What
Gray Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Positively identified on BugGuide.net as Schistocerca nitens
What
Gray Bird Grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Identified as a Schistocerca nitens - Female nymph on BugGuide.net.
Photos / Sounds
What
Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
red-shafted
What
Thomas's Two-striped Grasshopper (Melanoplus thomasi)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Identified on BugGuide as Melanoplus thomasi-male
What
Common Raccoon (Procyon lotor)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Infrared night shot on a wildlife camera. Monitoring night visitors to botanical garden.
What
Western Spotted Orbweaver (Neoscona oaxacensis)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Identified to species on BugGuide.net. I mistook this specimen for an Argiope.
What
Arizona Mantis (Stagmomantis limbata)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Bright green, ~3.5 inches long. Photographed crossing the paved entry road.
What
Large Creosote Gall Midge (Asphondylia auripila)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
A ball-shaped stem gall on creosote; appears to be made up of numerous small leaflet rosettes. I stumbled onto a reference to Creosote gall midges and Asphondylia auripila seems to be the one that makes the gall shaped most like what we found.
Now (early October) it is dark brown and dried out, evidently after the midges have departed.
http://www.birdandhike.com/Wildlife/Invert/Ph_Arthropoda/SubP_Hexapoda/Cl_Insecta/Diptera/Midge/Cecidomyiidae/Asphon_aur/_Asp_aur.htm
Photos / Sounds
What
Lewis' Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus lewisi)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Identified as Chauliognathus on BugGuide but not to species.
Photos / Sounds
What
Black Cactus Longhorn Beetle (Moneilema armatum)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Short, stout (about an inch long) beetle on cholla cane. Dark dull gray/black but with pale bluish-white stripes around top and bottom of pronotum. Identified to genus on BugGuide as Moneilema.
What
Bloody Net-winged Beetle (Lycus sanguineus)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Tentatively identified as L. sanguineus, but have also seen adult L. fernandezi nearby. Are the nymphs similar? I.D. help appreciated.
Photos / Sounds
What
Lampetis drummondiObserver
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Blue-footed beetle mottled with off-white. On acacia. Approximately 1 inch long.
Photos / Sounds
What
Clammyweeds (Genus Polanisia)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Legume/Fabaceae from the bean-like pods. Extremely long, purple stamens projecting from small white petals. Leaves appear compound with 3 leaflets?
What
Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
After a heavy rain storm and much colder temperatures, dozens of hummers swarming the feeders today.
What
Canyon Towhee (Melozone fusca)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Adult feeding begging juvenile just before picture was taken. During cold, wet storm.
Photos / Sounds
What
Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica)Observer
cdrichihuahuandesertDescription
Resting on the porch during powerful storms.