The days are getting (slightly) shorter, the nights are cooler, and the last of the fireflies still flicker in the night sky. Summer seems to be flying by, but there’s still so much to explore before it’s over. I hope you’ll join me on a quick virtual exploration to see nature as it’s happening!
Blue dasher dragonfly
This month’s nature update focuses on the various types of insects you might come across if you were to head outside right now, like the blue dasher dragonfly (pictured above). I found this one in my garden perched on a leaf and was fascinated by its large eyes. They are so much different than our own and it got me wondering what life looks like to them.
It reminded me of a recent camping trip we took just a couple weeks ago. A speedy horsefly was doing laps around my wife Carolyn, looking for an opportunity to land and take a bite. Unable to swat the horsefly, she continued unpacking her things, when out of nowhere a dragonfly swooped in and grabbed the horsefly mid-flight! The dragonfly’s eyesight and speed was extraordinary! Wanting to learn more, I found this short video explaining how dragonflies see the world. I highly recommend watching it!
White-marked tussock moth (caterpillar)
Moving at a much slower speed, this caterpillar that looks like it came straight from an episode of the The Twilight Zone, is the caterpillar form of the white-marked tussock moth. The small “tussocks” or hairlike structures on the caterpillar actually have backwards-angled barbs that cause them to stick into predators, much like the defense of a porcupine. While I had no interest in eating this particular caterpillar, it’s good to know that they can be quite pokey if you were to touch one.
Common looper moth
Speaking of moths, I also recently stumbled upon a creature that looked nothing like a moth, but apparently was. At first glance it looked a small piece of bark from a tree or a shriveled-up leaf, but upon closer inspection, it had legs and wings! I can only imagine how effective this camouflage would be if it were resting on a brown tree branch.
Not knowing what it was, I did a little research and determined it was a common looper moth. Supposedly it got the name “looper” based on its movement as a caterpillar. If you’ve ever seen an inchworm cruising along, the looper has a very similar movement.
Reddish-brown stag beetle
Lastly, I’ll leave you with this terrifying photo of a beetle that I discovered while out with our Prairie Partners intern crew at Patrick Marsh. It was easily two inches long, and was ready to use those pinchers at the drop of a hat! It’s called a Reddish-brown stag beetle and the next time I find one, I’ll take my photo from a little further away!
Finding cool things in nature is easy, you just need to get outside. I hope you take the time to explore, and I look forward to sharing another nature update with you next month.