Category Archives: Organism Interactions

Random Insect: Tiger bee fly

Posted on July 30, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

This summer I have been noticing quite a few of these distinct large flies hanging out around my house in southeast Michigan. At first glance I thought they were in the horse fly family (Tabanidae) but they are actually in the bee … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Manzanita

Posted on June 6, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Found throughout large areas of the North American west, manzanitas (Arctostaphylos spp., Ericaceae) are common inhabitants of chaparral and other arid shrublands and woodlands. Made up of dozens of species, these woody plants grow as bushes or small trees and can be … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Mule-ears

Posted on May 29, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Mule-ears (Wyethia amplexicaulis, Asteraceae) are relatively conspicuous herbaceous plants found throughout much of the western United States. These sunflower relatives feature long, broad leaves that resemble mule ears as well as numerous large yellow flower heads. They inhabit the intermountain west and are most … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Short-tailed Ichneumon Wasp

Posted on May 13, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Ichneumon wasps are perhaps the largest animal family on the planet, made up of between 60,000 and 100,000 different species. Approximately 5,000 to 8,000 can be found in North America, and of these eleven are of the genus shown here … Continue reading →

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Strut Your Stuff

Posted on May 11, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Wild Turkeys (Galliformes: Phasianidae: Meleagris gallopavo) are found throughout large areas of the United States and Mexico, especially in the east. They are particularly common in the Cataloochee Valley of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Males turkeys begin courtship in … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Cutleaf Toothwort

Posted on May 9, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Appearing in eastern woodlands in April and May, cutleaf toothwort (Cardamine concatenata, Brassicaceae) exhibits the four-petaled flower arrangement typical of members of the mustard family.  Its large flowers and relative abundance early in the season make it a favorite of insect pollinators. … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Scarites Ground Beetle

Posted on May 8, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Of the nearly 3,000 known species of ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae) that inhabit North America, seven of them are members of the genus Scarites. These insects can be found in lawns, gardens, and fields throughout the spring and summer. They are relatively large and grow … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Spring Azure

Posted on April 26, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Found in woodlands throughout much of eastern North America, spring azures (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Celastrina ladon) are rather eye-catching little butterflies. Relatively small in size, it is easy to overlook these insects when they are resting. The simple black-and-white pattern on … Continue reading →

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Random Fungi: Turkey Tails and Kin

Posted on April 25, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

One of the most common forest fungi in North America is the turkey tail (Polyporales: Polyporaceae: Trametes versicolor). Found year-round on decaying hardwood trees and sometimes conifers, this mushroom gets its common name from its colorful, fan-like similarity to the tail of … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Tachinid Flies

Posted on April 24, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

There are over 150,000 described species of flies (Diptera) in the world, making them one of the most diverse animal orders on the planet. Although they are divided into over 160 families, a full seven percent of all known fly species … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Yellow Trout-Lily

Posted on April 21, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Found in moist woodlands of eastern North America, yellow trout-lilies (Erythronium americanum, Liliaceae) are one of many plants known as spring ephemerals. These plants germinate, grow, flower and reproduce in just a few weeks in early spring. Increasing day length and sun … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Greater Bee Fly

Posted on April 17, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Common and widespread across much of North America, greater bee flies (Diptera: Bombyliidae: Bombylius major) are usually found in and around woodlands. Adults are typically encountered from March through May feeding on the nectar of early spring wildflowers. Their larvae, in contrast, … Continue reading →

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Plant-Insect Interaction: Bees on a Squawroot

Posted on April 15, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Squawroot (Conopholis americana, Orobanchaceae) is a fascinating plant because it is a parasite of other plants. Found in eastern North America it feeds predominantly on nutrients produced by oaks and beeches (family Fagaceae). Since it does not perform photosynthesis and lacks the green … Continue reading →

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Guarding the Nest

Posted on April 8, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Last week I happened upon this nesting Canada Goose (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Branta canadensis) keeping a watchful eye on a passing group of Ring-necked Ducks (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Aythya collaris). This particular goose chose to make her nest on top of a muskrat nest (Rodentia: Cricetidae: Ondatra zibethicus). … Continue reading →

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Yellow-bellied Sapsucker

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

While many woodpecker species hammer their beaks against trees to get at the insects inside, some are after a different food source. Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers (Piciformes: Picidae: Sphyrapicus varius), like other sapsuckers, feed predominantly on the sugary juices of the trees themselves. Although known to … Continue reading →

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Mute Swan

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

The other day I came across a lone Mute Swan (Anseriformes: Anatidae: Cygnus olor) in a small lake in southeast Michigan. Unlike Trumpeter Swans, Tundra Swans, and other large white waterfowl that are native to North America, these birds are … Continue reading →

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Random Insect: Half-Wing Moth

Posted on March 24, 2016 by Jeremy Sell

Winter has been gradually giving way to spring, and the other day I was greeted by this Half-Wing moth (Lepidoptera: Geometridae: Phigalia titea) resting on my front door. These insects are found mostly near wooded areas of the eastern US, and adults … Continue reading →

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American White Pelican

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Found throughout much of North America, American White Pelicans (Pelecaniformes: Pelecanidae: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) are never far from water. They overwinter along oceans, lakes, and marshes from southern California through the Gulf of Mexico. Summers are spent breeding on inland lakes and marshes … Continue reading →

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I lichen this to a human skull

Posted on June 4, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Lichens are common composite organisms that can be found in many diverse areas, including the most inhospitable environments on earth. The approximately 15,000 described species inhabit everything from lush forests to deserts to arctic tundra, exploiting resources wherever possible. Lichens … Continue reading →

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Random Plant: Western skunk cabbage

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Jeremy Sell

Native to North America, western skunk cabbage (Lysichiton americanus, Araceae) can be found from Alaska to northern California and as far east as Montana. This species loves water and shade and appropriately inhabits swamps, marshes, stream banks, wet forests, and other moisture-rich areas throughout … Continue reading →

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