You can bet I worn my winter coat for this morning’s walk. However, the cool morning does have some advantages.
Too chilled to move, a Non-biting Midge (Chironomidae) on Virginia-creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia). When I first glanced at it I thought what a long antenna.
However, as BugGuide says the front legs extended above the head forward at rest is characteristic of the midges.
Hover Flies or Syrphid Flies are great pollinators. Plus the larvae will eat aphids.
The paddle-like antennae are so cute with the tiny bristles sticking out.
Next, it crawled on my finger. The paddles at the end of the proboscis are called labellum.
Look at the proboscis probing me! It was so light or I was too cold to feel a thing. LOL.
A spittlebug (Lepyronia) larva had crawled out of its spit on a Prairie Parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii).
Prairie Parsley (Polytaenia nuttallii) are starting to bloom!
Nestled in an umbel was a couple of aphids like this one.
I checked out the Rabbit’s Tobacco (Diaperia prolifera) but found no American Lady butterfly larva today. This plant is one of the host plants for it.
My last bug of the morning, Eggplant Tortoise Beetle (Gratiana pallidula) or Clavate Tortoise Beetle (Plagiometriona clavata) on Western Horse Nettle (Solanum dimidiatum).
Thats the cutest fly ever. Parsley sure is blooming everywhere now.
The Prairie Parsley does seem to be doing great this year. Agree very cute fly 😊
I love tortoise beetles!! None of my silverleaf nightshade is up yet…
I have not noticed any Silver-leaf either.