Insects

[Oaktavia]

Found this beautiful buck moth on the road while walking with my wife and son. I put it on a nearby tree. I looked them up and read that the months emerge this time of year to mate, lay eggs and die within a week.

[SKT]

@Oaktavia that’s a beauty and new to me. Such cool markings

[Oaktavia]

@SKT I had never heard of or seen one before either. It was a super fun little interaction and made my morning.

[SKT]

@Oaktavia I love when seemingly small things have an outsized effect. I’ve been the same with trees in our neighborhood changing colors this past week. Always has a positive impact on me

[twin]

@Oaktavia Someone caring about nature. Not just stumping it into the ground.

[Oaktavia]

@SKT oh yes trees have a profound impact on me. I have been enjoying identifying Hickory trees this year in my neighborhood.

[Oaktavia]

@twin said in Insects:

@Oaktavia Someone caring about nature. Not just stumping it into the ground.

Definitely my friend

[twin]

@Oaktavia I have been in nature since I was a little kid like 4 years old.

[Oaktavia]

@twin said in Insects:

@Oaktavia I have been in nature since I was a little kid like 4 years old.

Same here my friend

[Sage954]

First pic is 9am. Second is 6pm. I’m guessing female based on size?

[endo]

Aglais io, the European peacock

[Sir_Cuffs-a-Lot]

very rad

[SKT]

Beautiful

[motojobobo]

That’s a looker!

[twin]

Look out. Hornets.

[nurunuru]

Pelecinus polyturator. Took this pic years ago. Always exciting to see!

[Oaktavia]

@nurunuru wow what a wild looking insect.

[nurunuru]

@Oaktavia said in Insects:

@nurunuru wow what a wild looking insect.

Right?! Would not want to be a June bug grub around that gal

[motojobobo]

Curious as to what the utility of that outrageous abdomen is…any idea @nurunuru ?

[nurunuru]

@motojobobo said in Insects:

Curious as to what the utility of that outrageous abdomen is…any idea @nurunuru ?

Yep. It's an ovipostor, so only the females have it. The female is able to sense where June beetle grubs are underground and then lay eggs directly inside 'em.

So it's H.R. Giger-esque in both appearance and life cycle!

Also, despite being a wasp, it is sans stinger.