Today's #BackyardNature comes to us from the Castle & Key Distillery in Frankfort, KY - it's a periodical #cicada (one of the three 17-year species in genus Magicicada) molting from its nymph shell as an adult. They're only found in North America. #entomology

It's a Bee-autiful life. South Dakota.

#bloomscroll #dandelion #nature #bee #flower #gardening #spring
- #wildflower #macro #naturephotography
- #pollinators #garden #yellow #beelife
- #backyardnature #wildlifephotography

Here's a flat wireworm beetle (Aeolus mellillus). These small (5-8mm) beetles are in the "click beetle" family, Elateridae; their larvae are a significant pest of cereal grains (rice, wheat, rye, oats, barley, millet, and maize). They're found across North America. #entomology #BackyardNature

A first-time #BackyardNature spotting - a common whitetail, aka long-tailed skimmer (Plathemis lydia). This species is common across most of North America; males have completely white abdomens, while the females have white zigzag stripes as seen here. #entomology

Today's #BackyardNature visitor is the peacock moth (Macaria notata). This member of the Geometridae family is found throughout the Northern Hemisphere; it can be distinguished from most other Macaria species by the "paw prints" on the forewings and the strongly pointed rear wing. #entomology

A fluffy little Bombus pascuorum (common carder bee) hard at work on the blossom of one of my apple trees.
Nature doing its thing—tiny wings, big impact!

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Een pluizige Bombus pascuorum (akkerhommel) druk in de weer op de bloesem van één van mijn appelbomen.
De natuur op z’n best—kleine vleugels, groot effect!

#BombusPascuorum
#AppleBlossom
#BeeWatching
#Pollinators
#SpringVibes
#BackyardNature
#WildlifeInTheGarden
#Bijen
#Bloesem
#Natuurmomentje

The torrential rains in central #Kentucky had even newly hatched slugs heading for high ground; this little one looks like a three-banded garden slug (Ambigolimax valentianus) #backyardnature

#Bloomscrolling #SilentSunday #Bee #BackyardNature

Spring brings new #backyardnature sightings; here's a speckled green fruitworm moth (Orthosia hibisci). Found in most of eastern North America, its caterpillars feast on a variety of plants that includes apple, crabapple, plum, cherry, and other trees. #entomology

Today's #backyardnature is a non-biting midge, also known as a "lake fly" (genus Chironomus, I believe). These are the largest of the midges, and are found throughout North America. #entomology