Sunday, October 6, 2024

Gold rush

 
Lophocampa maculata - Spotted Tussock Moth
Where did we stay last year?

The bright yellow color of this Spotted Tussock moth caterpillar made it easy to spot as it headed up the fourth step of the porch, looking to find itself an overwintering spot.

The Lophocampa maculata, the Yellow Spotted Tussock moth, is really a Tiger moth.  Those hair tufts on the caterpillar cause it to be called a "tussock moth caterpillar".  This caterpillar has five spots; the fifth one is next to the banding at its rear.


Friday, October 4, 2024

Who lives here?

 
Passing by, a spider web in this fence post catches the eye:

fence post with spider web


We peek in, and spy:
 

Spider weba nd spide on fence post


It's a spider.  Oh my! 
 
That may very well be a spider of the Agelenidae (funnel-weaver) family.