Beetle (Cicindela ancocisconensis), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Spider, Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Orchard Orbweaver (Leucauge venusta), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Jumping spider with prey, Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Mantled Baskettail (Epitheca semiequea), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Skimming Bluet (Enallagma geminatum), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Northern Cricket Frog (Acris crepitans), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022
Leopard Frog (Rana), Pine Barrens, NJ 4/24/2022

Jamaica Bay

Sherry Felix12 Comments

We had a brief but rewarding trip out to Jamaica Bay in Brooklyn, New York on the 15th of August. I added a few new odonates to my life list. I learned the word odonates from my fellow Linnaean NY members. September starts the new Zoom meetings and they are free. You may attend one from anywhere or view a recording of one if the timing isn’t right linnaeannewyork.org. The first one on September 14 will be about Bats.

  • Reed grass (Phragmites), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Short-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus griseus), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Rambler’s Forktail (Ischnura ramburii), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Northern Bluet (Enallagma cyathigereum), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Marsh Bluet (Enallagma ebrium), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/16/2021
  • Silver-Spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Common Buckeye (Junonia coenia), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021
  • Two-spotted or a Blue-winged Scoliid Wasp (Scolia dubia), Jamaica Bay, NY 8/15/2021

Chandler and Calverton LI

Sherry Felix7 Comments

Yesterday we went to the Chandler Preserve in Mt Sinai, Long Island, New York with the Linnaean Society of NY. After the main field trip was over a few of us went to a field by the Chandler VOR-DME nearby.

  • Mt Sinai Congregational Church, Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Cabbage White (Pieris rapae), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) female, Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Belted Kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon) female, Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Eastern Osprey (Pandion cristatus), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Great Egret (Ardea alba), Chandler Preserve b6/19/2021
  • Mute Swan (Cygnus olor), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) and White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Chandler Preserve b6/19/2021
  • Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Silver-Spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Black Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Black Swallow-wort (Vincetoxicum nigrum), Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Dutzia, Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
  • Chandler Preserve 6/19/2021
Chandler Preserve (above)
  • Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Blue Toadflax (Nuttallanthus canadensis), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Braken (Pteridium aquilinum), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Nodding or Musk Thistle (Cardus nutans), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
  • Nodding or Musk Thistle (Cardus nutans), Calverton VOR-DME 6/19/2021
Calverton VOR-DME (above)

Ward Pound Ridge Insects

Sherry Felix25 Comments

Our second trip to Ward Pound Ridge was with The Linnaean Society of NY. It was a good trip and even though it was not ide3al weather, cloudy and cool, we saw a number of butterflies. On here – one there. Marc spotted the Checkerspot. The clumsy landing in the series of the black flying soldier beetle amused me. The last photo is by Marc.

This is one of two posts of the Butterfly Field Trip led by Richard Cech on June 12, 2021.

  • Harris’ Checkerspot (Chlosyne barrisii), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • European skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • European skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • European skipper (Thymelicus lineola), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Appalachian Brown (Satyrodes appalachia), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Little Wood Satyr (Hermeuptychia hermes), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia) male, Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia) female, Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Small Bee-like Fly (Toxomerus marginatus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • 1 Soldier Beetle (Podabrus rugosulus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • 2 Soldier Beetle (Podabrus rugosulus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • 3 Soldier Beetle (Podabrus rugosulus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Soldier Beetle (Podabrus rugosulus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Red Milkweed Beetle (Tetraopes tetraophthalmus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Milkweed Bug (Oncopeltus fasciatus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Two Striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus bivittatus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Polished Ladybug (Cycloneda munda), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Water striders (Gerridae), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021
  • Sweat Bee (Agapostemon), Ward Pound Ridge 6/12/2021

Ward Pound Ridge Insects

Sherry Felix12 Comments

We went to Ward Pound Ridge in Westchester County, New York last weekend during a heatwave. Most critters were hiding away form the heat.

  • Common Whitetail (Libellula lydia), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Aurora Damsel (Chromargion conditum), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Ward Pond Ridge 6/6/2021
    Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Ward Pond Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Ward Pond Ridge 6/6/2021
    Zabulon Skipper (Poanes zabulon), Ward Pond Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Question Mark (Polygonia interrogationis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Hobomok Skipper (Poanes hobomok), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Morbid Owlet Moth (Chrytolita morbidalis), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • White-spotted Sable (Anania funebris), Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Insect, Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021
  • Small cricket, Ward Pound Ridge 6/6/2021