I’ve read about hundreds of insects over the last few years, and it’s surprised me how many species there are that don’t cross the continental divide. In the spirit of the recent holiday, I’m thankful for several types of insects that live on the west coast but not the east: snakeflies and Pterotus beetles come to mind.
Conversely, when I visit the eastern side of the U.S. I’m easily entertained. Species that are commonplace there are new to me and it’s always a thrill to see something for the first time. The Common Buckeye butterfly above isn’t likely to enthrall people who live in the southeast, but I was overjoyed to see one last week in Virginia. According to records on BugGuide, they live as adults in every month in the southern states, and in most every month in places like Virginia. But there’s nothing like them in Oregon and it was a highlight of my day to get a picture of this one.
Because it’s November, I didn’t see many other insects on this trip. I spied this geometer moth larva, though, outside our Airbnb. These caterpillars all move along, measuring like the inchworms in the Muppets song (its head is on the left). Although geometers live in every state, the ones that iNaturalist suggested for this photo all live exclusively on the East Coast.
Enjoy the last five weeks of the year!
Ticklehead 