Monthly Archives: July 2014

Nesting Northern Cardinals

Posted on July 31, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

A few weeks ago my wife and I noticed that a family of Northern Cardinals (Passeriformes: Cardinalidae: Cardinalis cardinalis) had taken up residence in a barberry bush (Berberis sp., Berberidaceae) next to our front door. It seemed like an odd place … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Ichneumon wasp

Posted on July 30, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

There are perhaps 60,000 to 100,000 species of Ichneumon wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) throughout the world, and these abundant insects can be found almost anywhere. One night last week I noticed this individual resting on an interior wall of my garage. Female … Continue reading →

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Barn Swallow chicks almost ready to leave the nest

Posted on July 29, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Historically Barn Swallows (Passeriformes: Hirundinidae: Hirundo rustica) built nests in caves and along rocky recesses, but over the last few hundred years they’ve learned to exploit the abundant and solid structures built by people. After migrating from Central and South … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Woolly locoweed

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Like other locoweeds, woolly locoweed (Astragalus mollissimus, Fabaceae) gets its common name from a peculiar effect it has on grazing animals. This plant produces a toxin known as locoine, an alkaloid that causes sheep, cattle, and other herbivores to “go loco” and exhibit … Continue reading →

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Just your typical country road in Michigan…

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Living and working in rural southeast Michigan, I spend a lot of time driving along gravel country roads. Along the way I get to see a fair number of interesting plants and animals. The largest animals to be found here are white-tailed … Continue reading →

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Plant-Insect Interaction: Spicebush swallowtail on a common buttonbush

Posted on July 27, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Spicebush swallowtails (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae: Papilio troilus) are relatively large butterflies that can be found in a variety of habitats in eastern North America. Adults spend much of their time feeding on the nectar provided by a number of flowering plant … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Canaigre dock

Posted on July 26, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Canaigre dock (Rumex hymenosepalus, Polygonaceae) is a rather unique plant that is native to the southwest United States and northern Mexico. This member of the buckwheat family can be found growing in sandy soil at lower elevations, and is well-adapted to the dry climate. … Continue reading →

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White-tailed prairie dog

Posted on July 25, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Although the black-tailed prairie dogs (Rodentia: Scuiridae: Cynomys ludovicianus) of the Great Plains are the most common, most widespread, and best-known prairie dogs, there are four additional species that can also be found in North America. Among them are the white-tailed prairie dogs (Rodentia: Scuiridae: … Continue reading →

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Stuff I’m Reading: “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abbey (3)

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

“A man could be a lover and defender of the wilderness without ever in his lifetime leaving the boundaries of asphalt, powerlines, and right-angled surfaces. We need wilderness whether or not we ever set foot in it. We need a … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Robber fly

Posted on July 23, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Robber flies (Diptera: Asilidae) are sometimes also known as assassin flies, and for good reason. These stout-bodied predators routinely hunt down a variety of insect prey, some often larger than themselves. Wasps, bees, dragonflies, and grasshoppers are usually on the menu. They’re … Continue reading →

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Great Blue Heron on the hunt

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Throughout the summer Great Blue Herons (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae: Ardea herodias) can often be seen in and around a variety of North American waters. These large birds spend a lot of time in both saltwater and freshwater environments, wading and patiently waiting for prey. Once a … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Pale evening primrose

Posted on July 21, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Pale evening primrose (Oenothera pallida, Onagraceae) is an eye-catching native of the North American west. Found growing in arid regions from British Columbia through Texas, it’s often seen in desert shrublands and pinyon-juniper woodlands. This primrose features thick reddish stems and long, … Continue reading →

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The decline and rise of burrowing mayflies in western Lake Erie

Posted on July 20, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

The decline and rise of burrowing mayflies (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae: Hexagenia spp.) in western Lake Erie represents an excellent example of how humans have the capacity to both ruin and save the world. Although our pollution decimated these insects and disrupted food webs, … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecology, Entomology, Environment, General, Organism Interactions, Random Insect, Vertebrate Zoology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Random Plant: Scarlet globemallow

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Native throughout arid regions of the North American west, scarlet globemallow (Sphaeralcea coccinea, Malvaceae) can be found inhabiting deserts, prairies, scrublands, and pinyon-juniper woodlands. This sun-loving perennial is highly tolerant to both drought and salinity, making it well-adapted to these xeric environments. The … Continue reading →

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Happy Anniversary

Posted on July 18, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

4 years 7.4 GB of photos 609 posts 0.42 posts per day 92,884 views 66 mammals 56 birds 15 reptiles 9 amphibians 8 fish 257 insects 17 arachnids 3 gastropods 1 cephalopod 312 plants 89 trees 35 national parks 162 travel topics 609 comments 37,203 spam comments blocked *Fanfare*

Posted in General | 3 Comments

Black-throated Sparrow

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Black-throated Sparrows (Passeriformes: Emberizidae: Amphispiza bilineata) are relatively easy to identify thanks to their bold facial markings and, unsurprisingly, black throats. These small birds inhabit desert scrublands of the western US and Mexico. They have a high tolerance for heat and can go … Continue reading →

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Plant-Insect Interaction: Carpenter ant on a red maple

Posted on July 16, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Carpenter ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Camponotus spp.) get their common name from the habit many species have of nesting within wood. Many nest within trees, and some species are considered pests because they attack buildings. Carpenter ants don’t eat wood, however, they … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Narrowleaf stoneseed

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Blooming throughout the spring, narrowleaf stoneseed (Lithospermum incisum, Boraginaceae) produces some impressive yellow flowers. Although the petals are less than an inch (2.5 cm) across, their long and slender structures can exceed an inch and a half (4 cm) in length. The trumpet-shaped flowers … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Flower longhorn beetle

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

Although superficially similar to other flower longhorn beetles, the species shown here (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae: Strangalia luteicornis) has a rather unique appearance. It has a more slender body than other species in its subfamily, as well as a thorax that is longitudinally striped … Continue reading →

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Stuff I’m Reading: “Desert Solitaire” by Edward Abbey (2)

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Jeremy Sell

(A Man from Cleveland):  “If you had more water (in southeast Utah) more people could live here.” (Edward Abbey):  “Yes sir. And where then would people go when they wanted to see something besides people?” –Edward Abbey, “Desert Solitaire“

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