The black witch moth is native to Central and South America but occasionally journeys northward. This individual, a female, was spotted a month ago at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. Black Witch Moth July 14, 2017 “The wind began to switch – the house to pitch And suddenly the hinges started to unhitch.
Black Witch Moth, Fly, Insect, Moth
Tortoise beetle larvae protect themselves from predators by creating a shield of distasteful items collected on forked structures at the tip of the abdomen. Tortoise Beetle July 7, 2017 Thar’s gold in them thar hills! But hold on a sec. Before you run for your pans and pick axes, we should probably clarify a couple
Bug, Insect, Tortoise Beetle
Honeybee swarms are colonies on the move. Swarming is the means by which honeybees propagate. Honeybee Swarms June 30, 2017 If you’ve ever moved to a new home, you know the tremendous amount of planning, preparation and coordination that must take place. A new home needs to be chosen, the old home needs to be
Bug, Hive, Honeybee, Insect, Swarm
Up, up and away! These recent spider hatchlings, which are of the species Argiope aurantia, commonly known as garden spiders or banana spiders, are preparing to disperse through a method known as ballooning. (Photo courtesy of Cathy and Steve Martens) Ballooning June 23, 2017 Balloons. Can you think of anything more festive? Colorful balls of,
Arachnids, Balloon, Spiders
Stoneflies, even the common species, are increasingly hard to find these days. This juvenile, also called a nymph, was found underneath a rock in Ferson Creek at LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles. Stoneflies June 16, 2017 (Ed. Note: This column is the last of a three-part series on the Fox River’s famous, or
Bug, Insect, Stonefly Nymph
An Ephemeridae mayfly rests next to its freshly cast skin. Mayflies are the only insects that experience a subimago, or sub adult, life stage in which they are winged and capable of flight but not fully mature. Mayflies June 9, 2017 (Ed. Note: This column is the second in a three-part series on the Fox
Bug, Insect, Mayfly
Also known as ‘river bugs’, caddisflies periodically emerge en masse from the Fox River and its tributaries. Their larvae live underwater for up to a year, and frequently are used as indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. River bugs are back June 2, 2017 Lots of people soon will flock to St. Charles’ annual extravaganza, Festival
Bugs, Insects, River Bugs
This bobcat is displaying both its ruff–the puffed-out fur around the cheeks–and ear tufts. Depending on the cat’s frame of mind, as well as individual variances, these characteristics may or may not be visible. (Photo credit: Sgarton at MorgueFile.com) Spotting the elusive bobcat May 26, 2017 Bobcats have been on my mind lately, and apparently
Animal, Bobcat, Cat, Spots
Afflicted with sarcoptic mange, this coyote recently was spotted in broad daylight near Randall Road in St. Charles. Sarcoptic Mange May 19, 2017 Itchy and Scratchy. They’re more than just cartoon characters on television’s The Simpsons. They’re also the way a number of St. Charles coyotes are feeling these days. Unlike the TV version, what
Coyote, Mange, Sarcoptic Mange
Those blaze orange, oozy and gelatinous growths on cedar trees are perhaps the most obvious phase in the fascinating life cycle of cedar-apple fungus. (Photo credit: pippalou at MorgueFile.com) Cedar-Apple Fungus May 12, 2017 Regardless of how long you live somewhere, or how well you think you know your surroundings, you’re one day bound to
Cedar Tree, Cedar-Apple Fungus, Fungus