There’s a funny story behind this mayfly… but first, take a look at its eyes. There’s one looking right at you, but what’s that half-helmet on the top of its head? Another set of eyes, of course. Some male mayflies have this extra set of so-called “turban” eyes to detect movement above them, so they can sense the females in the crowd.
Which brings me to the funny story. There was a swarm of mayflies just above my head the other day, and I caught this specimen in my hat. I surprised it from below, where it does not have a third set of eyes. But after I snagged it and twisted the pink hat around to get a picture, I realized I had two more mayflies on my sleeve! There I was jumping up and down waving my hat, and I could have just stood there.
This little gold beetle (for size comparison, that’s a dandelion) is in the jewel beetle family of wood borers. Which is not to say they’re boring. Nor are they pests. Most wood borer larvae help cull dead and dying trees, and process the material to rejuvenate forests. The adults are benign.
Here’s an insect that was new to me until last week. It’s a San Francisco lacewing. They live up and down the U.S. West Coast, not just in the San Fran area. This one stood very still as I photographed it. It’s the subject of my latest column at the Mt. Pisgah website.
It’s been much colder than average, and rainy, lately, so I’ve not been out with my camera in about 10 days. I hope to find a break in the weather and share more soon!
Ticklehead 