Life On A Quarter Acre

Yard and Year Lists

Taxa seen in 2017

165
Spinus psaltria
(Lesser Goldfinch)
1 Jan 2018
164
Sciurus niger
(Fox Squirrel)
1 Jan 2018
163
Culex tarsalis
(Western Encephalitis Mosquito)
26 Dec 2017
Mosquito hanging out on the kitchen wall. Length 5 mm
162
Alucita sp.
14 Dec 2017
Small moth on bathroom wall. Length ~ 8 mm
161
Spinus pinus
(Pine Siskin)
9 Nov 2017
160
Melospiza melodia
(Song Sparrow)
4 Nov 2017
159
Operophtera bruceata
(Bruce Spanworm Moth)
29 Oct 2017
BugGuide ID Winged = ♂ The terminal line is a series of dark SINGLE dots -- a distinctive feature. = Operophtera bruceata (widespread, mostly northern)
158
Pimpla sp.
28 Oct 2017
~ 10 mm
157
Asemosyrphus polygrammus
(Common Sickleleg)
26 Oct 2017
156
Plutella xylostella
(Diamondback Moth)
26 Oct 2017
BugGuide ID
155
Tromatobia sp.
26 Oct 2017
154
Syrphus opinator
(Black-margined Flower Fly)
26 Oct 2017
153
Sargus bipunctatus
26 Oct 2017

Found on wheelbarrow next to compost.

BugGuide ID Female

152
Polistes dominula
(European Paper Wasp)
25 Oct 2017
151
Vespula pensylvanica
(Western Yellowjacket)
25 Oct 2017
Male
150
Itoplectis conquisitor
25 Oct 2017

Female

BugGuide

149
Erigoninae
(Dwarf Spiders)
25 Oct 2017
BugGuide ID
148
Pardosa sp.
(Thin-legged Wolf Spiders)
25 Oct 2017
BugGuide ID
147
Voriini
25 Oct 2017
BugGuide ID
146
Salticus scenicus
(Zebra Jumping Spider)
23 Oct 2017
145
Melanoplus femurrubrum
(Red-legged Grasshopper)
16 Oct 2017
144
Mantis religiosa
(European Mantis)
4 Oct 2017

BugGuide ID

143
Hylaeus sp.
17 Sep 2017
142
Halictus ligatus
(Furrow Bees)
16 Sep 2017
141
Harmonia axyridis
(Asian Lady Beetle)
13 Sep 2017
140
Halictus confusus
(Confusing Furrow Bee)
12 Sep 2017
BugGuide ID
139
Lasioglossum sp.
Subgenus: Dialictus
12 Sep 2017
BugGuide ID
138
Toxomerus occidentalis
(Western Calligrapher)
11 Sep 2017
BugGuide ID
137
Ceratina sp.
Subgenus: Zadontomerus
(Small Carpenter Bees)
6 Sep 2017
136
Noctua pronuba
(Large Yellow Underwing)
30 Aug 2017

BugGuide ID

The dark reniform spot and dark mark along the costa near the apex are good field marks and most often indicate this species.

135
Lestes congener
(Spotted Spreadwing)
26 Aug 2017
BugGuide ID
134
Ochlodes sylvanoides
(Woodland Skipper)
25 Aug 2017


Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

133
Pepsini
(Tarantula-hawk Wasps and Allies)
22 Aug 2017
132
Osbornellus borealis
18 Aug 2017
131
Mephitis mephitis
(Striped Skunk)
10 Aug 2017
130
Melanoplus bivittatus
(Two-striped Grasshopper)
9 Aug 2017


Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

129
Heliothis phloxiphaga
(Darker-spotted Straw Moth)
8 Aug 2017
BugGuide ID

Associated Species: Lavandula Sp (Lavenders)

128
Dryobates pubescens
(Downy Woodpecker)
7 Aug 2017
127
Stictoleptura canadensis
(Red-shouldered Pine Borer)
7 Aug 2017
126
Archilochus alexandri
(Black-chinned Hummingbird)
6 Aug 2017
125
Megachile sp.
Subgenus: Xanthosarus
(Leafcutter, Mortar, and Resin Bees)
6 Aug 2017


Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

124
Autographa californica
(Alfalfa Looper)
6 Aug 2017

Hard to photograph, since it hovered and moved quickly.

