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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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
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2019/05/22/itzy-and-bitzynew-spiders-for-me/
Jumping spider (Hentzia sp.) female
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CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Arabesque Orbweaver Spider (Neoscona arabesca)
One of the Spotted Orbweavers.
Larval host: Ichneumon Wasp (Acrotaphus wiltii) source: http://bugguide.net/node/view/44031
Diet: insects
Learn: http://bugguide.net/node/view/1991
Learn more: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/4753653#page/495/mode/1up
Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens alba
This Larra Wasp was the chosen prey for the above Arabesque Orbweaver Spider (Neoscona arabesca) and was hanging from a single string of silk across the Bidens.
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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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CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly (Erythemis simplicicollis) female
Female.
This species of dragonfly is noted for low flying and resting on the ground.
Dragonflies are beneficial in both larval stage (aquatic) and as adults where they take flying insects. males in this species are blue at certain stages of development.
Learn: http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/FieldGuideAction.get/id/46982
Order Odonata – Dragonflies and Damselflies
Suborder Anisoptera – Dragonflies
Family Libellulidae – Skimmers
Learn more: https://bugguide.net/node/view/577
Shown on Florida Native Plant: Bidens alba
My take: https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/a-dozen-dragonflies/
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CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Red-marked Pachodynerus Mason Wasp (Pachodynerus erynnis) with prey
a.k.a. Red and Black Mason Wasp
Use caterpillars as larval hosts including many pest species. If you look closely, this one dug some tiny bounty out of the bud.
Learn: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-39_red_and_black_mason_wasp.htm
Superfamily Vespoidea – Yellowjackets and Hornets, Paper Wasps; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps and allies
Family Vespidae – Yellowjackets and Hornets, Paper Wasps; Potter, Mason and Pollen Wasps
Subfamily Eumeninae – Potter and Mason Wasps
Shown on Florida Native Plant: CUBAN JUTE; INDIAN HEMP (Sida rhombifolia)
My take: Spring Nesting Season Isnt Just for Birds
https://floridawildlifegardentails.wordpress.com/2017/02/07/spring-nesting-season-isnt-just-for-birds/
Red-marked Pachodynerus Mason Wasp (Pachodynerus erynnis) digging for prey
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CENTRAL FLORIDA CRITTER OF THE DAY: Eastern Amberwing Dragonfly (Perithemis tenera)
Male shown. Quite small. Dragonflies are beneficial as they are predatory on pest insects in both the adult and larval stages. Larval state is aquatic and helps control mosquito larva.
Learn: http://www.odonatacentral.org/index.php/FieldGuideAction.get/id/47478
Learn Key to Florida Dragonflies: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/in632
Shown on Florida Native Plant: Spanish Needles (Bidens alba)
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