Mokka mit Schlag

Leaffooted Bug, Leptoglossus fulvicornis, formerly Leptoglossus magnoliae
Brooklyn Botanic garden, 2007-09-01

Last night I was walking through Battery Park on my way to a meeting when I noticed an unbelievably large bird strutting around the grass, apparently unconcerned with all the people, most of whom were equally unconcerned with it. It was, to all appearances, a Wild Turkey. This is the first one I’ve ever seen in Manhattan and only the second I’ve seen in New York City. (The first was in a remote corner of the Bronx Botanical Gardens in the late-eighties/early nineties.)

I called it in to the rare bird alert, but apparently turkeys aren’t rare enough to qualify, even if they’re locally rare in downtown Manhattan. Lloyd Spitalnik did tell me one had been seen at this location last year too, so it may be the same bird returning.
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Wool Carder Bee, Anthidium manicatum
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2007-08-25
Thanks to John S. Ascher for the ID.
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Caterpillar of the Fall Webworm Moth, Hyphantria cunea
Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge 2007-08-26

Like many moths, this one is easier to find as a caterpillar than an adult. This picture is quite a bit larger than life-size. They’re only about an inch long.

Thanks to Bobby Grizzard for the ID.
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Small Milkweed Bug – Lygaeus turcicus
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2007-08-25
Thanks to John and Jane Balaban for the ID.
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Large Milkweed Bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus
Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 2007-08-25
Thanks to John and Jane Balaban for the ID.