Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)
The adults overwinter and can be seen sunning themselves on warm spring days. The dark colouration of the body and wings helps to absorb heat. The caterpillars feed on willow, poplar, hackberry, and american elm.
Long Horned Beetle (Urographis sp.)
This tasty little bugger emerged from some rotting wood that I was keeping inside the house. Long horned beetles (Family Cerambycidae) are so called because of their exceptionally long antennae.
Parasitic Wasp (Family Braconidae)
You can tell that this is a female braconid wasp because of the long ovipositor at the tip of the abdomen which is used to inject eggs into the host animal. Braconids are another family of parasitic wasps which are sometimes used as biocontrol agents to control pest species.
Tenebrionid Beetle (Zophobas morio)
The larvae of this species is commonly sold in pet shops as food for all kinds of animals. The larvae will not pupate unless individually separated or are in low densities unlike the Yellow Mealworm Beetle (Tenebrio molitor) which is also used as a feeder insect.
Eastern Yellowjacket Queen
(Vespula maculifrons)
If you find a yellowjacket or hornet flying around in late fall or early spring then its likely a queen. During the fall the queens of many species, such as the bald faced hornet (Dolichovespula maculata) search for overwintering sites and can be common in rotting logs. Come spring the queens become acitve and emerge to start a new colony.
Asian Multicoloured Lady Beetle
(Harmonia axyridis)
This introduced species undergoes large population fluctuations and can be enormously common. This is the species of lady beetle which invades houses by the thousands every fall and which also has the nasty tendency to bite. This picture is of a small group of individuals which are hibernating underneath spruce bark.
Small Milkweed Bug (Lygaeus kalmii)
Milkweed bugs feed on the seeds of milkweed plants (Asclepias sp.). They sequester the cardiac glycosides present in the milkweed plant as a form of chemical defense against predators. As such they are brightly coloured to advertise their toxicity. This form of bright warning colouration used to deter predation is also known as Aposematic colouration.
Predaceous Stink Bug
(Family Pentatomidae, possibly Podisus sp.)
Members of this family are known for secreting foul smelling chemicals when held. Many pentatomids are plant feeders however this species feeds upon other insects.
Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
This species was introduced from Europe near Montreal in the 1860's. Since then it has become extremely common throughout North America. The larvae feed on cruciferous plants (Family Brassicaceae) and other related species.
Cabbage White Chrysalis
Wood Boring Tipulid (Ctenophora sp.)
The larvae feed on and burrow through rotting wood. This picture of an adult female shows the long ovipositor which she uses to lay her eggs in wood.
Ctenophora sp. larva
European Mantid Ootheca
(Mantis religiosa)
Gypsy Moth Egg Mass
(Lymantria dispar)
Ichneumonid Wasp (Family Ichneumonidae)
All members of this very large family are parasitic. Many are parasites of butterflies and moths and recently I was surprised to find that an ichneumonid emerged from a large moth cocoon that I had collected.
Centipede (Family Lithobiomorpha)
Centipeds have the front legs modified into fangs which inject venom into prey items. They are easily distinguished from millipedes which have 2 pairs of legs per body segment whereas centipedes have only one pair.
Tiger Beetle (Cicindela tranquebarica)
Tiger beetles are active predators of other insects. They can be found foraging along the ground in open sunny areas with different species occuring throughout the summer. Many species are very habitat specific and can only be found in small patches of suitable habitat. This species was found on a small patch of sand in Ken Reid Conservation Area just outside of Lindsay.
Mating Cicindela tranquebarica
Firefly (Family Lampyridae)
Many species of firefly are able to produce light by a chemical reaction which involves the chemical luciferin. Adults of some species mimic the light signal patterns of other species to lure them close so they can then prey upon them.
Pygmy Grasshopper (Tetrix sp.)
These cute little buggers overwinter as adults and can be found in early spring. They are common in wet areas but are hard to find as they are only around 1cm when fully grown and cryptically coloured.
Common Sawfly (Family Tenthredinidae)
The larvae are polyphagous and some can become serious pests. The adults are characterized by having the abdomen broadly joined to the thorax.
Dung Fly
(Family Scathophagidae, possibly Scathophaga sp.)
The larvae of this species feed on animal feces while the adults prey upon other insects.
