Don't Hug the Bugs

No ranting today, just bugs.

Backyard Bug of the Day:

Leaf hopper

More and more wisteria are blooming every day...

And what do you get when you have a profusion of flowers? Bees!

 There are nowhere near as many bees as there were around the crab apple trees, or even the creeping myrtle, but they are very entertaining.

 It's mostly bumblebees, and they are a bit combative sometimes (territorial?) and do this amusing hovering thing that is somewhat convenient for a person trying to take their picture (Of course, they also do a zooming-away-at-the-last-nanosecond-when-I-click-the-shutter thing, which is much less convenient).

Have you ever wanted to hug a bee?

Random Bugs:

 An easy bug-spotting eye test.

 Weevil

 The possible tent caterpillars [Edit: they ARE tent caterpillars, but they are not eastern tent caterpillars, they are forest tent caterpillars, which don't build tents] were back in the spot where I first saw them. It's an interesting spot for them to be congregating in, because it is on a broken branch with no leaves even nearby, so no food.

 Some of them were walking down the tree trunk. [Edit: forest tent caterpillars do this - follow each other in a line.]

I would have to say that some of the spider pictures for today may be a little higher on the freak-out scale for arachnophobes than my normal daily spiders, so be aware as you scroll. Arachnid Appreciation:
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 Something new for spiders to hate - the fuzz that comes off some of the trees now.

 Now, how could anyone not think this spider is wonderful? It's got a big smiley face AND a heart on its underside.

Yes, there is a spider in there somewhere...