This gallery contains 2 photos.
While walking through an alder thicket on the Paradise Meadow Trail at Lassen Volcanic National Park (California), I noticed a caterpillar gorging itself on alder leaves. I took a couple photographs hoping to identify the caterpillar. Not being an entomologist … Continue reading
This gallery contains 3 photos.
My impression of Japanese insects was that they are often larger and more colorful than many of their North American “relatives”. Often I see them referred to as being “more scary”. I find many of these insects fascinating. This impatiens … Continue reading
A year after the Cove Fire consumed over 30,000 acres of the Modoc National Forest, the site along Forest Road 40N11 that Leonard and I are monitoring is rapidly recovering. Over the last year we recorded many mammal, bird, … Continue reading
This gallery contains 4 photos.
There are over 100 species of underwing moths (Genus Catocala) in America north of Mexico. Many look similar and are difficult for the amateur to tell apart. Based on range, physical traits and larval hosts, I believe this specimen is … Continue reading
This gallery contains 3 photos.
Although the species name of the yellow woolly bear (Spilosoma virginica) refers to the State of Virginia, this moth is found in wet forests and meadows throughout much of North America. Appropriately, an alternate common name for S. virginica is … Continue reading
This gallery contains 4 photos.
The fingered dagger moth, also commonly called an alder dagger, was formerly classified as a separate species, Acronicta hesperida. This “western form” is now included in Acronicta dactylina and is no longer a separate species. Fingered dagger moth caterpillars are covered … Continue reading
This gallery contains 2 photos.
The white-lined sphinx (Hyles lineata) usually flies at dawn and dusk, although it also flies during the day. This specimen was photographed at Ash Creek Wildlife Refuge (Modoc County CA) in the late afternoon, although it was an overcast day. … Continue reading
