Hexapods and one spider!
Hexapoda proper noun – six-legged arthropods; a taxonomic group (subphylum or superclass) comprising the insects as well as three smaller groups of wingless arthropods: Collembola (Springtails), Protura, and Diplura (Two-pronged Bristletails). Hexapod noun – a member of the Hexapoda. (Source: BugGuide.net)
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2BCommon2BOblique2BSyrphid2B2528Allograpta2Bobliqua25292Bthistle2Bhome2B252862529.jpg?resize=640%2C596&ssl=1)
Common Oblique Syrphid (Allograpta obliqua) on a thistle. This is a type of a hoverfly. We found this and the next insect on the morning walk here at the house.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40482B2BAsian2BLady2BBeetle2B2528Harmonia2Baxyridis25292Bthistle2Bhome.jpg?resize=640%2C480&ssl=1)
Asian Lady Beetle (Harmonia axyridis) on a thistle. It has more spots than the Seven-spotted Ladybug I posted yesterday. This species can have lots spots to no spots.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40612B2BLong-jawed2BOrb2BWeaver2BTetragnathidae2Bfamily2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=342%2C640&ssl=1)
Long-jawed Orb Weaver (Tetragnathidae family), a favorite of mine! The rest of the stuff in this post is from the grasslands.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40642B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Bgreen2Bfloating2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
What was the green ball doing in the creek?
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40682B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Bgreen2Bfloating2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
It was a gall from off the red oaks overhead!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40702B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Bgreen2Bfloating2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Another one with red spots on it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40732B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Blarva2Binside2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
This one was floating in the creek too, but it was open on the bottom.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40772B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Blarva2Binside2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Time to investigate, of course.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_40792B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Blarva2Binside2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
The hairy stuff was really awesome looking!
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_41202B2B2Bred2Boak2Bgall2Bin2Bcreek2Blarva2Binside2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
At the very center there was a hard ball that had the larva.
![](https://i0.wp.com/lookingout.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/IMG_41152B2Bsmall2Bcutworm2Bcaterpillar2Bwhite2Bhoneysuckle2Bbuds2Bunit2B48.jpg?resize=480%2C640&ssl=1)
Cutworm on White Honeysuckle (Lonicera albiflora)!
More photos from the grasslands in the next couple of posts.
I thought maybe gracie lost a tennis ball 😂
Thanks for inside look at gall. Never looked before.