Aphids beware… this Ladybug Larva has already gobbled 1/2 of one up!
I at first assumed this was a Hoverfly larva munching on all the aphids that cover the wild Mustard outside of my house, then I saw legs! On closer inspection, I believe it is a Lacewing Larva (see the large pincher-like jaws near the head?) who are every bit as deadly to pesky aphids and should be welcomed just as much as Ladybugs in your garden!
His coloring reminds me of mint chocolate chip.
My lovely friend Julia came running over to me yelling, “I have something for you!” while I was sitting and studying for my Evolution final today. She delivered me this Morning Cloak caterpillar (Nymphalis antiope)! I was 10 min. away from my final so I was unable to stay and get a proper photo. I often see the adults in the botanical gardens but this was my first siting of the juvenile (thanks, Julia!). This site has a photo of the pretty black butterfly it will turn into.
Beneficial Bug of The Day: Long-Legged Flies in the Genus Dolichopodidae
I see these pretty little flies often darting among the leaves at CSUN. I was quite surprised to learn they are beneficial predators. According to my Kauffman Guide they dine on mites, aphids and smaller flies. So not only are they easy on the eyes with their metallic bodies but they’re also good for your garden!
I was pretty proud of myself with this new find. I found him on some roses at school. I thought, “wow, he looks a lot like a Green Lynx but brown” so that’s what I googled and it’s exactly what he is! Brown Lynx Spider aka Western Lynx, here is is on bugguide! I love his thorny appearance.
It was a gloomy day here in Los Angeles so the bug finds in CSUN’s botanical gardens were scarce. Luckily, this Large Milkweed Bug decided to make up for the rest of his kind by posing for me. Check out his proboscis that he’s using to suck up the Milkweed juices. It’s so thick it looks more like a seventh leg!
I am going to guess that this green little booger is the maggot of a Hover Fly. Hover Fly larvae are beneficial predators and their parents are important pollinators.
Another Katydid Nymph I found today. This one is the Greater Angle Winged Katydid, I believe. I see the large adults pretty often.
Today was a day filled with unidentified finds. I’ve seen this Katydid Nymph many times before but have never been able to ID it.
UPDATE Thank you eximago! Mystery solved: Forked Tailed Bush Katydid, Scudderia sp.
