Category Archives: Insects

The Numbers Game #41

A small plane flies low over Upolu Airport, Hawaii. — A fly-in at Upolu Airport.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 162. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

A praying mantis and a fly — A fly on a praying mantis.

Street art in Hawi, Hawaii — A fly on a praying mantis.

A dry cow pasture in North Kohala, Hawaii — Dry pasture at Upolu.

Irrigation in North Kohala, Hawaii — Dry pasture at Upolu.

The Numbers Game #40

A boat anchored off the beach at Anaehoomalu Bay in Hawaii — A Covid-year photo of a sailboat anchored off a deserted Anaeho’omalu Bay beach.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 161. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Also, seven photos posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

A Cliff Ladder used by fishermen on the North Kohala Coast, Hawaii — A ladder used by people fishing, to access a rugged shore.

Palm tree reflections at Place of Refuge in Hawaii — A ladder used by people fishing, to access a rugged shore.

Goats drink from a pond at Pu'uhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park — Goats take a drink at a pond in Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Yuccas alongside the road to Kamuela, Hawaii — Goats take a drink at a pond in Puʻuhonua o Hōnaunau National Historical Park.

Seriously subdued spider in seven shocking scenes

A Yellow-legged mud-dauber Wasp stuffs a paralysed spider into a hole as future food for its offspring.

At work recently, I was alerted to the presence of an odd wasp, with a ‘sac’ under its body, trying to get into a small hole in the window frame. I grabbed my camera, opened the window, and took photos.

It quickly became clear that the ‘sac’ was a spider, and not a tiny one either. What was less clear was whether the wasp would succeed in its quest. I assume the hole is a drainage outlet, but what the wasp was up to was less clear. A little research cleared that up.

The wasp is a Yellow-legged Mud-dauber Wasp (Sceliphron caementarium). Not sure what kind of spider it is, but I do know its days are numbered. Sadly for the spider, it will not be a swift end. According to Wikipedia, “After building a cell of the nest, the female wasp captures several spiders. The captured prey are stung and paralyzed before being placed in the nest (usually 6-15 per cell), and then a single egg is deposited on the prey within each cell. The wasp then seals the cell with a thick mud plug. After finishing a series of cells, she leaves and does not return.” Notice that the spider is paralyzed, not dead. Got to have fresh food for the kids!

Posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

Nothing rhymes with orange

An orange kayak waits on the waters off Spencer Beach Park.

This week’s Sunday Stills color challenge theme is ‘Orange or Peach.’ See more responses here.

Also, seven squares posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

A small box of Junior Mints for Halloween trick or treaters. Yes, there are orange centers.

Passion Vine Butterflies at Upolu Hawaii — A small box of Junior Mints for Halloween trick or treaters. Yes, there are orange centers.

Finally, a trio from the Hilo Orchid Show.

A Oncostele Brazilian Sun 'Samba' orchid at the HIlo Orchid show — An Oncostele Brazilian Sun ‘Samba’ orchid.

A Cynorkis gibbosa orchid at the HIlo Orchid show — An Oncostele Brazilian Sun ‘Samba’ orchid.

The Numbers Game #37

The SSV Makani Olu sailing off the Kohala coast in Hawaii — The SSV Makani Olu sailing off the Kohala coast.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 158. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.

Also, seven photos posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

A Nene at just the right spot in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Colorful lava on the Puna Coast Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

Playground equipment in Kapaau Hawaii — Colorful lava on the Puna Coast Trail in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

A square deal for bugs

A Seven-spotted ladybug on a leaf in Hawaii — A Seven-spotted Lady Beetle pauses on a leaf.

This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘All about bugs.’ See more responses here.

Also posted for Becky’s Squares: Seven. See more responses here.

Ants and aphids on a crown flower leaf in Hawaii — Ants farming aphids on a Hawaiian Crown Flower leaf.

A Black Soldier Fly in Hawaii — Ants farming aphids on a Hawaiian Crown Flower leaf.

The bugs in the next gallery were all on the same Monstera leaf, which had accumulated falling flowers from a palm tree.

A Fly in Hawaii — A Scholastes bimaculatus fly rummaging in the flowers.

A Banana Stalk Fly in Hawaii — A Scholastes bimaculatus fly rummaging in the flowers.

The Numbers Game #35

A gold dust day gecko drinks from a bird of paradise flower. — A Gold Dust Day Gecko drinks from a Bird of Paradise flower.

The idea of The Numbers Game is to enter a number into the search bar of your computer and then post a selection of the photos that turn up. This week’s number is 156. Captions are on the photos. You can see more responses here.