August 28th, 2009 What in the Woods is That?

What in the Woods Is That?

Play our biweekly guessing game!

Whatever draws us into the forest—be it birdwatching or logging, hiking or hunting—all of us are unified by the sense of wonder we feel in the outdoors. The forests, fields, and streams of our region are full of mystery, and if you stop and look closely, you’ll see all sorts of oddities.

Below find a picture of one such woodlands curio. Guess what it is and you’ll be eligible to win a Northern Woodlands woodpecker magnet designed by artist Liz Wahid. A prize winner will be drawn at random from all the correct entries. The correct answer, and the winner’s name, will appear when the next column is posted and in our newsletter (sign up here!).

Curious-looking Insect

This curious-looking insect rests on a black-eyed Susan. What kind of bug is it? Common name is fine.

Answer

An ambush bug.

You thought wasps were tough guys? Well, ambush bugs literally eat them for lunch.

When a wasp, or bee, or a butterfly lands on a flower to nectar, an ambush bug may be lying in wait. It latches on to its prey, finds a soft spot, then pierces the victim’s body with its hollow beak. Caustic digestive enzymes saturate and dissolve the victim’s innards. By the time an ambush bug is done feeding, all that’s left of its prey is a dried husk.

In August, look for ambush bugs on goldenrod, flowering boneset, or milkweed. Mummified bug carcasses under a flower are a dead give-away.

Thanks to Photographer Ken Thomas for sharing this wonderful photo.

This week’s contest winner was Tom Ryzewski of Thompson CT

Visit the What in the Woods is That? archive.