Carrot Plant Bug

I suck, therefore I am. Such is the life of a Carrot Plant Bug. Is it lonely having a straw for a mouth? At times. I am at peace when the plant juices flow. Meditating on the gurgle from the phloem. But I would like to share this joy with you
#NonHumanNeighbours #Bugsky #Insects #Nature #Photography

Red Maple bud blooming a flower

I feel a stirring. Stretch my limbs after a long winter’s rest and raise a twig to test the air. The wind blows through my barren branches just so. Not too hot. Not too cold. Time to pop some flowers and spread my seed. I am Red Maple.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Trees #Flowers #Nature #Photography #Plants

Definite Tussock Moth

Oh what large antennae you have, Definite Tussock Moth! All the better to smell you with, my dear. Stay where you are, my wingless beauty, and my antennae will lead me to you through the night.
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Bugsky #Insects #Nature #Photography #Wildlife #Cute

Snowy Urola Moth

I am known as Snowy Urola Moth. I may hide during the winter months, but must appear as a summer's snow when flitting through the air among the grasses. Like the snow, I seek another with which to merge and melt away my remaining days
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugsky #Nature

It's brighter on the outside, so it attracts more visitors. When they fly into the trap you would rather they settle down than stay excited.

Treble-bar moth

Make some noise! I'm Treble-bar, and this is my first North American tour! Pass up the St John's Wort and let's party! I smell your pheromones, ladies! This first song goes out to you. Paradise by the Front Porch Light. Two, Three, Four!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Bugsky #Insects #Nature

Flea Jumping Spider

May I have this dance? Unless you’re still hungry, in which case look upon those ants rather than this humble Flea Jumping Spider. I would rather court you than feed you today. Watch as my legs wave in the air, gently vibrate and drum just so. Interested?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Spiders #Bugsky #Nature

Mothing Ventured, Mothing Gained The Fascinating World of Mothing

Thanks! I describe the light trap I use in this post: open.substack.com/pub/adamfrit...

For the gear, I mostly use a simple macro lens attachment for my iPhone that I ordered online. I prefer to not have to download photos from my SLR camera to identify them on iNaturalist. Easier from my phone.

Common Grass-veneer moth

The night is warm and humid and grass grows as far as your compound eyes can see. You crawl out of your earth-bound cocoon freshly winged and craving companionship. You catch my scent on the wind and know that I'm your Common Grass-veneer
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugsky #Nature

Chaoborus punctipennis (male Phantom Midge))

I am the Phantom Midge! I have given up on my watery home to take to the skies. I will swarm together with my male companions to attract our lady friends. I do not eat. I do not sleep. I am singularly focused on one task - to mate! Join the swarm!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Flies #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Black-crescent Proteoteras moth

Hi there. I’m Black-crescent Proteoteras moth. If you’re like me, you’ve just crawled out from a boxelder twig burrow and are thinking: What now? We’ve spent long enough eating. It’s time to explore our adult selves. Will you join me?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Bugs #Insects #Nature

"What does a bird need to kill to get a beer around here?"

Tree Cattle (Bark Louse)

Hyah! Let's move fellow Tree Cattle! When I'm out on the bark range, I'm looking for more than just the best algae and fungi to scavenge. I'm also looking for love. Now that I've grown my wings, I'm ready to find a mate and grow the herd. Might that be you?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Imported Long-horned Weevil

OK, so I don't date, 'cause we got rid of men long ago (Parthenogenesis girls, look it up!), but I do have an axe to grind. They call me "Imported" Long-horned Weevil. I've been here since the 20s! Do I look Japanese? Just let me eat my grass roots in peace
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Rugosana querci (leafhopper)

I'm Rugosana querci, and I'm a little quirky. I'm an oak guy. Call me picky, but nothing else compares. I'm considered a leafhopper, but I don't just hop. I jump. Fly even. Anyone else? Show of tarsi? Would love to meet another hopper with a taste for oak
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Nature

What Exactly is Mud Season? Exploring the Vernal Window between Two Seasons

“Technically the period between when the last snow melts and when the leaves have fully flushed out, I like to think of the Vernal Window as the annual rebirth of hope.”
#NonHumanNeighbours #Spring #Birds #Salamanders #Plants #Migration #Nature #Trees #Insects #Bugs
open.substack.com/pub/adamfrit...

