Measuring right around 4 mm, or just over 1/8 in. in length, the polished or ‘spotless’ lady beetle is one of our area’s native ladybug…
Can You Spot a Spotless Lady Beetle?
Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles
Two long-horned beetles found themselves attracted to the light, and each other, on a recent summer night. Good Natured: Late-night Love with Long-horned Beetles July 1, 2022 The other night, even though I was dog tired, I stepped outside for a bit of fresh air before bed. It’s a simple exercise, one I take part
Bees, Wasps and Impostors!
Oh, bees. We think we know them, but do we really? A couple of recent incidents reminded me that bees-that familiar group of herbivorous and…
Mantidflies
So the other day I went to Delnor Woods Park in St. Charles to take some photos of Joe Pye weed, a favorite summertime bloom.…
Spittlebugs
We’ve all heard the saying, “Snug as a bug in a rug.” But this time of year I often find myself adding, “Some bugs are…
Tiger Beetles
I’ve never, by any stretch of the imagination, been considered quick. I can’t dash, I don’t dart. In fact, the only time I recall moving…
Cicada Killers
Full disclosure: This column originally ran in August 2012. I’d intended to run it again last week, as it seemed like it was time to…
Great Black Wasps
Back in the day of Saturday morning cartoons, one of the more memorable commercials (and one of the more annoying, if you ask my mom)…
Crane Flies
The other night a large, mosquito-like insect was flying around the kitchen. I waited until it landed, then let it outside. Not five minutes later,…
Stag Beetles
The heady aroma of fine cigars. The rise and fall of male voices, punctuated with deep, booming laughter. It didn’t take a girl popping out…