BugGuide ID



Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

123
Thryomanes bewickii
(Bewick's Wren)
30 Jul 2017
122
Hesperumia sulphuraria
(Sulphur Moth)
28 Jul 2017
BugGuide ID
121
Pelegrina sp.
(White-cheeked Jumping Spiders)
26 Jul 2017
~ 4 mm This little jumper was hanging out on my laptop while I was in the backyard. BugGuide ID: The abdomen looks a lot like a Pelegrina species. They have that pattern a lot. They come in many colors and shapes, so the species could be any. T ...
120
Pieris rapae
(Cabbage White)
25 Jul 2017


Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

119
Dolichovespula maculata
(Bald-faced Hornet)
25 Jul 2017
On hummingbird feeder
118
Phalangium opilio
(European Harvestman)
23 Jul 2017
117
Hyles lineata
(White-lined Sphinx)
17 Jul 2017


Associated Species: Lavandula angustifolia (Common Lavender)

116
Polygonia satyrus
(Satyr Comma)
13 Jul 2017
BugGuide ID
115
Corvus brachyrhynchos
(American Crow)
11 Jul 2017
114
Hedychrum sp.
(Hedychrum)
9 Jul 2017
BugGuide ID
113
Hoplitis sp.
(Small Mason Bees)
9 Jul 2017
112
Vanessa cardui
(Painted Lady)
8 Jul 2017
111
Papilio rutulus
(Western Tiger Swallowtail)
8 Jul 2017
110
Synanthedon bibionipennis
(Strawberry Crown Moth)
8 Jul 2017
BugGuide ID
109
Bombus centralis
(Great Basin Bumble Bee)
5 Jul 2017
108
Anthomyia procellaris
5 Jul 2017
107
Geranium pusillum
(Small-flowered Crane's-Bill)
5 Jul 2017
106
Epicauta puncticollis
(Burning Blister Beetles)
5 Jul 2017
105
Anthidium manicatum
(European Woolcarder Bee)
3 Jul 2017
104
Medetera sp.
(Woodpecker Flies)
3 Jul 2017

Tiny fly (~2 mm) on side of tomato garden

BugGuide ID

103
Anthrenus verbasci
(Varied Carpet Beetle)
3 Jul 2017
102
Anthaxia sp.
2 Jul 2017
101
Strymon melinus
(Gray Hairstreak)
2 Jul 2017
100
Polix coloradella
(Skunk Moth)
1 Jul 2017
99
Lygus sp.
1 Jul 2017
98
Condylostylus occidentalis
1 Jul 2017
BugGuide ID
97
Ichneumonini
1 Jul 2017

Several of these were active this morning on lawn. Netted this one and photographed it after cooling it down a bit in the fridge.

BugGuide ID

96
Dolichovespula arenaria
(Common Aerial Yellowjacket)
1 Jul 2017
95
Cerceris sp.
(Typical Weevil Wasps and Allies)
1 Jul 2017

BugGuide Id

94
Enallagma sp.
(Bluets)
27 Jun 2017
93
Lepturobosca chrysocoma
(Yellow Velvet Beetle)
24 Jun 2017
92
Bombus flavidus flavidus
(Yellowish Cuckoo Bumble Bee)
24 Jun 2017
BugGuide ID
91
Anastrangalia laetifica flavidus
(Dimorphic Flower Longhorn Beetle)
22 Jun 2017
BugGuide ID Female
90
Rumex acetosella flavidus
(Sheep's Sorrel)
21 Jun 2017
89
Sphecodes sp.
(Blood Bees)
21 Jun 2017

On a Lewis Flax flower

BugGuide ID

88
Merodon equestris flavidus
(Narcissus Bulb Fly)
19 Jun 2017
BugGuide ID
87
Aedes sp.
18 Jun 2017
86
Anaspis atrata flavidus
(Black False Flower Beetle)
18 Jun 2017
Lots of these beetles on mallow-leaf ninebark flowers
85
Xysticus sp.
(Ground Crab Spiders)
18 Jun 2017
BugGuide ID: Prey - Halictus female
84
Agulla sp.
(Common Snakeflies)
17 Jun 2017

BugGuide ID

Female

83
Balaustium sp.
(Sidewalk Mites)
17 Jun 2017
~ 1 mm On Snow in Summer (Cerastium tomentosum) flowers BugGuide ID Possibly Balaustium (Erythraeidae), as it looks very much like this photo: https://bugguide.net/node/view/922372
82
Eucera sp.
Subgenus: Synhalonia
16 Jun 2017
81
Tenthredo sp.
(Tenthredo)
15 Jun 2017
BugGuide ID
80
Agapostemon sp.
(Striped Sweat Bees)
14 Jun 2017
On an Indian Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
79
Eristalis nemorum flavidus
(Orange-spined Drone Fly)
14 Jun 2017

There is some disagreement about this on iNat.

