Summer doesn't technically end until this Sunday, so here is one more batch of summer insects seen around the city. I've had a really great time learning about insects new to me, as well as finding some of my favorites.
I tried all summer to catch one of these perched. I saw plenty of them flying around me and hovering, but it wasn't until this last weekend that one obliged me and posed for some photos.
Check out the ragged wings.
Despite being in bad shape, this dragonfly seemed to have no problem flying and hawking insects.
I think these are some of the most beautiful dragonflies. And they're about as big as my hand!
The harsh sunlight kind of washed out the vibrancy of the colors on this individual, but it's a rainbow of purple, blue, yellow and green.
This male kept resting in the sun on flat surfaces, making him easy to spot.
I like his overall chalky look, contrasted by his huge shiny eyes and minty green mouthparts.
I've posted photos of Cicada Killers before, but I can't get enough. This female (below) has a damaged wing, but that didn't stop her from zipping around, keeping other wasps out of her territory.
She means business!
This is a different individual getting ready to enter her burrow.
This is a new insect for me. The scape moth is very small - maybe 1/2 an inch - and I only noticed it because it landed on a flower at my foot. The yellow collar appeared very bright in person.
Unlike the scape moth, this dagger moth is perfectly camouflaged as it rests on the side of a stone marker. I might not have seen it if it hadn't been obscuring some text.
Skipper butterflies were numerous this summer, but this was the only Silver-Spotted I encountered.
I couldn't get a photo of this butterfly with its wings open, but I think the undersides are more interesting anyway. The pattern is intricate and colorful.
One of these butterflies is in better shape than the other, who has worn and faded wings.
I made a point to count all the Monarchs I saw while out birding or walking. Sadly, I found very few this summer. This is a butterfly I grew up knowing as being numerous and widespread. Each one I find now is special.
According to the Center for Biological Diversity, Monarch populations have dropped by over 80% in the last twenty years. It breaks my heart to think we could lose this species in my lifetime.
The easiest and most immediate action we can take to help the endangered Monarch is to plant milkweed.
This article lists several more ways to save these butterflies as well as helping out our native insects.
Previously:
Summer Insects
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