Backyard and Beyond

Starting out from Brooklyn, an amateur naturalist explores our world.

As John Burroughs said, “The place to observe nature is where you are.”

So Many Insects, So Little Time


Agapostemon splendens, obviously.
Looking like something out of 1950s science-fiction, the Tersa Sphinx.
Shining flower beetles.
Spittlebug nest.
Sumac leaf wrapped around… something invertebrate. There are leaf-folders and leaf-rollers; perhaps a tortricid moth caterpillar did the work here. There’s another in the background, too.
Pondhawks are known to be voracious predators. This female was eating a captured butterfly, a Cabbage White by the look of it.
The common Eastern Bumblebee is Bombus impatiens. The flower is jewelweed, i.e. Impatiens capensis.
Pearly Wood-nymph caterpillar, not to be confused with
The Eight-spotted Forester being eaten by a Spined Soldier Bug.
Common House Centipede. Harmless but “hairy.” Actually not harmless to other creatures you might not like having around the house…

Happy Labor Day.

Leave a comment