Nesting in bluebird box
Monarchs on swamp milkweed
Link to Thistle host plant observation: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/208645365
Convergent Lady Beetle (Hippodamia convergens) is a flying insect in the Oblong Lady Beetles (Hippodamia) genus. This species has two distinctive converging white lines on forehead (pronotum). The number of black spots is variable. It is one of the most common lady beetles in North America and is found throughout the continent. Lady Beetles are helpful for the biological control of aphids-- their main diet.
The key to assessment of Lady Beetles is to see and photograph the front end to see the patterns on the head and pronotum (in front of the wings).
Lady Beetle Key for North America https://www.discoverlife.org/mp/20q?guide=Ladybug&cl=llp
Link to observation of thousands of ladybugs, crawling over each other in one huge clump. It's called an aggregation, and it's something these usually solitary beetles do each winter from about November to February. Scientists believe ladybugs aggregate to regulate their internal body temperatures, share mates, enhance their defense, and share resources. Inside these aggregations, movement is disorderly rather than hierarchical, like a beehive or ant hill would be: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/190970464
Kaufman Field Guide to Insects of North America. Eaton and Kaufman, 2006, p. 154.
Bug photographs from the U.S/Canada for I.D https://bugguide.net/index.php?q=search&keys=Hippodamia+convergens
Helpful Taxonomic chart of Coccinelloidea, that includes Lady Beetles. Coccinelloidea is a superfamily of beetles. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coccinelloidea
Cucujiform Beetles (Infraorder Cucujiformia)
Taxonomic chart of Cucujiform Beetles. Cucujiformia is an infraorder of polyphagan beetles that represent most plant-eating beetles. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/372852-Cucujiformia
The infraorder contains 7 superfamilies:
Chrysomeloidea (~7 families including longhorn beetles and leaf beetles)
Cleroidea (checkered beetles, bark-gnawing beetles and soft-winged flower beetles)
Coccinelloidea (15 families, includes LADY BEETLES and fungus beetles)
Cucujoidea (~27 families)
Curculionoidea (~8 families primarily consisting of weevils and also including snout beetles and bark beetles)
Lymexyloidea (ship-timber beetles)
Tenebrionoidea (formerly "Heteromera") (30 families including blister beetles and ant-like beetles)
Monarch butterfly I followed around for a few minutes
Monarch caterpillar on tropical milkweed
On swamp milkweed
I believe this spider made a hideout in my portable solar panel while it was folded up. Is this just their bed where they were sleeping, or did they put eggs here that will hatch? In other words, can I safely clean this construction off now that the spider is out and about, or does my solar panel need to live outside now so baby spiders won't take over my house?
On swamp milkweed. I only ever see the one.
On salvias
Note yellow eyes & lores; long, heavy yellow bill; white forehead, crown and throat; broad black eyestripe that extends from above eye to back of crown; crest plumes; pale gray upper back and hindneck; blue-gray lower back and upperwings; brownish-yellow legs.
Saipan Is. Note solid brown upperparts with white cap.
Saipan Is. Note unmistakable distinctive coloration: bright green body, orange belly, bright silver neck and chest, and striking magenta forehead. Sadly, this species has been extirpated on Guam. At least one conservation organization ranks the Mariana Fruit Dove among the most endangered bird species on earth. This rare species has some of the most beautiful plumage colors.
Saipan Is. Note clean white body and head; light green cheek; thick black bill with yellow base; bluish-green wings and tail.
Saipan Is. Note solid brown upperparts with white cap.