Yesterday, I got an invitation to tag along with Jeff Quayle and Jeanne. Of course I accepted whole heartily! Jeff is an extraordinary self-taught botanist. He conducts plant surveys for public and private individuals. If you do Facebook (I don’t), you can find him there. He would be happy to hear from you. Anywho, that was the mission, a plant survey for Cari on her twelve acres in Jack County. Jeff had been to Cari’s before. It will take multiple trips to get a good list.
I met Jeanne at her house and off we headed to meet up with Jeff and Cari. Let the adventure begin!
Texas Ironclad Beetle (Zopherus nodulosus haldemani) was my first cool find! According to Texas Insects (Dress and Jackson) not much is known about them. However, adults are thought to feed on lichens. So this Bois De’Arc tree did have some lichens. Very handsome creature! And this was only my second encounter with this species. First time was here at home.
A colorful true bug nymph was on the gayfeather (Liatris)
Cari had a couple of small ponds with sumpweed (Iva annua) around them. It likes wet areas.
An interesting plant.
Even when dry!
Multiple of these Owlet Moth (Noctuidae) caterpillars were found on the sumpweed. I was sorry I couldn’t bring one home, no sumpweed at my house.
Jeanne spotted the Banded Argiope (Argiope trifasciata) amongst the sumpweed!
Yet another spider on the sumpweed. This lady Lynx Spider was guarding her egg case! Good parent.
Indeed, the dried Gumweed (Grindelia) was beautiful!
Oh my goodness the Pokeweed next to a brush pile was vivid red! The berries are a favorite of birds.
It was still a bit chilly. So the Texas Paper Wasp (Polistes apachus) were a bit lethargic. They had found a nice home in a nest box. Good predators so I always leave them in my nest boxes.
The Prickly Pear cactus’ pads (Opuntia) were big. And the spines were pretty large too. Yikes!
The cochineals were surprisingly not hidden under the waxy stuff.
Indeed, the face of a Cardinal Jumping Spider (Phidippus cardinalis) is definitely cute!
The last find was a Brother (Raphia frater) on ragweed. No kidding that is its common name. Lepidopterists come up with great names. Of course I had to bring him to join my foster family! 😉 Thanks Cari for allowing me!
And that was my wonderful day! Great fun with great people and the outdoors. 🙂
Keep looking!
The more you know, the more you see and the more you see, the more you know
It was a delight to have you, Jeanne, and Jeff out for a visit. I learned so much and saw the land through new sets of eyes! Please come visit any time.
Looks like a fun adventure!!
What a great exploration! And now your countertop zoo has a Brother!
Ha ha ha ha ha! Good one!
I want the cardinal jumper. Great pics of all especially spiders
Thanks!
It was a delight to have you, Jeanne, and Jeff out for a visit. I learned so much and saw the land through new sets of eyes! Please come visit any time.
Cari, You have big project ahead but so glad that y’all are trying to work the native nature’s way. Thank you for the invitation.
So sorry I missed this outing! It sounds like you had a wonderful cast assembled.
It was beautiful day😊 wished you had been there too.