A leafcutter bee burrows down on to an Aptenia haeckeliana flower. This flower is similar to the aptenia cordifolia, but is pale yellow instead of magenta.
Leafcutter bee
Category Archives: Insects
Large orange sulphur butterfly on a rose jatropha flower
I spotted this large orange sulphur butterfly feeding on rose jatropha flowers and was struck by the vivid display of colors.
Bee on a ribwort plantain
When I saw this bee I thought, I know that plant, but what’s the name of it? Well, it’s ribwort plantain, but my knowledge of it stems from many years ago when, as kids, we used to pick them, loop the stem around just below the head of the plant, and then jerk that loop forward to send the head of the plant zinging in the direction of the intended victim. It was amazing how far those heads would travel.
This bee is using the plant for more beneficial purposes.
Posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Perspective.’ See more responses here.
Praying mantis
This week’s Sunday Stills challenge theme is ‘Wild and Weird.’ See more responses here.
No matter how you look at them, there’s something wild and weird about praying mantises. They look like Popeye with that spindly body and bulging forearms (no pipe though). Parts of them look like they came off the production line with some assembly still required. They remain motionless for long periods, watching, waiting. When they do move, it’s with a constant back and forth motion to sneak up on prey. Then they strike like a cobra and make short work of their victims.
And yet I find that despite all this weirdness, there’s something endearing about them. They put up with intrusive photographers and they keep still for them. What’s not to like.
Also posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Perspective.’ See more responses here.
Abstracts: A spot of orange
There could be any number of unseen creatures in this hedge, but the right (or wrong depending on how you look at it) color will be noticed instantly, as in the case of this passion vine butterfly.
Posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Perspective.’ See more responses here.
That’s one way of looking at it
A passion vine butterfly gets a different look at a tasselflower.
Posted in response to Becky’s July Squares challenge theme of ‘Perspective.’ See more responses here.
Seven-spotted lady beetle
A seven-spotted lady beetle climbs a plant gone to seed, presumably looking for something to eat. I never see them catch anything, only see them busily investigating.
Fireweed control moth
A couple of different views of a fireweed control moth (Secusio extensa). This one wasn’t doing much of anything to control fireweed!
Graham's Island 