Black-and-Yellow Argiope Spider (Argiope aurantia) juvenile

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Black-and-Yellow Argiope Spider (Argiope aurantia) [juvenile]

Also called writing spiders, banana spiders

The stabilimentum of adults is in a zig zag pattern. Juveniles stay within a circular “bullseye” stabilimentum and seem almost invisible until they acquire their coloring as they age.

These spiders are pest control machines. I’ve seen them eating grasshoppers on numerous occasions, some much larger than themselves. They also are my favorites because they capture May Beetles before they can fly into the house at night when the door opens.

Learn: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-24_spider_blackandyellow_argiope.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens alba

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2020/07/16/along-came-a-spider/

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Syrphid Fly (Ocyptamus sp. possibly antiphates)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Syrphid Fly (Ocyptamus sp. possibly antiphates)

Family Syrphidae – Syrphid Flies
Subfamily Syrphinae
Tribe Syrphini
Genus Ocyptamus

These types of syrphids are also referred to as hover flies or flower flies.

They are beneficial. Larvae preys on softbodied insects including aphids.

Adults pollinate.

Learn: http://www.syrphidae.com/whatisasyrphidae.php

Learn more: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1644440/bgpage

general syrphid fly info: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/NE/syrphid_flies.html

Shown on Florida Native Plant: PAINTEDLEAF; FIRE-ON-THE-MOUNTAIN (Poinsettia cyathophora)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/08/05/aphids-are-good-wait-what/

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Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) with Sharpshooter Prey

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Green Lynx Spider (Peucetia viridans) with Sharpshooter prey

appears to have snagged one of the Sharpshooters which feed on the plants.  Love when nature keeps things in balance.

These spiders do not construct a web capturing prey by grabbing it when it gets close. It will capture pest insects but also will be found with pollinators in its clutches which may upset some, but Ive seen it with stink bugs and leaffooted bugs and similar so it is quite beneficial in my book.

Learn: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-48_green_lynx_spider.htm

Learn more: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/beneficial/green_lynx_spider.htm

and more: http://bugguide.net/node/view/2032

Shown on Florida Native Plant: PINEBARREN GOLDENROD (Solidago fistulosa)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2017/10/07/and-in-this-corneractive-arachnids/

My take 2: Lynx Spiders: Its a boy and a girl and a boy etc.
http://osceolaflgardenblahblahblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/lynx-spiders-its-boy-and-girl-and-boy.html

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Hanging-thief Robberfly (Diogmites sp. possibly neoternatus)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Hanging-thief Robberfly (Diogmites sp. possibly neoternatus)

Order Diptera – Flies
No Taxon Orthorrhapha
Superfamily Asiloidea
Family Asilidae – Robber Flies
Subfamily Dasypogoninae

predatory on other insects.

Learn: http://www.hr-rna.com/RNA/Main%20pages/Diogmites%20frame%20page.htm

http://plaza.ufl.edu/dcollins/Robberflies/pages/IMG_6901.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: PINEBARREN GOLDENROD (Solidago fistulosa)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/09/03/i-was-robbed/

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Ground Beetle (Calleida sp. probably decora)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Ground Beetle (Calleida sp. probably decora)

New to my buggy life list.  Relatively small. Beneficial.

Family Carabidae – Ground Beetles
Subfamily Harpalinae
Supertribe Harpalitae
Tribe Lebiini
Subtribe Calleidina

Predatory on small insects;

Adults minor pollination

Learn: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in604

Learn more: LIFE STORY OF A PREDATOR, CALLEIDA DECORA scentsoc.org/Volumes/JAE/v1/1/00011068.pdf

“an important biocontrol agent of pests of soybeans ” (source: http://www.fsca-dpi.org/Coleoptera2/Mike/carabid1.htm)

Shown on Florida Native Plant: PINEBARREN GOLDENROD (Solidago fistulosa)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/meet-the-beetles/

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Predatory Stink Bug (Perillus strigipes)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Predatory Stink Bug (Perillus strigipes)

New to my buggy life list. This is one of the predatory stinks bugs which feed on other insects so considered beneficial.

Infraorder Pentatomomorpha
Superfamily Pentatomoidea
Family Pentatomidae – Stink Bugs
Subfamily Asopinae – Predatory Stink Bugs

Learn: https://www.gbif.org/species/2079152

Stink bug field guide: https://www.ars.usda.gov/ARSUserFiles/30842/Field Guide to Stink Bugs.pdf

Shown on Florida Native Plant: PINEBARREN GOLDENROD (Solidago fistulosa)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/03/28/it-just-stinksor-does-it/

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Robberfly ( Lampria bicolor)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Robberfly ( Lampria bicolor)

New to my buggy life list.  Pretty excited since this seems to be an unusual find in Florida.
I am basing that on the fact that I-naturalist doesn’t have any documented sightings in the state. https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/61573-Lampria-bicolor

Order Diptera – Flies
No Taxon Orthorrhapha
Superfamily Asiloidea
Family Asilidae – Robber Flies
Subfamily Laphriinae

It does appear on the List of Florida Asilidae: http://plaza.ufl.edu/dcollins/Robberflies/frame2.htm

predatory on other insects.

