Pollinator Posts by May Chen
The same limited suite of insects are found on the tarweeds at the Water Tank patch today. Here a tiny Metallic Sweat Bee, Lasioglossum (Dialictus) sp. (family Halictidae) is making its way through the flowers
On the way to the Radio Tower, the weedy patch on the little hill on the west side of the road beckons to me. While everything seems to have dried up, these Bull Thistles, Cirsium
I arrive at the small patch along the road that has not been mowed down. Two young Cobweb Thistles, Cirsium occidentale are still blooming side-by-side. Covered with pollen, a worn Bumble Bee, with balding thorax
When I arrive at the Coffeeberry bush near Bypass Trail I find to my delight that both the Pale Swallowtail caterpillars are safe on their respective home leaf. Both are now blue and much harder
A big round hole has appeared on one end of the wasp cocoon I have kept in a ventilated glass vial since 7/28/23. Apparently the parasitoid wasp, Hyposoter sp. (family Ichneumonidae) has emerged, but it’s
A small insect lands on the underside of a leaf of Coyote Brush, Baccharis pilularis. Tilting the stem, I see that the insect has ornately patterned picture wings. It is a Fruit Fly in the
A Seed Bug, Kleidocerys franciscanus (family Lygaeidae) is using its rostrum to feed on the developing seeds in the calyx of a Sticky Monkeyflower. The defining feature of Hemipterans or “true bugs” is their “beak” or rostrum
The Anise Swallowtail caterpillar is still on its California Yampah, Perideridia californica. It is draped on an umbel of flower buds, appearing more yellow than ever. I wonder if it has molted? Nearby, a Yellowjacket
Many of the Poison Oak along Skyline Trail near the Steam Train entrance have leaves spotted with punctate feeding scars. I wonder what bug is capable of feeding on poison oak? Small black dots
It is a cold, foggy morning. What a delight to be greeted with this at the Siesta Gate tarweed patch! A tiny caterpillar of the Small Owlet Moth, Heliothodes diminutiva (family Noctuidae) is binding the ligules
A Lacewing larva is resting on an immature fruit of Soap Plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum that is infested with aphids. Lacewings are insects in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. Adults are crepuscular or
Passing Bypass Trail, I arrive at the patch of Tarweeds under the Water Tank just before 11 am. There is a mixture of Elegant and Coast Tarweeds here interspersed between dried grass and withered California
Fitting perfectly between the flanges of a Sticky Monkeyflower calyx, a Seed Bug, Kleidocerys franciscanus (family Lygaeidae) is feeding on the immature seeds within, using its needle-like piercing-sucking mouthparts. Seeds are predigested with injected digestive enzymes, then
Passing the tall Soap Plant, Chlorogalum pomeridianum on Skyline Trail, I pause to check for the Two-tubercled Web-weaver Spider that I have found on the plant on 7/9/23. It is on the exact same immature fruit
It is much easier to observe insects on the Coast Tarweed along the paved road, in contrast to the impossibly dense stand at Siesta Gate. I don’t have to risk getting the sticky exudates on
I am relieved to find that the young Cobweb Thistles, Cirsium occidentale on the ridge have been spared the clear-cutting, as well as the Coast Tarweeds that surround it. I stop by this particular plant
This photo was taken yesterday morning, when I came to the tarweed patch at Siesta Gate, hoping to collect one of the parasitoid wasp pupae to rear out at home. As soon as I stepped
It’s great to catch the Elegant Tarweed, Madia elegans in bloom on a bright, cool morning. The cheery flowerheads will close as the day heats up in late morning. A Metallic Sweat Bee, Lasioglossum
A male Forked Globetail, Sphaerophoria sulphuripes (family Syrphidae) is foraging on an Elegant Tarweed, Madia elegans flowerhead. A Lygus Bug seems to be enjoying the morning sun. It is not feeding, as its rostrum (piercing-sucking
A False Flower Beetle, Anaspis atrata (family Scraptiidae) is feeding on the exposed flowers of California Everlasting, Pseudognaphalium californicum. False Flower Beetles, Anaspis atrata (family Scraptiidae) are commonly found in western North America. The adults are found on flowers,
Most of the more robust, older Cobweb Thistles, Cirsium occidentale have finished blooming, offering their plumed seeds to the wind. Fortunately, the younger thistles are still in bloom, providing an extended source of nectar and
On this calm, cool afternoon (6-7:15 pm) I take a leisurely walk along the paved road from Siesta Gate. I don’t expect to be taking pictures as the light is too low. This Woodlouse
What a delight! A flower spike of Hillside Rein Orchid, Piperia elegans shows up on the brushy side of the trail. The tiny green-white flowers emit a fragrance at night to attract pollinating moths. Most orchids
A Green Lacewing larva is roaming the flowerheads of California Everlasting. Note its sickle-shaped mandibles. Lacewings are insects in the large family Chrysopidae of the order Neuroptera. Adults are crepuscular or nocturnal. They feed on