"I think we are just insects, we live a bit and then die and that's the lot. There's no mercy in things. There's not even a Great Beyond. There's nothing."
― John Fowles, The Collector
Last weekend, Sue and I finally hiked the Roznos Meadow Trail at Devil’s Lake State Park — a trail we've passed countless times on the way into the main park but had never actually explored. Part of the nationally recognized Ice Age Trail network, it starts out across open prairie, then winds into the woods near the base of the East Bluff Basin. There's an ephemeral waterfall along the way, but it was dry — we'll come back during the spring thaw to check again.
There it is in the lower-right. The trail cuts through what looked like great tiger beetle habitat, but none were out and about during this outing. Perhaps a re-check in September is in order.
Among the many prairie plants along the trail was Rattlesnake Master (Eryngium yuccifolium), its spiky, spherical blooms standing out against the grasses. Once we entered the woods, the understory changed completely—lush with a variety of ferns thriving in the cool, shaded soil. Overhead, the songs of Red-eyed Vireos, a Yellow-throated Vireo, Ovenbird, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Acadian Flycatcher, and others filled the canopy. It's always a treat to hear an avian chorus this late in the breeding season.
On the way back across the prairie to the parking lot, we came upon a Viceroy resting low in the grasses. I managed to sneak up on it to get a good portrait before it took off. Given the flowery habitat, I expected to see more butterflies, but aside from the Viceroy, there were only a few fritillaries and some crescents flitting about.
Meanwhile, closer to home near Deer Creek ...
Black Locust Treehoppers!
Vanduzea arquata is a small sap-feeding treehopper in the Membracidae family, often found on black locust trees (Robinia pseudoacacia). Adults are a mere 5–7 mm long and easily recognized by their arched, helmet-like pronotum, which blends in well with the twigs and stems they inhabit.
They typically gather in clusters along young branches, where they pierce the plant tissue to feed on sap. Like many treehoppers, Vanduzea arquata produces honeydew, which attracts ants; in return, the ants protect the treehoppers from predators.
It's fascinating to watch ...
In case you were wondering, ants actively encourage the treehoppers to excrete their honeydew. They do this by tapping or stroking the treehopper's abdomen or legs with their antennae. This stimulation prompts the treehopper to release a drop of honeydew, which the ant quickly consumes.
These two seemed deep in conversation — plotting something ... or maybe it's love? Of course, pure anthropomorphism, but a little whimsy never hurts, right?
I think I would be irritated ... "Leave me alone!"
Peace! Finally ...
Though there's a lull in the tiger beetle season at present, the broader insecting scene is still going full speed. Tiger Beetling will pick up again in late August—right around the time fall bird migration begins nudging me to start looking for southbound songbirds.
All images © 2025 Mike McDowell