Shown on Florida Native Plant: : Spanish Needles (Bidens alba)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/09/03/i-was-robbed/

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Colorful Foliage Ground Beetle (Lebia viridis)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Colorful Foliage Ground Beetle (Lebia viridis)

Colorful Foliage Ground Beetle (Lebia viridis)

This pretty blue beetle is relatively small. Beneficial.

Family Carabidae – Ground Beetles
Subfamily Harpalinae
Supertribe Harpalitae
Tribe Lebiini
Subtribe Lebiina

genus Predatory on small insects; some parasitize leaf beetle larvae (http://bugguide.net/node/view/12464)

adults in this genus feed on eggs and early instar larvae of prey

More on predatory behavior:
http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00102043/00001/5?search=lebia (pg 16)

http://ufdc.ufl.edu/UF00102043/00001/3

Adults minor pollination

Learn: http://bugguide.net/node/view/12464

florida species in this genus http://www.fsca-dpi.org/Coleoptera2/Mike/carabid1.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba)

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/04/28/meet-the-beetles/

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Grape Flea Beetle Larvae (Altica sp.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Grape Flea Beetle Larvae (Altica sp.)

Hard to get this genus down to species. May be A. torquata or A. chalybea which are said to feed on Vitis sp. in Florida. source:  UF/IFAS

Makes “swiss cheese” of leaves but the plants survive.   “Although these species may become pests because they feed on economically important plants, some flea beetles in this genus may be considered beneficial because of their significant use for bio-control…”

Family Chrysomelidae – Leaf Beetles
Subfamily Galerucinae – Skeletonizing Leaf Beetles and Flea Beetles
Tribe Alticini – Flea Beetles

Shown on Florida Native Plant: MUSCADINE {GRAPE} (Vitis rotundifolia) 

My take:  https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/03/02/the-good-in-grapevines/

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Graceful Twig Ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Graceful Twig Ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis)

a.k.a. Elongate Twig Ant, Mexican Twig Ant, Slender Twig Ant

Although the ant is not a Florida native, it does help keep a balance in the garden since it is a predator.  Said to have a painful bite.

Learn: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/ants/elongate_twig_ant.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens Alba

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2020/02/26/ant-supermodels-in-the-garden/

 

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Caribbean Scoliid Wasp (Dielis dorsata)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY:  Caribbean Scoliid Wasp (Dielis dorsata)

syn. Campsomeris dorsata

Superfamily Scolioidea
Family Scoliidae – Scoliid Wasps
Subfamily Campsomerinae

Introduced to Florida. ” to aid in reducing coleopteran pests in sugar cane agricultural systems. … and might still be an important biological control agent of white grubs in sugar cane as well as turf production and maintenance.”

Learn: https://bioone.org/journals/Florida-Entomologist/volume-101/issue-3/024.101.0334/The-Introduction-and-Establishment-of-Campsomeris-dorsata-Hymenoptera–Scoliidae/10.1653/024.101.0334.full

INaturalist is where I got the common name from Caribbean Scoliid Wasp

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba)

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Margined Leatherwing Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus marginatus)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Margined Leatherwing Soldier Beetle (Chauliognathus marginatus)

Soldier Beetles feed on pollen and nectar. Adult is also predatory, and may eat small insects such  as aphids

Larva is predatory, known to attack corn earworm and corn borer.

Learn: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/soldier/soldier.htm

Learn more, including lifecycle: https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/ENTO/ENTO-53/ENTO-53.html

Shown on Florida Native Plant GROUNDSEL TREE; SEA MYRTLE (Baccharis halimifolia), a.k.a. Saltbush

My take: http://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/03/21/pollinators-soldier-boy-oh-my-little-soldier-boy/

There is a fungus that is a natural control of populations:  https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2018/12/10/night-of-the-living-dead-part-ii-carpenters-and-soldiers/

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Scoliid Wasp (Dielis sp. possibly trifasciata)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY:  Scoliid Wasp  (Dielis sp. possibly trifasciata)

This male was catching a snooze in the flower.

beneficial: parasitic on Scarab Beetle larvae.

Superfamily Scolioidea
Family Scoliidae – Scoliid Wasps
Subfamily Campsomerinae
Genus Dielis

“….scoliid larvae are external parasitoids of soil-inhabiting scarab beetle larvae”

Learn: https://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/wasps/scoliid_wasps.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: ASTER (Symphyotrichum sp.)

 

 

Yellow can be seen on the middle tibia which is how I arrived at this species identification. Conversation at: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1058436

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Tiphiid Wasp (Tiphia sp.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Tiphiid Wasp (Tiphia sp.)

Parasitoids of White Grubs (larva of japanese beetles)  This guy (gal?) was enjoying the honeydew produced by aphids on the wild lime tree.

