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
Tag: Insects
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
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
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
Driving The Ecotour Road In Grasslands National Park
On our first full day at Grasslands National Park, after waking up very early and having a hearty breakfast, we took the advice of our hostess and set out to drive the Ecotour Road to the Borderlands Lookout. It was a relaxing way to start our explorations on the heels of a very long travel day. Read more
Cecropia Moth Caterpillar in Rouge National Urban Park
On a late summer afternoon, Bob made a brief stop at North Reesor Pond in Rouge National Urban Park in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His intention was to look for shorebirds, but with none presenting, he began to scour the reeds and bushes for insects. That is when he happened upon this most unusual caterpillar, a Cecropia Moth Larva. Read more