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Backyard Bugs: An Identification Guide to Common Insects, Spiders, and More
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About Backyard Bugs: An Identification Guide To Common
Product Description Get to know the bugs in your backyard. How many times have you seen a bug and wondered, “What in the world is that?” Here’s an easy and fun way to identify backyard bugs. Acclaimed entomologist and nature author Jaret C. Daniels presents a simple yet informative guide to backyard bugs of the United States and southern Canada. Featuring more than 150 species organized by where the bugs are generally found―such as at lights or on flowers―this fascinating book covers everything from ants to mosquitoes to spiders. Its easy-to-use format, full-color photographs, and neat-to-know information are handy for homeowners, gardeners, campers, and even children. As an added bonus, there are bug-related activities for families to enjoy. When you see a bug, look it up. You’ll be amazed by what you learn! About the Author Jaret C. Daniels, Ph.D., is a professional nature photographer, author, native plant enthusiast and entomologist at the University of Florida, specializing in insect ecology and conservation. He has authored numerous scientific papers, popular articles, and books on gardening, wildlife conservation, insects, and butterflies, including butterfly field guides for Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Ohio, and Michigan. He is also co-author of Wildflowers of Florida Field Guide and Wildflowers of the Southeast Field Guide. Jaret lives in Gainesville, Florida, with his wife, Stephanie. Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. Bugs Found at Lights: Butterflies and Moths (Order Lepidoptera): Underwing Moth Size: Variable; wingspan 1.5–3.0 inches ID Tips: Variable; forewings typically dark with barklike pattern and hind wings with colorful bands Range: Throughout the United States This is a highly distinctive and diverse group of moths with more than 100 species found in North America. Adults have stout bodies and dark, dull-colored forewings with mottled or barklike patterns that they hold over their back while at rest. As a result, they are highly camouflaged when sitting on tree trunks, a common location to find them during daylight hours. However, when disturbed, underwing moths quickly spread their wings to reveal much brighter hind wings below before flying off to a nearby tree. Colored with bands of red, pink, yellow, orange, and even white, this hind wing pattern, coupled with their rapid wing motion, may help to startle interested predators. The showy nature of this group has made them popular with collectors and naturalists alike. Active at night, underwing moths are commonly attracted to artificial lights or may readily be drawn to sugar baits. Believe It or Not: Underwing moths have simple ears that enable them to hear the ultrasound of a night-hunting bat. This early detection helps them avoid capture; to do so, they either move away from the approaching bat or fly erratically. Giant Leopard Moth Size: Wingspan 2.5–3.5 inches ID Tips: Large; elongated white forewings with a mix of solid black and hollow black spots Range: The eastern United States With its bold white-and-black pattern, there is absolutely no mistaking this striking insect. The sizable giant leopard moths are common at artificial lights. If disturbed, they often drop to the ground and temporarily play dead. When doing so, they curl up their plump abdomens to reveal a bold-orange-and-iridescent-blue pattern, likely serving to scare off potential predators. If further molested, the moth secretes acrid yellow droplets from glands in its thorax. The large larvae are deep black with bright red rings on their bodies. They have a broad host range, feeding on a wide assortment of different plants and may readily move from one species to another. Fully grown larvae may reach three inches in length and are often spotted wandering along the ground in fall as they search for a protected site in which to overwinter. Believe It or Not: Aptly named, the giant leopard moth is the largest tiger mo
