Western Tiger Swallowtail

Monday, May 26th, 2008

Western Tiger Swallowtail, Papilio rutulus
Shipley Nature Center, Huntington Beach, 2008-05-26

Large black and yellow butterfly sipping from flower
(more…)

West Coast Lady

Friday, March 14th, 2008

Brown, orange and white butterfly
West Coast Lady, Vanessa annabella
San Joaquin Wildlife Refuge, 2008-03-11

I saw this one as soon as I pulled into the parking lot after work. It was clearly a lady, but didn’t feel quite right for either Painted or American. I had to go home and check the field guide, and it did prove to be a uniquely west coast species.

Sara Orangetip

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

Orange-winged white butterfly
Sara Orangetip, Anthocharis sara
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, 2008-03-02

I think this is my first new butterfly since I moved to California.

Harlequin Bugs

Saturday, March 1st, 2008

Black and orange true bugs mating
Harlequin Bugs, Murgantia histrionica
San Joaquin Wildlife refuge, Irvine, CA, 2007-02-18

Despite the warm weather, there aren’t a lot of macroscopic insects out here in southern California just yet. These are the first really interesting ones we’ve found.

Migratory Grasshopper

Tuesday, February 26th, 2008

Migratory Grasshopper
Migratory Grasshopper, Melanoplus sanguinipes
McCormick Place, Chicago, Illinois, 2007-07-27

Millipede

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008

Millipede on cut stump
Ophyiulus pilosus
Ridgewood Reservoir, Queens County, 2007-10-20
(more…)