So they are not butterflies

8 years ago

Very slow going trying to find out just what kinds of bees, wasps and flies are in my yard. Thought I will share some pictures while I am working on it.

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PRO

User

8 years ago

You can look for your syrphiid fly (1st photo set, 3rd image) here:

https://bugguide.net/node/view/9169/bgimage

^27 pages covering 8 species, make sure any one species is in your region via the Info tab for that species.

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If the insect has very short antennae, it is probably a fly (this includes the bee flies). Bees and wasps have very noticeable antennae. Anything with 4 wings (2 pair) is a bee(these often overlap and look like one pair). Flies have one pair of wings.

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Comments (12)

Rhonda
8 years ago
Iris, those are some stunning photos!!!!!!!!! I love these close-ups, what a great project. Keep them coming.

Rhonda
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b) thanked Rhonda
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you, Rhonda. I have a couple of books, but I am really awful at identifying. At this point, I could probably take a picture of a rusty patched bumble bee without realizing. I know that’s highly unlikely, but still.
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Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
The button Bush Edition. These shrubs have really taking off this year.
gardenfullofswallowtails
8 years ago
My bush is definitely leaping. I hope by adding fertilizer this year I'll get a few blooms. The leaves got a lot bigger and it looks healthier.
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b) thanked gardenfullofswallowtails
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Mine just had a few flowers last year (planted all 4 of them at the same time). This year they are covered.
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you for the helpful tips!
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Today’s pictures are brought to you by the letter “B” for blue. It’s amazing how many different critters are out there.

pretty sure this is a cuckoo wasp (don’t hold me to it yet)
PRO
User
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Cuckoo Wasp, Blue Dasher dragonfly, last insect of this photo set is a sharpshooter, genus Oncometopia. It is not the Florida Sharpshooter.
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b) thanked User
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
Thank you, The Logician! Please don’t feel that you have to ID all of them. I am afraid I am going to run out of your willingness to help for when I am getting really stuck. Then what do I do?!
PRO
User
8 years ago
Those 3 were very easy. In the future, I will ID just those you request ID help with, that way you will get more experience with the ID process. Your pictures are a fraction of online insect images I identify on various forums.

Another option is to post the pictures along with your identification, and I or others will comment if they are incorrect.
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b) thanked User
Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
Original Author
8 years ago
I really do appreciate all the help I can get. Just don’t want to be annoying. Like the little kid constantly asking questions. I figured two out last night. I hope correctly.
my picture was really dark, so I hope my making it brighter didn’t mess it up. Tiger Bee Fly.

I already did know the wheel bug.

I did have a hard time with the last one. All my searches for a bug with spikes turned up the wheel bug. I think I finally got it though.
Helmeted Squash bug nymph.

I am really fascinated by how many different critters are out in one garden.