Fluidr / Nature by Travis Bonovsky's "Insects, Bees & Spiders" set sorted randomly

Squash vine borer on Common Milkweed flower

A Nikon D7100 — 1/200s ƒ/10 ISO 320 at 600 mm

N 110 B 4.9K C 6 E Jun 19, 2017 F Jun 19, 2017

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Great Black Wasp on Swamp Milkweed

A Nikon D7100 — 1/1000s ƒ/9 ISO 800 at 500 mm

N 10 B 152 C 2 E Aug 4, 2015 F Aug 8, 2015

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Not bad for 500mm :)

Bumblebee on Penstemon digitalis (Foxglove Beardtongue)

A Nikon D7200 — 1/800s ƒ/10 ISO 320 at 600 mm

N 7 B 272 C 2 E Jun 25, 2019 F Jun 25, 2019

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Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp

A Nikon D500 — 1/2500s ƒ/8 ISO 1000 at 600 mm

N 7 B 138 C 1 E Jul 13, 2024 F Jul 16, 2024

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A few days ago I was out wandering and noticed this gigantic and menacing looking insect. It was easily over an inch long, with bright red legs and golden fuzz on parts of its body -similar to a Great Golden Digger Wasp. But its body was different, larger, and black with yellow striping. I initially wondered if it was one of those invasive "Murder Hornets" which arrived in the U.S. in 2019 I think. Thankfully, that initial guess was incorrect! It turns out this is an Eastern Cicada-killer Wasp. These solitary wasps are known for capturing cicadas, paralyzing them and then laying eggs on them. A gruesome, but common behavior in the insect world. Apparently they are not aggressive towards humans for the most part, and only the female can sting. I've heard about them years back but this was the first I'd ever seen in person. Hennepin County, MN 07/13/24

Graceful Sedge Grasshopper(?) on Hoary Vervain

A Nikon D7100 — 1/500s ƒ/10 ISO 320 at 600 mm

N 15 B 275 C 0 E Jul 29, 2016 F Jul 30, 2016

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