Black-horned Tree CricketBlack-horned Tree Cricket

Black-horned Tree Cricket

 I have been unable to find much data on this cricket.  I think research is currently under way.  There is great photography available on the Internet.

Black-horned Tree Cricket

I did read that the male provides "multi-modal communication" to aid the female in her choice.  The modes are:  "acoustic, olfactory, and vibratory."  I find these crickets mostly on tall sunflower but the photography I saw shows them in other settings as well.

I have observed honey bees driving them around onto the back side of the bloom.

Black-horned Tree Cricket Behind Bloom

 They don't seem belligerent and wait a while before returning to the front.

Larry's Images and Aerial



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Grasshoppers Mating

Spur-throated Grasshoppers

I found these insects early one morning in the boneset plant.  I almost missed them but I saw a darkish spot in among the leaves and flowers.

Spur-throated Grasshoppers

Thankfully, it was still coolish and they sat still while I worked my way around them.

Larry's Images and Aerial


Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 


If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Wulfenite

Wulfenite

This is an eye catching mineral sample purchased from Don Smoley last June.

Wulfenite

It is mounted on a short matchstick.  According to Wikipedia, it is a lead molybdate mineral.  I read it can be orange, yellow, red-orange, yellow-orange or brown.

Wulfenite

  Molybdenum can be extracted from Wulfenite.  Molybdenum was the component needed in the metal of jet engine compressor blades to increase their service life.  Back in the day, 1945, they would have to rebuild the engine after 25 hours of running.

Wulfenite

This sample comes from Rowley Mine, Maricopa Co., Arizona.  Somewhere, I have a sample from a mine in Mexico.  I will show it if I find it.

Larry's Images and Aerial



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.

Bee-fly

Bee-fly

 I came upon this beefly on the sunflowers the other day.  I made three successful captures before it was gone.  I have not seen it again.

Bee-fly

Jason Larson, the director at Gorman Nature Center was glad to see these pictures.  I was captivated by the hair on the bottom being thick compared to the dorsal hair.  I wrongly thought it might be a leaf cutter bee.

Bee-fly

Jason thought:  The eyes point to fly.  The single wings per side point to fly as do their being held to the sides of the body.

Someone at the BugGuide site suggested that it might be Sparnopolius confusus.  I am sure I don't know but it was an interesting find.

Larry's Images and Aerial



Follow Larry's Images on Facebook. 



If you wish to unsubscribe, email to larry@larrysimages.com with "unsubscribe" in the subject line.