A Few Insects and Arachnids Seen at Home

     People often talk of the wonderful event of intellectual Man - the appearance of insects with other senses is more wonderful.

Charles Darwin

     For those who care to look (and be entranced) there are insects, spiders and other arthropods aplenty around your home - a world of wonder right on your doorstop sometimes literally.

Zebra Jumping Spider (Salticus scenicus)

     This is a very attractive little spider; here is a female with prey which she has literally jumped on to capture, as the name implies. Her keen eyesight enables her to find prey (e.g. flies, mosquitoes) with precision and capture them with lightning speed. 

     How can you fail to love a spider that consumes mosquitoes? Better invite them to your next lunch on the patio!

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)

     For several years now we have scanned the Rue (Ruta graveolens) in the garden and have brought in the eggs of Black Swallowtail to raise them indoors, safe from predation by birds and ichneumon wasps.

     Most pupae hatch the same year but sometimes a few enter diapause and we overwinter them in our garage, to hatch the following spring.

     This is one of two that brought us joy in this manner. We have others now at the chrysalis stage (this year's batch) and they should be hatching soon. 

Barn Funnel Weaver (Tegenaria domestica)

     Barn Funnel Weaver favours human structures to build its web, being especially attracted to cracks and crevices which serve as shelter and concealment.

     This species builds a funnel web, and when it detects prey at the entrance to the funnel it rushes forward at great speed to capture its hapless victim to be dragged to the back of the funnel to be eaten.

One-banded Mason Wasp (Ancistrocerus unifasciatus)

     Mason wasps are named for the type of nest they build. Most species are solitary and all pack a powerful sting. They are a gardener's friend inasmuch as they control populations of undesirable caterpillars.

     They show remarkable restraint in stinging humans only infrequently, despite our constant interference in, and disruption of, their lives.

Discoloured Renia Moth (Renia discolaris)

     Not a great deal is known about this moth, other than it appears to feed almost exclusively on dead leaves and other detritus. The rest of its lifestyle is largely unknown and awaits further study.

Large Lace-Border Moth (Scopula limboundata)

     This beautiful diurnal moth really does convey an impression of laciness. Viewed from a distance, however, it resembles bird droppings, no doubt an effective defence mechanism.

     Its caterpillar takes the form of an inchworm, providing much delight for children.

Asiatic Wall Jumping Spider (Attulus fasciger)

     An attractive spider that has found its way from Asia and is fond of human dwellings. It demonstrates the ease with which arthropods move from one continent to another in an era when thousands of container loads of fruit and other produce - and products - arrive at North American ports daily.

Flesh Flies (family Sarcophagidae)

     Flesh flies differ from most flies in that they are ovoviviparous, and give birth to live maggots which are deposited on carrion, dung or other decaying material. Protein is critical for the developing young, but adults will also feed on nectar and other sweet substances.

Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa) and Swamp Milkweed Leaf Beetle (Labidomera clivicollis)

     If you have never grown Butterfly Milkweed in your garden I highly recommend it to you.

     It is vivid, dramatic, bold and beautiful and requires no care at all. It is a perennial plant and comes up year after year - a feast for the eyes - and for a variety of insects too.

     Swamp Milkweed Beetle may often be found, brightly coloured and superficially resembling a lady beetle.

     Eggs are laid on the leaves and the plump-bodied larvae feed for a few weeks before dropping to the ground to pupate in the soil.

Green Pug (Pasiphila restangulata)

     Green Pug, a night-flying moth is present in June and July. It is occasionally observed during the day  and Miriam was quick off the mark to take this picture.

     I don't know much of its habits or breeding biology and my reference books have proven of little help.

     It's a lovely insect, however, and that will have to suffice.

     

     There are more, but that's probably enough for this time. I hope you will enjoy this brief account and perhaps emerge from reading it a little more kindly disposed to organisms that are critical to all life on Earth.