Sap Beetle (Family Nitidulidae)
These colourful little beetles are attracted to fermenting substances as such will often fly into your beer.
Unidentified Diptera
I'm not great at identifying flies but if I find out what species this is I'll let you know.
Mosquito (Anopheles sp.)
Many species in this genus overwinter as inseminated females. This genus is generally characterized by long maxillary palpi, pigmented wings and larvae that lack respiratory siphons. Mosquitos in this genus spread malaria.
Acadian Hairstreak (Satyrium acadicum)
The larvae of this species are reported to feed on willow (Salix sp.). The adults and larvae are commonly found in damp meadows.
Aphid (Family Aphididae)
Aphids feed on plant sap using their thin piercing mouthparts. They excrete the excess water and sugar from the sap which many ant species readily consume. If you look closely at any plant with aphids on it you are likely to see a number of ants guarding the aphids and feeding on their sugary secretions. Many species of aphid are serious plant pests and are also among the major vectors of plant diseases.
Camel Cricket (Family Rhaphidophoridae)
Northern Green-Striped Grasshopper
(Chortophaga viridifasciata)
The nymphs of this species overwinter and are common in early spring. This species is somewhat sexually dimorphic with the majority of males being grey/brown while the females tend to be green. They feed primarily on grasses and are not considered an economic pest.
Unidentified Diptera
Bald-Faced Hornet
(Dolichovespula maculata)
This species builds large paper nests which are generally suspended from trees. Queens will disperse in the fall to find sites in which to overwinter. When spring arrives they will form new colonies.
Plant Bug
(Lygus sp.)
Plant bugs feed on plant fluids by piercing them with their sucking mouthparts. It is estimated that plant bugs from the genus Lygus are pests of over half of all agricultural crops in North America. Adults overwinter and are extremely common in spring and throughout the summer.
Goldenrod Gall Fly (Eurosta solidaginis)
The females lay their eggs in goldenrod (Solidago sp.) stems and the larvae cause galls to form. The larvae overwinter in the galls and the adults emerge the following spring. Before pupating the larvae create and exit tube for the adult to crawl out of. This is necessary as the adult flies lack chewing mouthparts and would otherwise be trapped inside the galls. To get through the final layer the emerging flies use an inflatable organ on the head called a ptilinum to pop through the last layers of the gall.
Stag Beetle (Platycerus virescens)
This photograph shows the large mandibles of the males of this species of stag beetle. Females have much smaller mandibles which makes them easy to distinguish from the males.
Black Ant (Formica sp.)
As the genus name suggests this species of ant produces formic acid which is used to deter predators. Some birds will rub ants on their feathers to use the chemicals they contain to repel parasites.
Water Strider (Gerris sp.)
These insects dwell on the water surface where they search for prey. Like other true bugs they will feed by piercing their prey with their beak like mouthparts and then sucking up their internal fluids. Water striders spread their long legs to distribute their weight over the water surface allowing the surface tension to keep them from sinking. This process is much like using snow shoes to distribute a persons weight over a greater area.
Infant (Archiearis infans)
This member of the family Geometridae appears on warm days in early spring. The infant is the only species in the genus Archiearis in North America and is one of only two species in the subfamily Archiearinae in North America. The larvae feed on birch trees.
Honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Crossline Skipper (Polites origenes)
This skipper is using its proboscis to suck up moisture from a wet log in a swamp. The proboscis is coiled when the butterfly is not feeding.
Ambush Bug (Phymata sp.)
Ambush bugs are another predaceous group of hemipterans (true bugs). They will sit on top of flowers waiting for prey to come within reach. They then use their raptorial (grasping) forelegs to quickly grab the prey. Once the prey has been caught the bug will pierce it with its mouthparts and inject a neurotoxin as well as digestive enzymes.
Cicada (Okanagana rimosa)
That loud annoying buzzing sound made on hot days during the summer is made by these amazing insects.
Flat Bark Bug (Family Aradidae)
Bugs in the family Aradidae use their extremely long and slender mouthparts to feed from fungal mycelium. Many species are closely associated with specific species of trees and the fungus species which feed on them.
Virginia Ctenucha (Ctenucha virginica)
The larvae of this attractive day flying moth can vary in colour. It is though that early spring individuals like the one on the left are darker to absorb more heat from the sun while summer individuals tend to be lighter. Larvae feed mainly on grasses and sedges.