E. hirta or nemorum?

On Physocarpus malvaceus (Mallow-leaf Ninebark) flowers.

78
Bombus nevadensis flavidus
(Nevada Bumble Bee)
14 Jun 2017
77
Geum urbanum flavidus
(Wood Avens)
9 Jun 2017
76
Hesperis matronalis flavidus
(Dame's Rocket)
8 Jun 2017
75
Platycheirus stegnus flavidus
(Greater Punctate Sedgesitter)
7 Jun 2017

5 mm, female

Visiting Clarkia pulchella flowers

BugGuide ID

74
Lithobiomorpha
(Stone Centipedes)
5 Jun 2017

6 mm

Found under mushroom when making a spore ring

73
Aleochara sp.
5 Jun 2017

4 mm

Found under mushroom while making spore ring

72
Agaricus campestris flavidus
(Meadow Mushroom)
5 Jun 2017

Found in yard while mowing lawn.

cap diameter 15 cm, stem length 12 cm

Gills liquified into black goo after spore ring was made

71
Philodromus dispar flavidus
(Eurasian Running Crab Spider)
26 May 2017
70
Oxyopes scalaris flavidus
(Western Lynx Spider)
26 May 2017
69
Dysdera crocata flavidus
(Woodlouse Spider)
25 May 2017
68
Callipepla californica flavidus
(California Quail)
24 May 2017
67
Bombus vosnesenskii flavidus
(Yellow-faced Bumble Bee)
24 May 2017
66
Vanessa annabella flavidus
(West Coast Lady)
23 May 2017
65
Anthrenus scrophulariae flavidus
(Common Carpet Beetle)
23 May 2017
64
Podalonia sp.
(Cutworm Wasps)
23 May 2017
BugGuide ID
63
Tibellus sp.
(Slender Crab Spiders)
22 May 2017
BugGuide ID
62
Chrysoperla sp.
(Common Green Lacewings)
22 May 2017
BugGuide ID
61
Neoneides muticus flavidus
22 May 2017
60
Misumena vatia flavidus
(Goldenrod Crab Spider)
22 May 2017
Female
59
Tetramorium immigrans flavidus
(Immigrant Pavement Ant)
22 May 2017
58
Tipula sp.
Subgenus: Tipula
(Common Crane Flies)
21 May 2017
57
Nomada sp.
(Nomad Bees)
21 May 2017

~ 6 mm

Flying low over garden soil, stopping occasionally on the ground.

BugGuide ID Nomada female

56
Oniscus asellus flavidus
(Common Shiny Woodlouse)
20 May 2017
55
Bassaniana sp.
19 May 2017
BugGuide ID
54
Empididae
(Dance Flies)
19 May 2017
On sticky geranium flower
53
Rhionaeschna californica flavidus
(Calfornia Darner)
19 May 2017
52
Xanthorhoe defensaria flavidus
18 May 2017
BugGuide ID
51
Leucophora sp.
18 May 2017
BugGuide ID
50
Eristalis hirta flavidus
(Black-footed Drone Fly)
18 May 2017
There is some disagreement and discussion about this observation on iNat, but the consensus seems to be Eristailis hirta.
49
Cryptus rufovinctus flavidus
18 May 2017

