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Posts Tagged: Western redbud
Redhumped Caterpillar: Aptly Named
How appropriate are many of the common names of insects! Take the immature form (caterpillar) of the moth, Schizura concinna, family Notodontidae. We first spotted this caterpillar on our Western redbud tree (Cercis occidentalis) in September 2010. It has a red hump. The common name: The...
Redhumped caterpillars on a Western redbud tree in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Skeltonized redbud leaf--damage done by a redhumped caterpillar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
This graphic from Wikipedia shows the immature and adult stages of (Schizura concinna). Click to enlarge. See https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Snodgrass_Schizura_concinna.jpg (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
A honey bee nectaring on a Western redbud blooming in April. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Redhumped caterpillars on a Western redbud tree in Vacaville, Calif. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Skeltonized redbud leaf--damage done by a redhumped caterpillar. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A honey bee nectaring on a Western redbud blooming in April. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Bees and Trees
We have a section of an old apple tree at the Haven that is being used by Valley carpenter bees, Xylocopa varipuncta, as a nest. I've included a picture here; the number and size of the galleries the bees have excavated is quite impressive. While entomologists generally don't regard carpenter bees...
Vally carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, nests in apple. Each gallery is about one-half inch across.
Bronze birch borer, Agrilus anxius, exit hole in white birch. Notice the 'D' shape of the hole, which is about one-quarter inch wide, that is created by the insect's flat head.
Leafcutter bee activity on western redbud, Cercis occidentalis. The female cuts a 'C'shaped leaf piece to cover each egg and its provisions.
Desert willow, Chilopsis linearis, flower
Desert willow, Chilopsis linearis, in full bloom
Western redbud, Cercis occidentalis, seed pods. Click on the image to enlarge and you'll see small holes in the pods, indicating feeding by a seed weevil.
Western redbud, Cercis occidentalis, flowers
