(4/52) Eremnophila aureonotata
A member of the Sphecidae family, or Thread-waisted Wasps.
In its name aureo 'gold' plus notatus 'marked' gives away how to identify these inch long wasps. On its side are two silvery/gold patches. Or if you're look to just know different kinds of wasps; just look at how skinny the abdomen starts near the thorax. Like a thread!
Their season is roughly July-August in Ohio and they like to live in fields near woodlands. Adults feed on nectar and provide a single caterpillar in burrows for their larvae.
Cool looking insect but I'd still rather not get stung!

naturenerd #threadwaistedwasp

(10/52) Squawroot aka American Cancer-root, or Bear Corn (Conopholis americana)
Similar to Indian Pipe and Beechdrops, Squawroot is a parasitic plant that feeds off of the roots of Oak trees and does not produce any of its own chlorophyll. In the life cycle the seed sends roots down to attach to an oak's. There they siphon nutrients from the oak for four years before sending up thick white stalks covered in brown scales which are actually modified leaves. They look a lot like pine cones at first until the yellowish-white flowers emerges between the scales. As the flowers die they turn brown again (current phase of this Squawroot). Squawroot is edible and has many old fashion medicinal uses; mostly as an astringent. #squawroot #naturenerd #parasiticplant

(12/52) Skunk Cabbage (Symplocarpus fortidus)
One of the first ephemerals to emerge in spring even as early as February like this one. Skunk cabbage is unmistakable with its yellowish mottled maroon hood-like spathe. Inside the spathe is the spadix; which basically is a spike on which the flowers grow. One reason it's the first to bloom is because the spadix of skunk cabbage has an extremely high metabolic rate causing an endothermic reaction. So on mornings like today when it's 10 degrees Fahrenheit the temperature inside the spathe can reach almost 70! It's so warm it melts the snow around it.
And yes they do smell! #naturenerd #skunkcabbage

(19/52) Coltsfoot aka Tussilago (Tussilago farfara)
Coltsfoot looks similar to dandelions but the flowers open on leafless stems in spring before the leaves come up. The leaves are a rich green color that roughly resembles the shape of a colts hoof. You'll most often find them along frequently disturbed areas such as driveways, roads, and trials.
They are non-native to North America and came from Europe or Asia probably because of its herbal medicine uses.

naturenerd #nofilter #coltsfoot

(15/52, sorry I'm behind. Expect two this week)
Io Moth (Automers io)
And you people wonder why I love moths so much. Just look at this guy. He's beautiful, colorful, and has scales that seem fuzzy!
Io Moth caterpillars on the other hand, while still beautiful are less fuzzy. They are covered in spines that are connected to poison glands; causing rash - allergic reactions especially for those with a history of hay fever and asthma.
This is a male Io Moth his female companions are brownish-pink with the same eye spots. Their name comes from the Greek priestess and Jupiter's largest so named moon Io.

naturenerd #iomoth

(1/2) Nerd-a-lert posts! 🐛
This is a Catalpa Moth caterpillar, one of our Catalpa trees at the park is infested with them! So saturated with caterpillars that you can stand right next to the tree and it sounds Iike it's raining. Raining poo! 💩
This is a picture of one of the larger larva, but on one leaf you could see all the instars. #natuernerd
(2/2) While the infestation has demolished the tree; many of the caterpillars have succumb to parasitic wasps! Nature is awesome! #naturenerd

(28/52) Chinese Mantis (Tenodera sinesis)
As you can assume from the name Chinese Mantids are not native to North America. Not a stowaway, but intentionally brought to North America in the mid-1890's Chinese Mantids were intended to be biological pest control. But these guys aren't picky eaters. Eating everything from mosquitoes and grasshoppers, every butterfly, and even tree frogs and hummingbirds; Chinese Mantis have themselves become a small pest and out ate (or ate) our native Mantis species. Yes, there's a native Mantis species - the Carolina Mantis. You're lucky if you've seen one! They are smaller and usually brown in color compared to the Chinese Mantids.
Still fun to find them though!

naturenerd #ohionaturalhistory #chinesemantis

Happy National Moth Week 7/22-30th! I'm posting a picture of one of my favorite groups of organisms for everyday this work week. I'm going to keep the info simple, but please feel free to comment and ask questions! (29/52) Luna Moth (Actias luna)
In the giant silkworm moth family, Luna's are only found in North America. You'd think their bright color would give them away but among leaves they are nearly impossible to find. Adults do not eat and only live for about a week or less. #naturenerd #nationalmothweek #lunamoth

It's a bee! It's a hummingbird! No, it's a Moth! (30/52) Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe)
Clearwing moths are a little different then most moths. They are active during the day, and mimic pollinators instead of predators. There are two other distinct moths in the Hemaris genus in Ohio; the Snowberry Clearwing and the Slender Clearwing. You can identify the Hummingbird Clearwing by 1.) banding on the sides of the thorax and 2.) they always have yellowish pale colored legs. They also have the largest range of the three. Hummingbird Clearwings can be found roaming all the way from Florida to Alaska! #naturenerd #nationalmothweek #hummingbirdclearwing