Quail surveys start at sunrise. Additionally the protocol says we must be finished by 8am. Each survey point should be done three times. So this will take a couple of weeks to complete the whole survey. After the morning survey there will be time to do a hike or a driving tour before it gets too hot. This day was a driving tour.
The chorus of birds were singing. However only one Bobwhite was heard that morning. And it was not at an “official” survey point. But still a quail eh!
After the survey we stopped at a grove of Western Soapberry trees. Soapberry trees are the host plant for the Soapberry Hairstreak butterfly. None were found. However other treasures were found like this katydid. Certainly it blended into its surrounding!
Next up this bug. Perhaps a hopper but not at all certain. Safe to say it is an insect. š
A tiny spider that was mostly abdomen. LOL
Beautiful tiny Goldeneye Lichen!
A Green Lacewing’s egg on a stick. š
Indeed a spiky exuvia. However not a Soapberry Hairstreak. Their larvae are similar to other hairstreaks which are sorta flattish and segmented. I have not found a larva YET. And it might be the wrong time of year to look. š¤·š»āāļø Anyway this may be the exuvia of a Twice-stabbedĀ LadyĀ BeetleĀ (ChilocorusĀ stigma).
Adults were nearby like this one. It would be interesting to know why the common name. I searched but did not find a clue for its name. However like all in that genus they are predators of aphids, scale and other insects. Maybe it has to do with its eating habits. Perhaps a hint… stigm (G) means a spot or pricking??
With a little nudge from Jeanne, the Twice-stabbed Lady Beetle (Chilocorus stigma) seemed to be floating across the lichens!
I almost didnāt see the katydid. And the cute beetle looks like itās carrying a helmet on its back.
I see the helmet now. š
The katydid’s camouflage is outstanding!
I always assumed the twice-stabbed was because it had two red spots, like blood.
I like that assumption š