Along the Air Line Trail

Along the Air Line... 2007 - Summer, Part 4
The Air Line Trail in Eastern Connecticut - Stan Malcolm Photos

July 13th. Japanese Beetles (Popilla japonica) on Tick Trefoil (Desmodium canadense). One pest species attacking another.

Japanese Beetles are in the Scarab Beetle family.

A Giant Resin Bee (Megachile sculpturalis) in the Leafcutting Bee family Megachilidae, on Sumac (Rhus sp.).The Giant Resin Bee was introduced from Asia to North Carolina in 1994 and has spread quickly. It nests in abandoned Carpenter Bee tunnels. Learn more.

A Spider Wasp (Family Pompilidae), also on Sumac flowers.

Fringed Loosestrife (Lysimachia ciliata).

A Bumble Bee (Bombus sp.) on Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis).

Canada Lily (Lilium canadense).

Bracted Plantain or Buckhorn (Plantago aristata). After nearly 6 years walking the Air Line Trail, this is the first time I've seen this plant. Learn more about it here.

Smartweed (Polygonum sp.).

Grape (Vitis sp.).

July 14th. Little Wood Satyr (Megisto cymela).

"Leaf miners" are insect larvae that spend their lives between the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf. This one entered the leaf as an egg near the tip, then chewed its way to the base while following the contour of the leaf's edge. As the larva grew, the track got broader, and ended when the insect emerged as an adult to fly away.

Female Gypsy Moth (Lymantria dispar).

July 15th. Chicory (Cichorium intybus).

Besides bumblebees, the chicory was visited by Halictid Bees (Family Halictidae, top) and Flower Flies (Family Syrphidae, bottom).

July 16th. A Viceroy caterpillar (Limenitis archippus) preparing to transform into the chrysalis stage. The butterfly is a close mimic of the familiar Monarch. The Viceroy caterpillar resembles a bird dropping.