It’s howling Halloween time again. Last year team member Gail Eichelberger of Clay and Limestone started the costume party with her fine article which discussed camouflage techniques including disruptive coloration, matching color and protective mimicry. Having been inspired by her findings, I shuffled through my photos of the insect and reptile populations who showed up dressed to impress in my yard and compiled a similar article. Kathy Green of Gardening for Nature fame also discussed what treats are provided for in our wildlife gardens.
I’m pleased to report that we have new costumed critters this year! They used their cunning and often colorful deceit in trying to trick me, but I spotted them among my native plants, nonetheless.
This Barking Treefrog (Hyla gratiosa) tried hard to hide dressed as the leaf of Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) or maybe it was the Gulf Fritillary caterpillars he was out to trick.
Southern Green Stink Bug (Nezara viridula), a pest, fond of young shoots and fruits, blends in…perfectly disguised as Carolina Redroot (Lachnanthes caroliana). Plenty of redroot for him to eat…and it keeps it off my citrus.
Eastern Pondhawk Dragonfly clever enough to land on green to blend in.
Red-headed Meadow Katydid (Orchelimum erythrocephalum) dresses like Shyleaf (Aeschynomene americana)
Gulf Fritillary Butterflies use dried Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) flowers as their love nest.
Grasshoppers match patterns and color with native sedge.
And this year’s favorite of mine: Rabid Wolf Spider (Rabidosa rabida) expertly disguised as the seed head of Bidens alba.
May you get more treats than tricks and a bag full of native plants. Happy Halloween!
© 2011, Loret T. Setters. All rights reserved. This article is the property of BeautifulWildlifeGarden.com If you are reading this at another site, please report that to us
About Loret T. Setters
Loret, Thank you for your kind words about my Halloween post. You have wonderful critter captures! Boy aren’t our garden residents clever. Love the wolf spider~I would surely miss it were I a small bee looking for a place to land! Happiest of Halloweens to you! gail Wildflower Wednesday: Porteranthus stipulatus
That spider’s disguise is fabulous! Takes a minute to figure out where the seed head ends and he begins!
UrsulaV recently posted..Migrant Season
Clever post for Halloween and great photos of your costumed critters! The spider’s disguise is fabulous. Off to re-read Gail’s Halloween post from last year, now that you mention it. Boo to you!
Kathy @nativegardener recently posted..In the News: Huntington Library to Archive & Exhibit Al Martinez’ Work
Great photo series of camouflaged wildlife!–Very appropriate Halloween post!!
Very creative photography! HM
Amazing! A great share.
Love the critters and that wolf spider was the best and the scariest too!!
Donna@Gardens Eye View recently posted..Memories of Fall Natives
Wonderful post Loret..your best! Great idea, great pictures..Samhan salutations to you!
I loved it all especially the tree frog. PaT
Thanks everyone for your kind words. Nature never ceases to amaze me with the wonderful things in my wildlife garden! I’m lucky INDEED!
Loret T. Setters recently posted..Pond Prank