Backyard Finds!

I've been busy planting native species which attracts native butterflies and other pollinators. Five Monarch Butterfly caterpillars have been hanging out on some orange Butterflyweed.

An American Lady rested on the Pussy Toes and Pearly Everlasting in our native garden. The butterfly will lay eggs on both of these plant species.

A Common Picture-winged Fly made an appearance. The larva of this species prefers dead and decaying organic material. It has a remarkably large snout that makes the face look like an old-style gas mask!

https://mdc.mo.gov/discover-nature/field-guide/picture-winged-flies

The round circles in the leaves of my Sugar Maple Tree is evidence of Leafcutter bees. I need to keep an eye out for little bees "flying around on green magic carpets" again this year!

A jumping spider found a snack while hiding in the butterfly weed!.