Click Beetle (Family Elateridae)
Click beetles are so named for their incredible ability to spring upwards when placed on their backs by using a projection on the thoracic segment. The process is similar to snapping your fingers. The force causes the beetle to flip into the air sometimes with an audible "click" which is used to startle predators as well as to flip the beetle upright if it has fallen on it's back.
Flower Fly (Helophilus fasciatus)
Female
Green Metallic Bee
(Family Halictidae, Tribe Augochlorini)
This species forms balls of pollen which it stores in tunnels that it excavates in rotting wood. When the pollen balls are large enough the female lays an egg in the tunnel for the larvae to feed on. You can often find several adults each in their own separate tunnels by searching under the bark of rotting wood.
Red Flat Bark Beetle (Cucujus clavipes)
This flat beetle is well suited to life underneath tree bark where it feeds on other subcortical insects. The larvae of this species is also found underneath tree bark and is similarly flattened. The photo below shows how thin the adult beetles are.
Weevil (Family Curculionidae)
Canadian Tiger Swallowtail
(Papilio canadensis)
Bumble Flower Beetle (Euphoria inda)
Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella)
Tiger Beetle (Cicindela scutellaris)
Goldenrod Crab Spider
(Misumena vatia)
Promethea Moth Caterpillar
(Callosamia promethea)
I found several of these caterpillars feeding on Sassafras (Sassafras albidum).
Longlegged Fly
(Family Dolichopodidae)
Pearly Wood Nymph (Eudryas unio)
Mydas Fly (Mydas clavatus)
The larvae of mydas flies feed on wood. The second photo shows the pupal case through which the adult mydas fly has emerged.
Grapeleaf Skeletonizer
(Harrisina americana)
The caterpillars will eat around the leaf veins leaving a leaf "skeleton". The top photo is of an adult female laying eggs on a grape leaf (Vitis sp.).
Flower Fly
(Family Syrphidae)
Pale Green Weevil
(Polydrosus sp.)
Stable Fly (Stomoxys calcitrans)
The larvae of stable flies feed on decomposing vegetation such as rotting hay and shoreline debris. Both sexes feed on blood unlike mosquitos and deer flies in which only the females take blood meals. Stable fly populations fluctuate wildly throughout the summer and they can emerge in large numbers during a single day and disappear almost as quickly.
Broad-Headed Bug
(Alydus sp.)
The nymphs of this species mimic ants. This mimicry provides these bugs with protection from predators because ants are generally very well protected chemically and are avoided by many predators.
Ant Lions
(Myrmeleon sp.)
&
(Brachynemurus abdominalis)
Two species of ant lions (Family - Myrmeleontidae) are shown here. The top photograph is of an ant lion larvae which constructs pits in the sand with which they use to trap insects. They will flick sand with their mandibles at passing insects to try and get them to fall into their pits. Ant lion larvae are able to eat ants which are generally well armed with defensive chemicals. They accomplish this task by avoiding any parts of the ants which contain the chemicals such as defensive glands. Ant lion adults look much like damselflies with longer antennae. The bottom photograph is of a adult ant lion species which as a larvae does not construct pits in sand but instead lives in tree holes.
Click Here to see an Ant Lion Larvae bury itself
Ants guarding Aphids
(Crematogaster sp.)
The ants protect the aphids from potential predators such as lady beetles and in return the aphids feed the ants with "honeydew" which is a sugary liquid they excrete. Ants will move aphids to different plants and some species even tend aphids underground on plant roots. While taking this photograph the ants were swinging their abdomens wildly trying to sting my hands.
Goldenrod Leaf Beetle
(Trirhabda canadensis)
The adults and larvae of this species eat the foliage of goldenrod (Solidago sp.) and can be extremely common. When approached they will fall to the ground which makes them tricky to photograph.
Large Milkweed Bug
(Oncopeltus fasciatus)
This species is the hemipteran "lab rat" as it is commonly used as a lab animal because they are easy to keep and breed in captivity. In the wild adults and larvae can be found feeding on milkweed (Asclepias sp.) seeds. The large milkweed bug does not overwinter in Ontario but instead migrates north each year.
