White-lined Sphinx Moth
The white-lined sphinx moth (Hyles lineata) has long, narrow, triangular forewings that are dark brown with a diagonal line of white slashing up to the tip. The hindwings are shorter with alternating waves of dark brown-pink-brown. The body is stout as in most sphinx moths, with vertical white lines running parallel on the brown head […]
Isabella Tiger Moth
The Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrharctia isabella) is probably most known for its larval form. As a caterpillar, the Isabella tiger moth is known as the woolly bear, a handsome little caterpillar with dense hair with black bands on the end of the body and a rusty-red band in the center. Adult moth’s front wings are […]
Ailanthus Webworm Moth
The appearance of the ailanthus webworm moth (Atteva aurea) is incredibly striking. It looks like a beetle on flowers, a wasp in flight, but is clearly a moth when you examine it more closely. The wings of this moth are bright orange, patterned clusters of white spots outlined in black. Size Medium: 11–15 mm1 Active […]
Silver-spotted Skipper
The aptly named silver-spotted skipper (Epargyreus clarus) has an iridescent silver patch on its lower forewings, easily seen against the deep red-brown of the rest of the wing. The Skipper family is recognizable for their fast, darting flight behavior, appearing as if they are skipping along in the sky. Their antennae also have a unique […]
Blue-winged Scoliid Wasp
The head, thorax, and upper abdomen of the Blue-winged Scoliid Wasp (Scolia dubia) are black and hairy. But after the second abdominal segment, the wasp is a maroon-crimson with two paired short bands of yellow on the first segment of red. The wings are an iridescent midnight blue, earning this wasp its name. Females search […]
Great Golden Digger Wasp
The head and thorax of the Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) are deep black, with dense, velvety, golden hairs. In just the right light, it looks as if these wasps are dipped in liquid gold. The abdomen is about 2/3 orange at its upper region and deep black at its tip. The wings are […]
Great Black Digger Wasp
Great black digger wasps (Sphex pensylvanicus) have a deep, inky black bodies and iridescent blue wings. Despite the much-maligned reputation of wasps to be aggressive, these solitary wasps are rather docile and will only sting when threatened. Adults will feed on nectar. Adult females will paralyze and carry their prey back to the nest for […]
Bald-faced Hornet
Despite their common name, bald-faced hornets (Dolichovespula maculata) are actually a type of yellowjacket. Bald-faced hornets are so named for most of their bodies being lightly haired, dark black, with white markings on their face and white stripes towards the end of the abdomen. They will create large aerial paper nests (3+ feet above the […]
Northern/Dark Paper Wasp
Northern paper wasps (Polistes fuscatus) are intimidating-looking insects with red eyes, dark wings, and red-yellow striped abdomens. The thorax and face of this dark-colored wasp are mostly red-black, with the creases of the thorax and the head lined in a bright yellow. Northern paper wasps are typically not aggressive but will defend their nests. They […]
Research Spotlight Sample
Note: Please submit two pictures, one of yourself and one related to the project. A third picture/graph may be submitted if it is necessary to your explanation of your Findings section. Specify the captions that should accompany each picture. The Student Description: Text that informs visitors about the graduate student and highlights their interests, journey, […]