Fallacy Friday!

"Science is simply common sense at its best, that is, rigidly accurate in observation, and merciless to fallacy in logic."

— Thomas Huxley

Recently, I was gifted a nifty deck of Critical Thinking cards, each one highlighting a different logical fallacy. As someone who values rational thought and sound reasoning, I couldn't help but think about how beneficial these cards could be for a few people I know—especially folks in Oklahoma. Oh, who am I kidding? They probably wouldn't understand them. What logical fallacy did I just deploy? Fallacies can be used to mislead and manipulate public opinion. By recognizing these fallacies, we can better evaluate the validity of political arguments and make more informed decisions. Both Biden and Trump use logical fallacies in speeches: Straw Man, Appeal to Emotion, False Dichotomy, Ad Hominem, False Equivalence, and many more. It should be embarrassing, but most people never pick up on them.

Here are some examples:

"When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

"Sleepy Joe Biden doesn’t have the energy or the mental acuity to lead this country. He doesn’t even know where he is half the time."

"The Democrats want to take away your guns and destroy the Second Amendment."

"Donald Trump is the worst president we’ve ever had. He’s a clown."

"If we do not address climate change now, our children and grandchildren will face a planet that is uninhabitable."

"Republicans are trying to make it harder for you to vote because they know they can't win otherwise."

"Mail-in voting is a disaster. It leads to massive fraud and abuse."

"I know what it's like to lose family. I lost my first wife and daughter in a car accident, and my son to cancer. We can't let people like Trump, who don't understand real loss, lead this country."

"If we don't get our way, we're going to have to take drastic action. It's going to be the end of America as we know it."

"Every single time Republicans talk about healthcare reform, they want to cut Social Security and Medicare."

In terms of logic and/or reasoning, all of these statements are fallacious. But there's a gem of a fallacy called The Fallacy Fallacy. Also known as the Argument from Fallacy, it occurs when someone assumes that if an argument contains a logical fallacy, then the conclusion of that argument must be false. This is a mistake because even if the reasoning used to support a conclusion is flawed, the conclusion itself might still be true.

Here's a fantastic critical thinking statement:

"What can be asserted without evidence, can be dismissed without evidence."

― Christopher Hitchens

The principle behind his statement is that if someone makes a claim without providing any supporting evidence, others are not obligated to take that claim seriously or provide evidence to refute it. It underscores the idea that the burden of proof lies with the person making the assertion. Without evidence, a claim lacks the necessary support to be considered credible or worthy of serious consideration.

Perhaps I'll start posting a Friday logical fallacy feature, diagraming one used recently by a politician, reporter, celebrity or other public figure.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

Sandy Stream at Last!

"I used to dream about escaping my ordinary life, but my life was never ordinary. I had simply failed to notice how extraordinary it was."

― Ransom Riggs

I occasionally ponder what might have happened if, after my 15-year career in Information Technology, I had returned to school to become a field biologist. Part of me thinks I probably wouldn’t have as much fun as I do now—I enjoy experiencing nature at my own pace, without the pressure of turning it into a job. On the other hand, perhaps I would have developed a deeper scientific appreciation for things. To some extent, I have that now, thanks to natural history and science books I’ve chosen to read and my outdoor excursions. It was certainly nice to avoid the burden of massive college debt. I have friends who are or were professional biologists, and their work isn't glamorous—no one is paying you to have fun, but it can still be rewarding.

I like the gear ...

Playing in the mud ...

Visiting my favorite natural areas ...

Finally, there was enough beach exposed along the Wisconsin River near Sauk City to see if any Sandy Stream Tiger Beetles Ellipsoptera macra. There was at least one, perhaps two.

This is not a common tiger beetle, from this iNaturalist map:

Naturally, those two pins aren't the only places they can be found. Consider my Google Earth map below showing 3 locations near Sauk City where I've found Sandy Stream:

And the rest of the portraits, all the same individual ...

Another first of the year insect ...

Gnat Ogres!