Female

BugGuide

First and only iNat observation

48
Scaeva affinis flavidus
(White-bowed Smoothwing)
18 May 2017
47
Eristalis tenax flavidus
(Common Drone Fly)
18 May 2017
46
Poa bulbosa flavidus
(Bulbous Bluegrass)
15 May 2017
45
Amara familiaris flavidus
(Social Sun Beetle)
13 May 2017
5 mm BugGuide ID
44
Carabus nemoralis flavidus
(Bronze Ground Beetle)
9 May 2017
43
Formica sp.
(Wood, Mound, and Field Ants)
9 May 2017
BugGuide ID
42
Deroceras reticulatum flavidus
(Milky Slug)
9 May 2017
41
Lumbricus terrestris flavidus
(Common Earthworm)
9 May 2017
40
Ageleninae
(Typical Funnel Weavers)
9 May 2017
39
Oulema sp.
8 May 2017
38
Lucilia sp.
8 May 2017
37
Apis mellifera flavidus
(Western Honey Bee)
8 May 2017
36
Rhyparochromus vulgaris flavidus
8 May 2017
35
Gryllus sp.
7 May 2017
34
Dasysyrphus sp.
7 May 2017
Complex Dasysyrphus intrudens
33
Agrocybe pediades flavidus
(Common Fieldcap)
7 May 2017
32
Osmia lignaria propinqua
(Mason Bees)
7 May 2017
BugGuide ID
31
Taeniopterygidae
(Winter Stoneflies)
6 May 2017
On side of garage 14 mm from head to wing tip BugGuide ID
30
Emmelina monodactyla propinqua
(Morning-glory Plume Moth)
4 May 2017

23 mm wingspan

On west side of house

29
Camponotus modoc propinqua
(Western Black Carpenter Ant)
4 May 2017
28
Boisea rubrolineata propinqua
(Western Boxelder Bug)
4 May 2017
27
Sylvicola sp.
3 May 2017

~ 6 mm

Netted from a swarm in backyard

BugGuide ID left at Anisopodidae

26
Arhyssus scutatus propinqua
3 May 2017
25
Therion sp.
3 May 2017
Male
BugGuide ID
24
Adalia bipunctata propinqua
(Two-spotted Lady Beetle)
1 May 2017
23
Arion sp.
Subgenus: Mesarion
(Arion Slugs)
1 May 2017
22
Spilichneumon sp.
30 Apr 2017

~ 25 mm

On front porch. 10 deg C, cloudy and windy

21
Anthophora sp.
(Common Digger Bees)
28 Apr 2017

Fast moving, aggressive bee visiting golden currant flowers.

Cold and windy ~ 7 degrees C.

20
Zonotrichia leucophrys propinqua
(White-crowned Sparrow)
27 Apr 2017
19
Andrena sp.
(Mining Bees)
25 Apr 2017

BugGuide ID

female

18
Epalpus signifer propinqua
(Early Tachinid Fly)
21 Apr 2017
On Common Chickweed flowers
17
Scathophaga stercoraria propinqua
(Golden Dung Fly)
21 Apr 2017
BugGuide ID male
16
Bombus mixtus propinqua
(Fuzzy-horned Bumble Bee)
21 Apr 2017
15
Bombyliinae
21 Apr 2017
14
Melanostoma mellinum propinqua
(Variable Duskyface Fly)
21 Apr 2017

On Chickweed (Stellaria media) flower

BugGuide ID

male

13
Stellaria media propinqua
(Common Chickweed)
21 Apr 2017
12
Calliphora sp.
(Bluebottle Flies)
21 Apr 2017
BugGuide ID
11
Viola odorata propinqua
(Eurasian Sweet Violet)
21 Apr 2017
10
Hippodamia convergens propinqua
(Convergent Lady Beetle)
21 Apr 2017
9
Leptoglossus occidentalis propinqua
16 Mar 2017
8
Accipiter cooperii propinqua
(Cooper's Hawk)
27 Jan 2017
7
Regulus satrapa propinqua
(Golden-crowned Kinglet)
12 Jan 2017
6
Haemorhous mexicanus propinqua
(House Finch)
11 Jan 2017
5
Ixoreus naevius propinqua
(Varied Thrush)
10 Jan 2017
4
Sciaridae
(Dark-winged Fungus Gnats)
10 Jan 2017

Length: 3 mm

The first photo was taken live on inside of window. The second was after I put it in the freezer for a half hour.

3
Bombycilla garrulus propinqua
(Bohemian Waxwing)
10 Jan 2017
Horrible picture, I know. But the flock (~20) flew away before I could get any others.
2
Coccinella trifasciata propinqua
(Three-banded Lady Beetle)
8 Jan 2017
1
Zenaida macroura propinqua
(Mourning Dove)
3 Jan 2017