Jean found this Luna Moth caterpillar mid-August on our cottage deck here in Ontario, Canada. From what we can see, this caterpillar is in its 5th instar, the 5th molt, which is the last instar for this type of moth. Read more
Category: Insects and Spiders
Photography of insects and spiders we have observed during our travels.
Buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles in the Kalahari Desert
A day after visiting the Witsand Nature Preserve Kalahari, in South Africa, Bob and I continued on our journey east from Upington. Next in our sights was Kuruman, which is considered the Oasis of the Kalahari. It was at a roadside stop en route that we were buzzed by CMR Blisterbeetles, the largest insects we’ve ever seen. Read more
Goldenrod Crab Spider – Messenger From Another World
It is not often that we get to see a Goldenrod Crab Spider here in Ontario, Canada. Legend has it that these white spiders are messengers from another world. The indigenous people in Canada believe that white spiders are linked to wisdom and creation. Read more
Grape Leaf Beetle On The Move
Bob and I were out hiking on the edge of a forest in Ontario, Canada, when we came upon this intriguing-looking insect called a Grape Leaf Beetle. Read more
A Ball Of Cross Orbweaver Spider Babies
A neat “find” in our backyard recently was a ball of spider babies, hundreds of Cross Orbweaver spiderlings. Read more
Magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth
Sometimes the pace of life can be just so daunting that it is near impossible to simply slow up and smell the flowers. Well, one spring, as we prepared to smell the Lilac blossoms, this magical Hummingbird Clearwing Moth appeared out of nowhere and stole the show. Read more
Butterflies and Blossoms Near La Fortuna Waterfall
After a morning spent admiring La Fortuna Waterfall, Bob and I trudged back up the 500 steps to the top of the valley. By that time, we were ready for lunch. Read more
Monarch Butterflies Are On The Move In Toronto
One fall in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, we came upon a flutter of Monarch butterflies at Colonel Samuel Smith Park on the edge of Lake Ontario. The winds were brisk out of the northwest, and as a result, the butterflies were staying very low.
Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies in Ontario, Canada
We were really struck by the beauty of the Baltimore Checkerspot Butterflies that we observed in Toronto. This is a species that we had never seen before. Read more