Holcocephala are tiny predatory robber flies in the Asilidae family. These small insects are characterized by their elongated bodies, large compound eyes, and bristle-like facial hairs, giving them an "ogre-like" appearance. Gnat ogres are skilled aerial hunters, catching gnats and other small flying insects in mid-air using their excellent vision and slender legs. They inhabit various environments, including woodlands, grasslands, and gardens, where they perch on vegetation waiting for prey. Holcocephala undergo complete metamorphosis, with predatory larvae feeding on small invertebrates in the soil or leaf litter. These flies play a crucial role in controlling smaller insect populations, making them beneficial predators in their ecosystems.

As July unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the richness of the summer season—insects rule my naturalists' sensibilities. Frequent rains have painted the landscape with vibrant hues of green, making every walk through Nature a feast for the senses. The days are long and warm, inviting us to explore the outdoors and witness the symphony of life that thrives in this season. 

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

More Treehoppers!

"It's the little things, I expect. Little treasures we find without knowing their origin. And they come when we least expect them. It's beautiful, when you think about it."

― T.J. Klune

If you found my website after Catherine Jagoe's book reading, welcome aboard! I've been writing this blog for almost two decades. What you'll find here is mostly photography, stories, and descriptions of my excursions in Nature, but punctuated with the occasional rant about one thing or another. 

What we have here today is the Locust Treehopper Thelia bimaculata, and I was somewhat surprised to find them over the weekend at Deer Creek. I generally considered these late summer insects only because that's about the time I start looking for hoppers. So, I don't think they're early — they've probably always been out in July and I simply wasn't looking for them. For some unknown reason, I decided to check a patch of Locust Trees just out of curiosity. 

And there they were ...

A male above, and a female below ...

Being thorn mimics, the females can be trickier to find compared to the vibrant males.

See that little glistening ball of honeydew in the above photo? The hopper's excrement is loaded with various sugars, amino acids, salt, and other organic compounds — and ants just love it. One ant came by and quickly drew it in, while the one below waits for the next droplet. Perhaps one day I'll get a shot of an ant in the act, but it happens very quickly so it remains a challenge I'll accept for another outing.

Just before release, the hopper lifts up its armored helmet (pronotum) which signals ants that a meal is on the way. This relationship is a clear example of mutualism, where both species benefit. The treehoppers enjoy increased survival rates due to the protection offered by ants, while ants gain a reliable and nutritious food source. This mutualistic interaction can influence the distribution and population dynamics of both ants and treehoppers, as ants' protection allows treehoppers to feed more extensively on plants.

I spotted more males than females, but as I mentioned they're easier to find along the branches on account of their coloration. Sometimes they'll cluster in groups as many as six or more individuals by my observations, but here are two feeding next to one another.

Not far from the Locust Trees is a little path where I found a few Punctured Tiger Beetles ...

Note the subtle maculations on this next one, which the above one lacks ...

Bergamot is blooming ...

Crab Spiders are patrolling flower petals ...

And Spittlebugs hide ...

And I find them!

Their breeding season doesn't last long, so I thought I would check in on the Ghost Tiger Beetles at Sauk Prairie State Recreational Area one more time this summer. That spot right there in the photograph is where they call home. 

The late afternoon lighting was better for photographing these nifty beetles that blend so well with their sandy surroundings. So easily looked over, so much fun to spend time with.

The above ghostie is missing an antenna, most likely from another insect that grabbed ahold of it and wouldn't let go. It isn't a mortal injury, but antennae help tiger beetles navigate their environment by detecting chemical cues and physical obstacles. With one antenna missing, the beetle's ability to accurately sense its surroundings and navigate effectively might be a bit impaired.

As their season draws to a close, I bid my ghost pals a fond farewell until the summer of 2025. While they may not be my actual friends, these tiny creatures bring me a unique joy and excitement. Goodbye for now, little specters; I'll be eagerly awaiting your emergence in a year's time.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell

Spring Green Preserve Visit!

