On Saturday, May 9, an enthusiastic group of bug fans explored the insects of Sutter’s Landing Park. Local entomologists Larry Bezark, Nita Davidson, and Marshall Lee, led the expedition. We met at the parking lot, quickly grabbed nets, and wandered down the trail for a lesson on insect classification. Many of us had seen true bugs before such as box elder bugs and stink bugs, but didn’t know how they differed from beetles. We also learned about net-swinging techniques and habitats and microhabitats where entomologists look for insects. Check out the photos below for details.
We found a variety of insects, including box elder bugs, leafhoppers, spittlebugs, tiger beetles, click beetles, scarab beetles, a snakefly, robber fly, and an anise swallowtail. We watched an immature dragonfly crawl out of the water to a place where it could transform into an adult dragonfly. Along the river bank, we found clumps of sandbar willows with sawfly stem galls.
The insects by the river match the ever-changing plant cycles, so chances are we’ll always see something new. By August, the FORB adventure will involve dragonflies, and we should see a cross section of insect life very different from that of early May.
The last two photos below include a view of a family of Great horned owls seen across the river nearby and some amazing banners at Sutter's Landing Park made and installed by a great group of young talented "gremlins"! Wow, you never know what you'll see next at Sutter's Landing Park.
We found a variety of insects, including box elder bugs, leafhoppers, spittlebugs, tiger beetles, click beetles, scarab beetles, a snakefly, robber fly, and an anise swallowtail. We watched an immature dragonfly crawl out of the water to a place where it could transform into an adult dragonfly. Along the river bank, we found clumps of sandbar willows with sawfly stem galls.
The insects by the river match the ever-changing plant cycles, so chances are we’ll always see something new. By August, the FORB adventure will involve dragonflies, and we should see a cross section of insect life very different from that of early May.
The last two photos below include a view of a family of Great horned owls seen across the river nearby and some amazing banners at Sutter's Landing Park made and installed by a great group of young talented "gremlins"! Wow, you never know what you'll see next at Sutter's Landing Park.
Photo by Gareth Goodwin-Archer
Photo by Gareth Goodwin-Archer
Photo by Gareth Goodwin-Archer
Photo by Gareth Goodwin-Archer
The hunt is on! Photo by Robert Sewell
Tiger Beetle. Photo by Robert Sewell
Brand new dragonfly. Photo by Robert Sewell
You never know what you'll see along the parkway:
Great horned owls family portrait, May 11. Photo by Kathy Kayner
The river gremlins did it! Photo by Dale Steele
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