Just a couple more photos that wouldn't fit in the post:

And one more decorative spider for you:

Definitely NOT the post to look at whilst in bed. I'm feeling all manner of creepy crawlies under the covers with me now!

Tyler

Thanks - that specific one threw me for a loop! I initially took note of its intimidating profile as I'd never encountered the species before, but it held quite still, so I took photos, continued tending to plants, and eventually forgot it was there entirely and crept too close in reaching for another plant and **RACKET**. Its takeoff induced aural flashbacks to the very unfortunate time I got stuck in an aluminum siding outhouse with a displeased cicada. I screamed in response, which just added to the general cacophony.

In conclusion, I do not recommend startling a Red-Footed Cannibal Fly, nor being trapped in an aluminum siding outhouse with a cicada.

Great photos!! Bit off-topic, but is anyone here using the iNaturalist app?

Considering your title, the spiders should not be included. They are arachnids, not insects. ;-D

The Red Footed Cannibal Fly belongs to the Family Asilidae -- commonly known as "robber flies". They are predatory creatures.

Yeah, you're right - well, I welcome photos of our arachnid friends too!

Yes, in order to identify all of the insects (and arachnids), I googled them based on descriptions until I found a matching image with a name, and then read all about them. It's always interesting to learn more about surrounding ecosystems through these encounters!

Though admittedly sometimes it's terrifying, too - in looking up some insects I met in the Peruvian Amazon, I learned they are the Chagas disease vector... and also that I met the most poisonous caterpillar on Earth without being aware of the danger at the time.

Since arachnids are allowed, here's this beast that's set up shop in our front yard. He's a good 3 inches from tip to tip and terrifying as hell. His web is enormous.

Very nice pix. Both of you. Thanks.

tj

I found out that my spider is an Orb Weaver. It is most likely nearing the end of its life as they normally live for a year and die when the cold sets in.

In other insect news, although I'm pretty sure this is semi or all OT I don't have anywhere else to post it...wait, is a dragonfly an insect? Either way, here goes.

I actually saw a ruckus of sorts on my Orbea & thought maybe 2 lizards were fighting or mating...turns out this lizard had caught a dragonfly that was really big for him & he had to fight like mad to get it under control.

I thought he wasn't going to be able to get it down but he finally did. Then he went into a food coma for a few hours.

Aw, an anole! I miss those; I used to live within their habitat range, but I moved too far north a few years ago. Though I have a soft spot for dragonflies, too... And yes, a dragonfly is an insect!

I spotted a new buddy keeping a Haworthia hybrid company. Look at that big green eye!

I find that one to be quite cute!

Also, elucas101, your spider friend above is very specifically an Argiope aurantia or yellow garden spider. I've not yet seen one of those in my space; my orb weavers tend to be the Neoscona crucifera or spotted orbweaver.

I never got a picture of it, but I had a Hummingbird Clearwing Moth visit my flowers this summer. It's really an odd insect.

"Spider Zone 6A USA

Though admittedly sometimes it's terrifying, too - in looking up some insects I met in the Peruvian Amazon, I learned they are the Chagas disease vector... and also that I met the most poisonous caterpillar on Earth without being aware of the danger at the time."

Was probably better that way. Might have detracted from your enjoyment of the moment. :-)

Elucas, your orb weaver is a female. This species exhibit major sexual dimorphism. The adult males are under 1cm in size.

Thank you both for that info on the orb weaver! Very interesting. She is impressive to look at for sure.

I didn't have any interesting insects near my succulents this year or any frogs for that matter. This was a really weird year. I miss the Orb spiders that used to be around my house.

Maybe the bats ate them.

Tyler

I don't have any pictures, but I've seen what I think is a stinkbug on the deck, a praying mantis, and then one of our cats likes to bring in lizards like anoles and house geckos.

Caught him walking around and released him in yard. He was almost 3 inches long.

Milkweed caterpillars;

But worst of all, found a snake in my house by my computer on window seal not more than a foot away from me at the time. Caught him and put outside as well.

That scared the crap out of me. But I will not kill a friend. So far he never came back. Have some other strange bugs but can't find pictures right now.

Snakes are great friends! And beautiful caterpillars.

Here is one from inside my office:

That looks like one I picked up and it had a hell of a hit. Really hurts.

The milkweed caterpillars are so cute!

In the fall and winter, my office and overall workspace becomes a haven for boxelder bugs. I don't mind until they start dropping inside the necks of my shirts... at which point I mind quite a bit! And as I start to think about bringing all of my outdoor plants (none of which are cold hardy) back in for the winter, I get to look forward to removing at least twenty stinkbugs from the plants.

Here's a stick insect I spotted while tending to my front porch plants two days ago.

Spicer, Last time I saw a stick was when they invaded central PA way back in the 80's. Funny I never saw one again.

Found my picture of Big Eyed bug.

Actually a regular beetle with markings on it's back like big eyes.

Common Dragon fly on Euphorbia milii.

Found this one crawling on my H. cymbiformis today

Saw a couple of these moths pretending to be fallen leaves; this one was keeping a Pilosocereus company:

Guys, I have a new roommate! Her name is Audrey. She is adorable.

Audrey is a Phidippus audax jumping spider. I noticed her doing her rounds yesterday, hunting for any and all insect trespassers. I approve of her hard work.

She hunted over around ten different plants, but most were in hard-to-photograph spots. So all the good photos I have of her are while she was on patrol on my Matucana madisoniorum. And Audrey is not a fan of the camera. Here you can see her signalling that she has had enough of it already.

I had one appear in my fish tank filled with plants. It was a light brown jumping spider. Next day I couldn't find her. Did see signs of webbing. I don't think jumping spiders made web but I know all spiders have the ability to do so. It is so dry and don't know what she could live on.

Love your story title.