Thursday, August 14, 2025

Backyard Look, Part 2

This is Part 2 of some things I saw in our backyard. Part 1 was about plants, and Part 2 is about things with multiple legs.

Every few years, after spending years underground, a major emergence of cicadas occurs somewhere. I have experienced these hordes of cicadas, and they are deafening, among other things. These cicada appearances get a lot of publicity.

However, there never seems to be a mention of the yearly cicadas like we have. And, quite frankly, I'm getting irritated with them. Their song is loud and annoying. I know the birds are still around, but I can't hear them over the cicadas. 

Complaining is done, so here is the rest of the story. Cicadas don't cause major plant damage and serve as food for many birds I struggle to hear. (I admit all of this grudgingly, because I'm still annoyed, so maybe I'm not done complaining. 😀)

Anyway, now for a few pictures of some more things in my backyard. 


A cicada hole that was made so it could emerge from the ground. It's about the diameter of a pencil.


Molted cicada exoskeletons. This happens as the nymphs change into adults.


Adult Linne's cicada. These are native to the eastern US and emerge every year.


Moving on to other insects, this caterpillar was still wiggling, but the ants were able to drag it across the driveway.


We've seen a few swallowtails on the butterfly bush, and yesterday I saw a monarch. However, not as many butterflies visit as I had hoped. This volunteer plant came from Aunt Martha's yard. I was excited to plant it because her bush was usually covered with butterflies. Ours has never looked like that.


A yellow garden spider has taken up residence in one of our bushes. They are quite common, although I don't remember seeing one before. This is a female, and she is still constructing her web in this picture. Notice the characteristic zig-zag in the web.


Now see how much better the zig-zag has developed. If you look very carefully, you will see little dots on the web. Those are egg sacks. The male spider builds a small web in the area of the female's and, after fertilizing her eggs, he dies. The yellow garden spider usually stays in place for the entire summer. This one has been here for about a week and a half. I hope it stays for the rest of the summer.


Transverse banded drone fly. These flies like nectar, much like the bees they are mimicking.


These surprise lilies don't have a bug on them for you to see. I forgot to include them in Part 1, so I'm including them here because they will be gone before I do my next backyard post. 

Until next time...

8 comments:

  1. I like watching all the little critters in the yard, except for mosquitos and I hate them

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you on the mosquitos. It seems every time I go into the backyard, I get bitten. It's worse this year than it has been.

      Delete
  2. My favorite picture is the one of the butterfly. You are a good photographer to capture that. But, I was most interested in seeing the spider web! I don't think I've ever seen a web like that. The poor caterpillar. Your surprise lilies are lovely. This month's photo challenge theme is living and I think your pictures would definitely qualify. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Every time I see one of your photo challenges, I think I'm going to participate. Maybe this will be the month. :)

      Delete
  3. Beautiful photos. So that's what a cicada looks like! I live in Montreal, Canada, and although I know they are around, I have never seen one close up. I live in a 6th floor apartment. Those things buzz when they are touched, I think! Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are some cicadas that have big red eyes. Those look something out of a science fiction movie.

      Delete
  4. Interesting tour! I never think to take pictures of the bugs around here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like to take pictures of bugs if they hold still long enough. :)

      Delete

What do you think?