GOOD YEAR FOR BUTTERFLIES

Overall last year was a down year, but this year I have seen more Tiger Swallowtails than normal and there seems to be a lot of painted lady butterflies (Vanessa cardui) around in the last few days. Monarch populations also seem stronger than last season.


Painted-lady

ORB WEB SPIDERS

During the late summer the colorful orb web spiders (Family Araneida) are common. They include over 200 species in the US . They make large webs in shrubs and grassy areas. They do not see well and depend on the vibrations in the web to tell when they have captured a meal. They are harmless but can get as large as a quarter. For spider information see http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/housingandclothing/DK1033.html.


Araneus-spider

NOISE AT NIGHT

The rattling or buzzing call in tress at night is cause by a male longhorned meadow grasshopper. There are a number of species and include the true katydids and brush and bark crickets. They are large green grasshoppers with antenna as long or longer than the body (picture taken by Mary Ann Krohen Buenzow/ DNR Forester).

ODD CRITTER OF THE WEEK

This critter is called a thread legged bug (also called stilt legged assassin bugs). It looks like a skinny walking stick but is really a type of assassin bug that feeds on insects. They can sometimes be found near spider webs waiting for prey.

237 Russell Labs
1630 Linden Drive
Madison, WI 53706
608/262-3227

For more information contact: 
Phil Pellitteri, 608/262-6510
or e-mail Phil Pellitteri.