"People need wild places. Whether or not we think we do, we do. We need to be able to taste grace and know once again that we desire it. We need to experience a landscape that is timeless, whose agenda moves at the pace of speciation and glaciers. To be surrounded by the singing, mating, howling commotion of other species, all of which love their lives as much as we do ours, and none of which could possibly care less about our economic status or our running day calendar. Wildness puts us in our place." 

— Barbara Kingsolver

Gorgeous weather moved in for the weekend providing opportunities for hiking and nature photography. I didn't have any target insect species in mind, so Spring Green Preserve seemed like a perfect destination given its abundance of flora and fauna. There's a stasis at the present for tiger beetles as the Wisconsin River has risen once again from an abundance of rain. 

Our first little critter is Proctacanthus hinei, named in honor of James S. Hine, an American entomologist who made significant contributions to the study of Diptera (the order of insects that includes flies). Naming a species after a notable scientist is a common practice in taxonomy, serving to recognize their contributions to the field. James S. Hine worked extensively on the taxonomy and biology of various insect groups, and his work has had a lasting impact on entomological research. P. hinei is relatively large for a robber fly. Adults typically range in size from about 25 to 35 millimeters (1 to 1.4 inches) in length. Their size, combined with their robust and hairy bodies, makes them quite noticeable when they are perched or in flight.

Big Sand Tiger Beetles were out and about as well.

Prickly Pear were in full bloom at the preserve. The bright yellow flowers popped against the sandy landscape, adding a burst of color to the area. These tough little plants thrive in the dry conditions, showing off their spiky pads and beautiful blossoms. It's amazing to see such vibrant blooms in this unique part of Wisconsin, making the preserve a must-visit spot for nature lovers.

Callirhoe digitata, commonly known as the Fringed Poppy Mallow or Finger-Leaf Poppy Mallow, is another beautiful wildflower found at Spring Green Preserve. This plant is part of the mallow family (Malvaceae) and is known for its striking, deep magenta flowers that resemble poppies. The flowers have a distinctive fringed appearance, adding to their visual appeal.

Callirhoe digitata typically grows in prairies, open fields, and along roadsides, thriving in well-drained soils and full sunlight. Its deeply divided, finger-like leaves are another characteristic feature, giving the plant its "digitata" name. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the Fringed Poppy Mallow adds a vibrant touch to the natural landscape and is a favorite among wildflower enthusiasts.

Here's a cool find! Though truly subjective, Archasia auriculata is an adorable treehopper with its unique and whimsical appearance. The intricate structures on its pronotum, which can look like miniature helmets or shields, give it a charming and almost otherworldly look. These features make treehoppers a favorite among insect enthusiasts and nature photographers.

After a tasty lunch at the Spring Green General Store, it was late enough in the afternoon to consider looking for Prairie Fame Flower Phemeranthus parviflorus. Unlike the East Unit of the preserve, the West Unit was alive with Passerina cyanea — their songs were borderline obnoxious. While one singing every few minutes can be a serene experience, four or more singing together renders a clamorous racket. 

And nearly on cue!

But only one ...

As if almost on an alert standby, insects immediately exploit the new source of flower nectar ...

Above, a lovely Mourning Cloak portrait, and below a Tiger Moth ...

Aren't you glad I didn't post another 1st Amendment rant? For me writing about that sort of thing is a cathartic exercise, but I don't really expect to change anyone's mind. At least I know that through this blog, field trips, and my photography I have inspired others — more on that in a future post. Anyway, here's a photograph of the Wisconsin River at the Sauk Canoe Launch. This may sound like my wordly priorities are a bit skewed, but the river has been a source of concern this spring and summer. I don't anticipate getting all 16 Wisconsin tiger beetles for the year, but I only saw a single Sandy Stream last year — it would be nice to see them in good numbers like I've observed in the past. With little beach and no sandbars, the prospect looks rather poor. To be sure, this isn't the end of the world and I know one day soon I will see them again, but I contend that life’s beauty is in the little things.

All images © 2024 Mike McDowell