“Tiphia wasps’ presence is greatly influenced by the availability of adult food sources. The female adults feed in the morning in vegetations for food, such as nectar or honeydews (emitted by aphids or whiteflies), before looking for grubs to deposit their eggs. Under favorable conditions they can parasitize up to 60% of beetle larvae in a given area. Like other insects, they are killed by pesticide, so it is not advised to use pesticides indiscriminately (Ohio State University, 2003).”

Learn: http://www.oisat.org/control_methods/natural_enemies/parasitoids/tiphia_wasp.html

Learn more: http://www.crec.ifas.ufl.edu/media/crecifasufledu/faculty/rogers/11RogersandPotter2004c.pdf

“Two species of tiphiid wasps, Tiphia vernalis Rohwer and Tiphia popilliavora Rohwer have proven successful biocontrol agents against Japanese beetle grubs (Fleming 1976). Tiphia vernalis attacks overwintering grubs, whereas Tiphia popilliavora attacks young grubs in late summer.” source: https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in630

Shown on Florida Native Plant: WILD LIME; LIME PRICKLYASH (Zanthoxylum fagara)

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Green Lacewing Debris-Carrying Larvae (Family Chrysopidae) attacking scale

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Green Lacewing Debris-Carrying Larvae (Family Chrysopidae) attacking scale

Shown on Florida Native Plant:  SENSITIVE PEA (Chamaecrista nictitans var. aspera)

larval and adults are beneficial predators of other insects, especially aphids.  This one was after the scale insects.

click here for additional photo 1.

click here for additional photo 2.

see eggs from prior year:  https://centralfloridacritteroftheday.wordpress.com/2015/07/11/green-lacewing-eggs-family-chrysopidae/

adult: https://centralfloridacritteroftheday.wordpress.com/2014/11/03/green-lacewing-ceraeochrysa-sp/

Learn: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/BENEFICIAL/green_lacewings.htm

My take:  https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2015/08/02/did-that-cocoon-just-walk-away/

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Chalcid Wasp (Conura sp.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Chalcid Wasp (Conura sp.)

Parasitic.

Family Chalcididae – Chalcidid Wasps
Subfamily Chalcidinae

Primary hosts are beetles and flies, but it also uses butterflies and moths.  Click here for list of known prey, predators and plant associates

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens alba

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Jumping spider (Hentzia sp.)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Jumping spider (Hentzia sp.) female

Female miniscule.

Learn: http://salticidae.org/salticid/diagnost/hentzia/hentzia.htm

drawings: http://www.jumping-spiders.com/php/tax_drawings.php?id=2005

distribution of genus: http://salticidae.org/salticid/catalog/hentzia.htm

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens alba

Male:  https://centralfloridacritteroftheday.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/jumping-spider-hentzia-palmarum-with-prey/

My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/itzy-and-bitzynew-spiders-for-me/

Jumping spider (Hentzia sp.) female

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Mason Wasp (Zethus spinipes variegatus)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Mason Wasp (Zethus spinipes variegatus)

Larval host: caterpillars

Diet: Adults take nectar

Learn: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/wasps/zethus_wasps.htm

http://bugguide.net/node/view/143570

Shown on Florida Native Plant:  TALL ELEPHANTSFOOT (Elephantopus elatus)

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Caribbean Scoliid Wasp (Dielis dorsata)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY:  Caribbean Scoliid Wasp (Dielis dorsata)

New to my buggy life list.

syn. Campsomeris dorsata

Superfamily Scolioidea
Family Scoliidae – Scoliid Wasps
Subfamily Campsomerinae

Introduced to Florida. ” to aid in reducing coleopteran pests in sugar cane agricultural systems. … and might still be an important biological control agent of white grubs in sugar cane as well as turf production and maintenance.”

Learn: https://bioone.org/journals/Florida-Entomologist/volume-101/issue-3/024.101.0334/The-Introduction-and-Establishment-of-Campsomeris-dorsata-Hymenoptera–Scoliidae/10.1653/024.101.0334.full

INaturalist is where I got the common name from Caribbean Scoliid Wasp

Shown on Florida Native Plant: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba)

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Thynnid Wasp (probably Myzinum carolinianum)

CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Thynnid Wasp (probably Myzinum carolinianum)

Beneficial

Larvae are parasitoids of white grubs so can be used in biological control.

Adults pollinate

Learn: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/IN/IN85700.pdf

Learn more: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in857 (*)

* It seems that this species was moved from Typhiidae family

Taxonomy (source: bugguide.net):
Order Hymenoptera – Ants, Bees, Wasps and Sawflies
No Taxon Aculeata – Ants, Bees and Stinging Wasps
Superfamily Thynnoidea
Family Thynnidae – Thynnid Wasps
Subfamily Myzininae
Genus Myzinum

Key: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/288606203_Taxonomic_Purgatory_Sorting_Out_The_Wasp_Genus_Myzinum_Latreille_In_North_America_Hymenoptera_Tiphiidae_Myzininae

Thynnid Wasp (probably Myzinum carolinianum)

My take: Got Grubs? Help is on the Way

Click here to see confirmed photos of female at my place on Saltbush

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