Roundneck Sexton Beetle (Nicrophorus orbicollis)
A beetle that buries the dead and cares for its young On the same late-July walk in Rhode Island, a flash of color caught my …
Acanthocephala terminalis
A leaf-footed bug built for quiet battles On July 21, in a weedy field in Rhode Island, a big, brown insect landed on a stem …
Citrus Flatid Planthopper (Metcalfa pruinosa)
A planthopper dusted with frost A few steps from the leaf-footed bug, something pale caught my eye. On July 21 in Rhode Island, a small …
Corrupt Barklouse (Polypsocus corruptus)
A tiny barklouse with a scandalous name I almost missed this one entirely. On July 21 in Rhode Island, a dusting of pale specks on …
Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
A blue dasher on sentry duty By mid-July in Rhode Island, every pond has its resident dragonflies. On July 20 I found one that refused …
Acrotaphus wiltii
A wasp built like a needle On July 20 in Rhode Island, a long, thin wasp drifted onto a leaf in front of me and …
Grapevine Beetle (Pelidnota punctata)
A golden scarab with an appetite for grapes On a warm July evening in Rhode Island, something polished and golden was sitting on a leaf …
North American Wheel Bug (Arilus cristatus)
The assassin bug with a cog on its back On June 18 in Pittsburgh, a large, grey insect was climbing a sunflower stem, and I …
Golden-backed Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus thoracicus)
A fly dipped in gold On a late-May morning in Pittsburgh, a tiny fly landed on a leaf in front of me and sat still, …