Fleas

The recent rain splatter we received set off a large number of winged insects to start the mating cycle. Winged ants and termites can be seen at the edges of nests.

As the hot and dry weather continues, the lives of the insects goes on. The monarchs are migrating through in ever greater numbers, but I still have not caught a picture of one yet, I suspect they are more likely to be found on the mountain tops. Here are a picture of the adult viceroy migrator, and a caterpillar of a morning cloak butterfly that lays eggs in the Rio Grande valley. ( I had to rescue it from the ditch)

The cicadas are sprouting wings, crawling out from underground, and being sought out by the cicada killer wasps. 

Commonly mistaken for wasps arethis small bumblebee (Left). And a non stinging sand digger wasp found on my car after work. Look at those gorgeous green eyes!

Somehow this owlet insect came out a beautiful blue with the flash on the sodium overhead lights. This shot was after the rain flurry.

Many flowers come out in the dark after the rain. Pale colors attract moths. But there are also pale blues, muted oranges, cream, and pale whites, like this sacred datura bloom that closes each day. The violent yellow of the sunflowers and cactus flowers will be coming soon.

This moth caterpillar is getting noticable as they grow bigger over the summer. The ground under the elms are becoming littered with their frass, or droppings. They hang from threads as a defense again predator ants, but have to get into the leaves during the day to eat .

There is an outbreak of fleas on the pampered pooches in the neighborhood. The occasional cockroach is seen in the valley, but no where like the infectations that occur in the city. The line between parasites and biological food webs is thin. Here is a cattle egret blown in by the storms from the Southeast watching for insects disturbed by the movements of a unsuspecting cow. on the Right is lizard that has learnt that insects are attracted to the UV lights I put out to bring small insects within reach of my captive toads. A moocher, but as long as he doesn't knock over the containers...