Ponerine ant (Ponerini)
Ponerine ants like this live their lives in forest soils and feed on other arthropods.
Ponerine ants like this live their lives in forest soils and feed on other arthropods.
The Calico Pennant is a colorful, beautifully marked dragonfly. A key identifier for this species is the dark spot that occurs short of the wing tip. This spot is positioned next to the leading edge of the wing, and it does not extend as a band to the trailing edge of the wing. This dragonfly…
At Coal Creek we have respect for the old ways, but we also engage the latest farm science to achieve our goals. We like to think of it as eco-agriculture. It’s sustainable environmentally and financially. Here’s an article from AgDaily that outlines how we’re working to repair the land that had been clear-cut. Read more…
Death comes for us all. When death came for this longhorn beetle, other insects were grateful for theresource. A stilt-legged fly (Rainieria antennaepes) approaches, then retreats.Severalscuttle flies(Phoridae) are already feeding on the carcass. Many insects specialize on dead arthropods. But these flies are just grabbing the opportunity. European hornet (Vespa crabo) flying back to nest…
The Azure Bluet is often seen flying near water sources that are slow-moving if they have a current at all. Ponds, marshes, bogs, and lakes are all great habitats for this type of damselfly that feeds on small flying insects. The striking blue color is seen on both males and females. A single blue band…
At Coal Creek Farm, we’ve had to deal with invasive plant species, along with beetles and trees and other animals.. I listen to the ecologists about the use of poison versus introducing bugs for invasive management. Florida, because of its temperate climate has lots of invasive challenges, in the water and out.
Camel crickets are large, abundant insects common to forests across the US. But they are rarely noticed, partly because they’re nocturnal. Here are two camel crickets that left their underground daylight hiding place to feed on a mushroom at night. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus…