Myakka River State Park

Went with my father to Myakka River State Park in SW Florida yesterday, and here are the photographs to prove it. Most interesting (to me) were two flies that I'd never heard of before: one in the genus Octhera and a Grallipeza nebulosa. At least that's what I think they were. Took me forever to figure out IDs. We spent a lot of time along the river's edge trying to capture tiger beetles (no luck) but thankfully escaped interest of nearby alligators. There's supposed to be one that is 16 1/2 feet long. Only dangerous situation was self-induced when I got in close to a nest of paper wasps.

By the way: it's the namesake of the Myakka bug (Ischnodemus variegatus).

Posted on 23 June, 2018 14:29 by colinpurrington colinpurrington

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Island Apple Snail (Pomacea maculata)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:17 PM EDT

Description

Given color I think this is Pomacea maculata. Hundreds of these around.

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown-belted Bumble Bee (Bombus griseocollis)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 11:16 AM EDT

Description

Brown-belted bumble bee (Bombus griseocollis), I think. Thanks for correction.

Photos / Sounds

What

Three-lined Tiger Beetle (Cicindela trifasciata ssp. ascendens)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:27 PM EDT

Description

Based on color, elytra pattern, single setae on first antennal segment, and likely micrserrulate margin at distal tip of elytra on male. Riparian and extremely wary.

Photos / Sounds

What

Christmas Lichen (Herpothallon rubrocinctum)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 10:59 AM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Cuban Tree Frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:22 PM EDT

Description

Guessing this is a juvenile Cuban tree frog (Osteopilus septentrionalis).

Photos / Sounds

What

Forktails (Genus Ischnura)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 12:28 PM EDT

Description

I have no idea what kind this. Was eating a caterpillar larvae.

Photos / Sounds

What

Eris flava

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 12:55 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 12:04 PM EDT

Description

I think this is Grallipeza nebulosa.

Photos / Sounds

What

Oak Leaf Rolling Weevil (Homoeolabus analis)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:40 PM EDT

Description

Nidus of oak leaf rolling weevil. Second pic shows a larva. Along with the weevil larvae in the three I opened, found a small beetle, multiple orange larvae, two eggs (parasitoids?), and mites. I made observations for all but the mites (just way to small to get pics without microscope).

I'm assuming host is live oak, Quercus virginiana.

Most likely Homoeolabus analis. Found adults of that species the next day, though at a different location.

Photos / Sounds

What

Brown Anole (Anolis sagrei)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 11:36 AM EDT

Description

Male brown anole (Norops sagrei), I think.

Photos / Sounds

What

Life (Life)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 11:07 AM EDT

Description

This blob of plant tissue is probably just the oak responding to some sort of damage. But I'm curious ... is there a particular organism that causes these blobs??

Photos / Sounds

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:34 PM EDT

Photos / Sounds

What

Island Apple Snail (Pomacea maculata)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 12:23 PM EDT

Description

Myakka River State Park.

Photos / Sounds

What

Least Paper Wasp (Polistes dorsalis ssp. dorsalis)

Observer

colinpurrington

Date

June 22, 2018 01:47 PM EDT

Description

I think these are Polistes dorsalis dorsalis.

Comments

No comments yet.

Add a Comment

Sign In or Sign Up to add comments