SpruceHaven, St. Agatha, ON

 22 August, 2025

     We had promised Pam a return visit to SpruceHaven in order to see more of the splendour of the place, and to meet Dave.

     As soon as we got out of the car, I spotted a Western Honeybee (Apis mellifera) on the ground, apparently foraging.

     This aroused my curiosity. The surface there was moist; was it seeking water, or do honey bees prospect for minerals? There seems to be remarkably little in the literature on this topic, but I did find a paper by Kalimah Redd Knight (2017), wherein it is postulated that in the fall when pollen is not abundant bees search for "calcium, magnesium and potassium, all commonly found in pollen, by foraging in compound-rich or "dirty" water."

     A Horned Squash Bug (Anasa armigera) rested quietly.

     Squash (Cucurbita moschata) seems to grow randomly alongside the barn where mulch and other soil treatments are delivered. You will note an insect, too small to identify with certainty, but good to see anyway.  

     A Dame's Rocket Moth (Plutella porrectella) was not keen to attract attention and remained motionless.

     Brown-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia triloba) is an attractive, much-loved flower, and it was blooming prolifically.

       Honey bees were active at the hives.

   

     I don't know what this piece of equipment is, but it is evidently related to the bee-keeping operation.

Meadow Spittlebug (Philaenus spumarius)

     Similar Pelochrista (Pelochrista similiana) is a beautifully patterned moth; I had never seen one before.

     It is not unexpected that we should find it at SpruceHaven, where goldenrods (genus Solidago) are abundant. The larvae of this species feed exclusively in the rootstalks of their host plant. 

     Ancistrocerus is a type of Potter Wasp that nests in a variety of situations including beetle borings, holes in mortar walls, hollows in metal structures and some make mud nests attached to rocks, walls or twigs.

    The following insect is in the tribe of plant bugs, Mirini.

     As has been mentioned in other posts, several species of Meadowhawk (genus Sympetrum) are so similar, that without definitive ID features it is best to just refer to them as Meadowhawks.

     Asian Ladybeetle (Harmonia axyridis) is yet another species of foreign invader among the native fauna of North America.

     This is a species that will bite humans and given the opportunity will roost in your home during the winter, often in large numbers.

     These are Amber Snails (family Succineidae); I know almost nothing about them, but they appear to be different species.

     Here is Pam getting down for some close shots.

     Amphigonalia gothica is a species of Leafhopper found east of the Rockies.

     Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) is a wonderful component of the riotous bloom of the restored prairie.

     A Common Eastern Bumble Bee (Bombus impatiens) industriously went about her business.

Switch Grass (Panicum virgatum)

     A Cross Orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) had ensnared a victim in its web and went about the task of preparing it for consumption.

     In this instance, I am confident about the identity of this dragonfly; it is a Ruby Meadowhawk (Sympetrum rubicundulum). 

     Very handsome, too.

     A Maize Calligrapher (Toxomerus politus) was a species I had not seen before.

     Here is another Cross Orbweaver showing its very distinctive markings.

     I am not sure who erected this sign, or when, but it is a welcome marker for those unfamiliar with SpruceHaven.

     A Mountain Ash (genus Sorbus) bore a full crop of berries.

     They will provide important sustenance for birds in winter.

     I cannot resist showing just a few more Brown-eyed Susans.

     If one may have a favourite Flower Fly, then Transverse-banded Flower Fly (Eristalis transversa) would be mine.

     A Goldenrod Crab Spider (Misumena vatia) was waiting for unwary prey to come within reach.

Common Hoptree (Ptela trifoliata)

     A couple of Japanese Beetles (Popillia trifoliata) showed the damage they can do.

     The skeletonized leaf has a sort of macabre beauty to it, don't you think?

     Thanks, as always to Miriam's work behind the camera. These posts wouldn't be the same without her.