Morris_Jumel Mansion Sunday, July 21, 2013
Headed over to the Morris-Jumel Mansion, 162nd Street in Manhattan, NY around 11:30 AM. Weather: sunny and in the 80's. I went straight for the Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum) where there was a lot of action last visit. The annual cicadas were singing strong when we arrived. There were tons of bumble bees on the Mountain Mint. In addition to the photographed species, I also observed the European Wool Carder Bee, Anthidium manicatum. There were also several helictidae and maybe orchard bees in the mountain mint but I have trouble identifying them from photo or in the field. I need to work some more on that.
I also observed a Cuckoo wasp (Chrysis sp.) but was unable to get a photo. The Cuckoo wasp was on some of the shrubbery out in the sun where there was some watering going on.
I was surprised not to see any Ommatius tibialis Robber flies which were very common the week before.
We spent about an hour at the Mansion and was a lot of action.
After leaving the Mansion we headed west on 162nd Street and ran into a small community garden just before Amsterdam Ave. There was a Tiger Swallowtail on a Zinia, that was attracting the attention of a visitor, and myself from the sidewalk!
Observations
Photos / Sounds
What
Two-spotted Longhorn Bee (Melissodes bimaculatus)Observer
jholmesDescription
This bee was very active. It had a white spot on it's face so I believe it was a male. I did not get a sharp photo of the face. Notable features: all black body and bristles, white legs, long antenna. It was feeding on a type of mint.
Photos / Sounds
What
Bicolored Striped Sweat Bee (Agapostemon virescens)Observer
jholmesDescription
Male Agapostemon virescens. Feeding on Mountain Mint. 3-5 were observed in an area of about 2 square meters. Temperature was in the 80s F and clear skies, observation time around 11:30 AM.
Photos / Sounds
What
Four-banded Stink Bug Wasp (Bicyrtes quadrifasciatus)Observer
jholmesDescription
Slow feeder, spent a long time at each flower. It was much slower at moving about than the bees in the area. Very glossy body. The thorax was nearly 100% black, just a couple light marks, one lateral and one anterior. Was feeding on "Mountain Mint"
Photos / Sounds
What
Snowberry Clearwing (Hemaris diffinis)Observer
jholmesDescription
Was feeding about 10 feet away from me. It was resting it's front limbs on the flowers as it extended its proboscis. Constantly beating its wings, very hummingbird like. The photos are not the best due to the distance and I had a fixed 60mm micro lens on my camera. This was the only time I observed this species during the visit. I have visited this garden two other days and not seen this species before.
Photos / Sounds
What
European Paper Wasp (Polistes dominula)Observer
jholmesDescription
Several lurking about the shrubs in the garden. Seemed to be more in the area where the gardener was watering. Observed around 12:00 PM, temp in the 80s and sunny.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northeastern Hammertail (Efferia aestuans)Observer
jholmesDescription
Fly eats fly. Robber fly feeding on a House Fly.
Photos / Sounds
What
Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus)Observer
jholmesDescription
Feeding on Zinea. Time: 12:30 PM, Temp: 80s F. Sunny.
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