Top Photo: Female eastern Hercules beetle.

The beetle in the banner photo above was brought in to the museum insectarium by Facilities Tech Daniel. He found the beetle at a gas station early one morning while on the way to work. It was later released in the Butterfly House Garden.

Gas stations are good places to search for some types of beetles, moths, and other insects who are attracted to the 24 hours of artificial light provided by the businesses. Get there before the sun gets too far up above the horizon (preferably at dawn) and there’s no telling what you might find walking on the ground, climbing a light post, or even clinging to one of the gas pumps.

Right on schedule, orange stripped oakworms are devouring the leaves of a scarlet oak tree at the entrance to Into the Mist in Catch the Wind. The tiny (1st instar) greenish caterpillars with black heads are only about 3/8” at present but may grow to more than 2” before they’re done eating.

In about 4 to 6 weeks hundreds of the, now large, black with yellow/orange striped caterpillars will be seen crossing the path searching for safe places to pupate for the season.

They will emerge as adults the following spring to start the cycle anew.

The first of the season sycamore tussock moth was spotted on the far side of the outdoor loop between Explore the Wild and Catch the Wind. Look for them near American sycamore trees.

Keep your eyes peeled.