"And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow in fast movies, I had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer."
— F.Scott Fitzgerald
I've been on the prowl for Sandy Stream Tiger Beetles. Sandbars along the Wisconsin River are emerging with the receding water, prompting me to visit the Arena Boat Landing last Sunday. I didn't find any Sandy Stream yet, but there were hundreds of Hairy-necked Tiger Beetles on patrol.
These were some of the most frenetic tiger beetles I've ever encountered. It was late morning and they were super-charged with running, flying, and hunting.
These two were fighting over an unidentified food item. For a brief moment, three others joined the fray but were unable to dislodge the original beetle's grip on the food with its mandibles.
Hairy-necked Tiger beetles often hunt in the wet sand along riverbanks due to the abundance of prey and the optimal hunting conditions this environment provides. The damp sand is teeming with small insects and other arthropods that tiger beetles feed on, making it a rich hunting ground. Additionally, the wet sand offers a firm surface for these agile predators to chase down their prey with their incredible speed and precision. The reflective nature of the moist surface also aids in spotting potential meals.
But in the dry sand ...
Lots of copulation going on!
The deed is done! But the male continues to mate-guard.
Various butterflies were also engaged with using the wet sandy areas to extract sustenance.
Over the weekend, I spotted my first Dogbane Leaf Beetles of the year. While they are also Coleoptera, their behavior and ecology are entirely different from tiger beetles. Despite their docile nature, capturing the true colors of these ornate beetles requires just the right lighting.
Common Milkweed Beetle.
Ornate Snipe Fly.
And some close-up shots of Butterfly Milkweed, and here's a Buckeye Butterfly ...
As we welcome the Summer Solstice tomorrow, Nature transitions from the freshness of spring to the vibrancy of summer. The longest day of the year brings abundant sunlight, encouraging plants to flourish and critters to become more active. Spring's delicate blossoms give way to lush, full foliage, and the air hums with bugs. Well, there are some unwelcome insects celebrating summer's arrival, especially after all the recent rains — the mosquitoes particularly bad right now!
All images © 2024 Mike McDowell