Cool Finds this Week!

The first American Snout I have seen in Lambton County in 3 years showed up in Canatara this week! It surprisingly stayed within 2 square metres and I was able to take many pictures. The common name comes from the long mouth parts that look like a "snout".

There is only one species of Snout in North America. This American Snout is attempting its best "leaf" imitation which would be more effective at the forest edge.

An Eastern Tailed Blue, soaking up the sun! Both males and females have a tiny, thread-like hair on the hind wing. With wings open, they are 16-26 mm across. The species overwinters as a mature caterpillar, often tucked inside a seed pod!

The ROM Field Guide to Butterflies of Ontario, Peter W. Hall et al. 2014

Male Monarch on Missouri Ironweed, an important source of nectar as he continues his southward migration!

Orange Sulphur on Goldenrod.

Common Green Darner, hiding in the meadow: It is a member of one of the most abundant dragonflies in North America. They are one of the first dragonflies to be seen in the spring and can still be found in late fall. Green Darners are skilled aerial predators, eating many types of flying insects, such as flies, gnats, moths, butterflies, mosquitoes and even smaller dragonflies.

https://entomology.umn.edu/common-green-darner

Meadowhawks in a mating wheel.

The Shadow Darner is most active in shaded areas; thus the name Shadow Darner! It is known to feed out in the open very late into the evening and even into darkness.

https://fieldguide.mt.gov/speciesDetail.aspx?elcode=IIODO14190 (Dunkle 2000, Paulson 2009).

A Common Yellowthroat popped up high enough for me to see it. It spent most of the time searching for food at ground level.

An Osprey landed directly across the water from where I was standing. It likely nested at the "embedded turtle toy" structure that I posted about in July.

Can you see both Praying Mantis' that are mating? They are very well camouflaged, right in the middle of the photo. It is time for the females to lay eggs before the arrival of cold temperatures! The adults will not survive the winter.

I usually find at least one Brown-hooded Owlet caterpillar each year, but I just learned the name has changed....

Instead of the adult moth being called a Brown-hooded Owlet, it is now known as an Asteroid Shark! So perhaps sharks really can fly???

Dewy Spider Webs suspended in Common Teasel.