I’m back to my backyard, and am doing a synopsis of what’s been happening this season. I’ve had a nest of guinea paper wasps on the fence, but out of a desire to not disturb them(!) I haven’t checked on them. I’ve also had a few crab spiders on my flowers, but iNaturalist reviewers seem to be putting them in Mecaphesa (indeed it seems identification is based on fine characteristics). I had a spined stilt bug along the foundation of my house, but only saw it once. I also had a flower scarab again, but the flower chafers so far haven’t gotten a lot of attention on iNaturalist. I’ve had several longhorn and cuckoo bees, but again am not versed enough to identify them myself. I also think I had Tachytes guatemalensis but would be nice to get a confirmation. Some night finds have been non-natives (Asiatic garden beetle and striped greenhouse slug) as well as a tie-for-favorite annually, firefly spp.
My favorite sighting in my pollinator garden by far has been a lifer butterfly, common sootywing! My second favorite is the pair of hibiscus turret bees that have taken up residence since my native-type marsh mallow finally bloomed this year. Today saw an influx of migratory saddlebags and other dragonflies. I’m still hoping to luck out enough to get a perched photo!