Rufous Sap Beetle

Hi, my name is Rufous Sap Beetle. My ideal date is to go on a picnic with a wide array of rotting fruit to share. Overripe tomatoes, fallen raspberries, maybe a glass of fermented strawberry juice. We’d eat our fill then see where the day takes us
#NonHumanNeighbours #Beetles #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Wood Avens flower

Come here little bee, I am a perfect flower. I am Wood Avens. I live in the shadows and spread through my burrs, but to you I am only as good as my nectar and pollen. You may prefer my cousin rose, but I will grow without fuss and guard against beasts
#NonHumanNeighbours #Plants #Flowers #Nature

Asian (or Harlequin) Lady Beetle

Hey baby, Asian Lady-killer, I mean, Beetle here. Are you ready for a Harlequin romance? They say I’m invasive, but you’ve invaded my dreams. What’s that? Do I have a sexually transmitted fungus?! Nooo, that’s just a new elytra gel. Babe? Babe?!
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Bugs #Beetles #Nature

Herpetogramma aquilonalis moth

Wait, are you H. abdominalis or H. thestealis?! Surprise! I've been Herpetogramma aquilonalis all along! Really, it took you until 2021 to figure it out? I know we all look alike, but all you had to do was ask. Come, let me show you my ways
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Purple Carrot-seed Moth

Are these flowers for me?! I just love carrot flowers. I'm Purple Carrot-seed Moth btw. I just arrived in 2008, and I love what you've done with your carrots. Although, your dill farmers are a little rude. Mind if I stick around for a bit?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Sharp-winged Drill moth

Hi. I'm Sharp-winged Drill moth. I don't know why they call me that, I sound like a monster. I prefer Common Daisy Moth. I like daisies. Oh and tansies! I'm not from around here. Do you know any nice flower beds? Want to show me around?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Crabapple tree in flower

You smell that? That's the smell of spring, baby. Come a little closer and have a taste. That's right, Crabapples can be just as sweet as our big brothers. There's more where that came from. Fly around and try out some more flowers. No rush
#NonHumanNeighbours #Trees #Flowers #Apples #Plants #Nature

Philadelphia Vireo

Yo, go birds! I'm Philadelphia Vireo. Do I live in Philly? No! But I migrated through once, and I liked it. Do I like real eagles? No! They might eat me. But football's different. Whatcha doin later? Wanna grab some bugs and make some babies? Let's do it
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Wildlife #Nature

Box Tree Moth

Psst. Are you a fellow Box Tree Moth? We gotta look out for each other. They discovered our invasion and are out to get us. You’d think they’d like us eating non-native boxwood shrubs, but I guess they’re “decorative.” Wanna meet up later?
#NonHumanNeighbours #Moths #teammoth #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Orange-humped Mapleworm moth

I’m your sugar maple. They call me Orange-humped Mapleworm, but I’m all grown up now. My orange-humped, worm-like days are behind me. Looking ahead, I’ve only got eyes for you. Why don’t you fly over and let’s discuss where to lay our eggs
#NonHumanNeighbours #teammoth #Moths #Insects #Bugs #Nature

Rumours of my Garden have been Greatly Exaggerated My Three-Step Process to Enjoy Gardening Without a Garden

“What I have become quite proficient at, through years of significant and steadfast practice, is letting my yard go feral.”
#NonHumanNeighbours #Insects #Flowers #Bugs #Birds #Gardening #Wildlife #Nature
open.substack.com/pub/adamfrit...

Meal Moth

Fellow Meal Moths. If you’re like me, cosmopolitan moths just trying to enjoy some milled grains in peace, then you must be tired of being shunned from the pantry. Join me in fighting this injustice by laying eggs where we please. Who’s in?
#NonHumanNeighbours #teammoth #Insects #Bugs #Moths #Nature

Tennessee Warbler

How y'all doin'? Ok, can I be honest with you? I'm a Tennessee Warbler, but I'm not from Tennessee. I just migrate through there and people started calling me that. Boreal warbler would be a better name, right? If you can relate, let's nest up
#NonHumanNeighbours #Birds #Wildlife #Warblers #Nature

Groundhog

Even hermits have needs. I know you understand. You must hear what they call us outside our burrows. Groundhog. Whistle-pig. Woodchuck. We do not chuck wood, and we wouldn't if we could. Let's come together to share a chuckle and have some chucklings
#NonHumanNeighbours #Mammals #Wildlife #Nature