October 21, 2018
Here is my black light setup. Last night I had more White-lined Sphinx moths
than I've ever seen. At one point I counted over 30. All of the largest moths in this
photo are that species, there are more on the ground and behind the sheet, where
they make a tremendous racket beating their wings on the truck.
A new species for me, a Water Scorpion. The long appendages on the end are
not ovipositors or stingers, they are breathing tubes the insect uses
when submerged. This seems a strange place to see one.
A Green Lacewing. In the same order as Ant Lions (order Neuroptera)
they have the same glowing, star-like eye.
I'm pretty sure these are Ashy Gray Lady Beetles, according to my insect guide.
There are two forms, one is black with red spots.
Cockroaches, like anything with "rat" in its name, get a bad rap. However, there are
many species of cockroaches and this is one that does not coexist with people. It is in
the genus Arenivaga, unknown species. These insects live in sandy habitats, especially sand
dunes. This one is a male and the only one I've ever seen. From Wikipedia:
Females and nymphs live underground, "swimming" through the sandy substrate, and
residing in the burrows of small mammals with which they cohabit. They feed on mycorrhizal
fungi, plant detritus, and the seeds gathered by the mammals. Males have brief
lives and live mostly on the surface.
Pyrota species, a type of blister beetle, that's about all I can find out.
Twice-Stabbed or Cactus Lady Beetle. I actually photographed this at
Sunny Flats but just got it identified. At first I thought it may be the
black and red form of the Ashy Gray Lady Beetle, but it is not.
Back to Winter in Arizona 2018-19 or www.wildphotosphotography.com