Today at Sutter’s Landing Park, our very own Entomologist, Nita Davidson, gave us a “Bugs Eye View” into the world of insects that live, fly and breed at our own Regional Park and along the American River.
We learned about true bugs Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and bed bugs are true bugs (Suborder Heteroptera) and have mouth parts that are modified for piercing and sucking.
The highlight as always is passing out nets to the children so they could catch and release whatever insects they could find. On one small sandbar willow bush right near the river, one of the children found hundreds of beautiful blue willow leaf beetles (Plagiodera sp., Family Chrysomelidae) It was a source of fascination for all in attendance as most of us had never seen these beetles before. We also learned that caterpillars of Western tiger swallowtail butterflies life cycle actually begins in the cottonwood and sycamore trees at Sutter's Landing Park and thrive on sycamore and ash trees throughout the older parts of Sacramento.
Nita, thank you for taking the time to share your vast knowledge of the insect world. I am sure you have inspired a few kids to become fascinated with the insects that inhabit our amazing Park!
We learned about true bugs Stink bugs, boxelder bugs, and bed bugs are true bugs (Suborder Heteroptera) and have mouth parts that are modified for piercing and sucking.
The highlight as always is passing out nets to the children so they could catch and release whatever insects they could find. On one small sandbar willow bush right near the river, one of the children found hundreds of beautiful blue willow leaf beetles (Plagiodera sp., Family Chrysomelidae) It was a source of fascination for all in attendance as most of us had never seen these beetles before. We also learned that caterpillars of Western tiger swallowtail butterflies life cycle actually begins in the cottonwood and sycamore trees at Sutter's Landing Park and thrive on sycamore and ash trees throughout the older parts of Sacramento.
Nita, thank you for taking the time to share your vast knowledge of the insect world. I am sure you have inspired a few kids to become fascinated with the insects that inhabit our amazing Park!
A father and his sons were intrigued to find that some lady beetles are black or gray
They also netted a large group of blue willow leaf beetles from sandbar willow
Close-up of blue willow leaf beetles
Here are a few of the other insects that were seen at the Park today. Thanks to Kathy for this summary and Nita for leading this great FORB outing and sharing her insect knowledge with all who attended!
cabbage butterfly (on yellow star thistle--ouch!)
Grasshopper
Dragonfly
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