And now for something completely different: Insect macro photos

I put in some Rudbeckia laciniata in the front garden this year (Tall coneflower) which I had had in another spot and really liked. However, that other spot definitely didn’t get as much sun because that stand definitely doesn’t get 7 feet tall and absolutely covered in flowers like this bunch. I’m actually probably going to have to move it because it’s way too tall for the space. This is a total bummer because it attracts the best selection of bugs. Primarily it gets small butterflies and bumblebees, but here’s a selection of the different insects I’ve found on it recently:

Goldenrod Soldier Beetles
goldenrod soldier beetle

Thread-waisted Wasp
Thread Waisted Wasp

One of a bunch of nondescript butterflies.
Butterfly

Possibly two different species of bumblebee. I’m good enough to know the difference between bumble, honey, mason, and sweat bees but that’s as good as it gets.
Bumblebee

I believe this is Xylocopa micans – Southern Carpenter Bee. Either that or it’s a carpenter bee from Europe and that would be not good. The only reason I know this (compared to the [shrug emoji] bumblebees) is because I googled and got the European bee first and had a bit of a freak out about invasive species. Then I did a bit more digging in the genius.
Bumblebee

I also spotted a robberfly eating a housefly which was the whole reason I grabbed my camera but by the time I got back out there, it was gone.

Thursday Pics

Red Devil Crab

Micro Crab

New crustacean pets. The top crab is a Red Devil crab, which is a terrestrial rainforest crab. They can live in water for a bit, but will eventually drown. They really prefer to be on damp, humid land so I’m creating a vivarium for them.

The second is a Thai micro crab. This is a true aquatic crab who’s body maxes out at about the size of a pencil eraser. They’re living in the aquarium I have at work right now with a bunch of cherry shrimp. I rarely see them as they are well camouflaged and are quite small.