Articles by: Brenna Shea

Leafcutter Bee (genus Megachile)

If you’ve ever noticed nearly perfect ovals, circles or semicircles cut out of leaves (and even flowers), you might have some leafcutter bees nearby. These small bees readily inhabit “bee […]

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Notes from the Lab: Welcome Back!

Welcome back to the Lab! It’s been three months since my last lab dispatch but it might as well have been three days. This summer has kept us all on […]

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Paddle Caterpillar (Acronicta funeralis)

We were thrilled to see this caterpillar in our inbox, as this species is uncommon (BugGuide). Paddle Caterpillars are so-named for the pairs of long black hairs with flattened tips that resemble paddles. […]

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Western Red-humped Caterpillar (Oedemasia salicis)

Cathy observed these caterpillars feeding on her Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus sericea), an attractive shrub with ruby-colored twigs. Western Red-humped Caterpillars are generalist hardwood feeders and choose from a wide […]

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Common Tree Cricket (genus Oecanthus)

If you find a green tree cricket in North America, you can be certain it is in the genus Oecanthus. Most can be identified to species by examining the markings on the underside of […]

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Damselfly (suborder Zygoptera)

We believe this damselfly may have just emerged, as the the wings do not look fully “inflated” and dried. Before taking to the sky, damselflies, and their close relatives, the dragonflies, develop […]

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