This is a southern devil scorpion. They inhabit the southern Appalachian region and are the only scorpion that lives east of the Mississippi River, except for three species in Florida and surrounding areas. Like most scorpions, they have two eyes in the middle of their ‘head’ area, but also have ‘lateral eyes’. This species has three pairs of lateral eyes, which can be seen as the black spot just above the jaws.
This wasp is about two millimeters long and easily mistaken for a tiny ant. They are fast runners and can jump readily with a unique method of contorting the body. This female is looking for insect eggs, which act as a perfect host for her own eggs. This species likely utilizes stink bugs as hosts….
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…
The American Bird Grasshopper is native to North America, where it occurs in the eastern United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. Occasional, localized outbreaks of this grasshopper occur, and it is often referred to as a locust, though it lacks the true swarming form of its congener, the desert locust. The adult male of the…
These attractive metallic flies are commonly seen on leaftops, hunting for smaller insects. They are lively creatures and some species have elaborate mating dances. Female tiny parasitic wasp (Eupelmidae) with an interesting jumping mechanism crawling over tree bark-likely Anastatus hunting for stink bug eggs to lay its own eggs into Flies attracted to dead longhorn…
There are many robber flies. This one is common on tree trunks, where it perches, watching the skies for other insects to fly by. When it sees one, it flies out, grabs it, injects powerful venom, and then brings it back to its perch to suck the body fluids from the prey. Mini dramas abound…
Widespread hatred is common forthe10 or so introduced cockroaches that now invade our homes. But the US is home to more than 70 species of native cockroach that do not act as pests. These natives might resemble pest species, but they live their lives in the wilderness. This specimen is a wood cockroach (Parcoblatta). Male…