Insects in the Goldenrod
A mason wasp, I believe.
A long-horned bee (Melissodes agilis).
Summer’s end always goes out in a flash of gold here in central PA, and one of the most notable sights of gold among the landscape is the abundant blooms of goldenrod. Pennsylvania has over 30 species of native goldenrod, and these beautiful plants have a significant role in our ecosystem supporting an incredibly vast and diverse amount of wildlife, especially insects. I took my macro lens out with me recently on a walk to pause and pay closer attention to the smaller lives among the golden meadow of the acres which we all call home, and there was so much to observe!
Foamy-looking secretions, likely from nymphal froghoppers.
A gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus).
I believe these are aphids of various sizes.
A banded garden spider (Argiope trifasciata).
It really is so interesting to pause at the goldenrod flowers and just simply watch. It’s easiest to first hone in on the busy bees and flies that move around in more of hurry over the golden flower spikes, buzzing along as they go. And then the fluttering wings of a delicate butterfly or moth will also quickly catch the eye; on a closer look you can examine their curling “tongues,” also known as a proboscis, quivering over each little bloom getting a drink of nectar. After a few moments perhaps you’ll glance from the blossoms to the foliage, and meet the gaze of a curious green katydid perfectly camouflaged amongst the leaves. And see the glistening sunlight off a spider’s web, the creator of the woven masterpiece still as can be waiting on the silken threads for their next meal to come along. And on green goldenrod flower heads that have not yet opened, frothy bubbles hang as nymphal froghoppers, otherwise known as spittlebugs, feed on the plants.
From bees of all shapes and sizes, to flies that resemble bees, to common flies, to moths and skippers and butterflies, to beetles and ladybirds, to the katydids and grasshoppers and crickets, to the tiny aphids and ants, even a darting dragonfly, and so, so many more I fail to know the names of…there is an incredible population of hundreds and thousands, and likely hundreds of thousands, sharing this bountiful golden end of the season right beside us — but only we’ll notice when we pause to take that closer look. And never forget the gifts of noticing: wonder, curiosity, awe, beauty, peace, community, to name a few. Will you join with me in having a closer look at the small, but many insect lives appreciating the goldenrod this season?
