A team of fourteen contributed to this week's survey under hot, humid, overcast conditions. The Eastern Amberwing is our tiniest dragonfly, and a convincing wasp mimic. When combined with wasp-like flight movements and a slightly bulging abdomen, the markings on females, such as shown below, are especially effective protection against potential predators. Select Photos and Complete List of Sightings: Tortistilus inermis (treehopper) photo by Michael Knox Cryptocephalus texanus (leaf beetle) photo by Val Bugh Hemiargus isola (Reakirt's blues mating) photo by Beth Kirkhart Vanessa atalanta (red admiral) photo by Katherine Daniels Pachydiplax longipennis (blue dasher) photo by Joe Fernandes Perithemis tenera (eastern amberwing) photo by Beth Kirkhart Polistes rubiginosus (red wasp with prey) photo by Joe Fernandes Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus (northern fence lizard) photo by Beth Kirkhart Aspidoscelis gularis gularis (Texas spotted whiptail) photo by Sam Fruehling Arilus cristatus (wheel bug nymph) photo by Pat Dittmar Pseudatomoscelis seriatus (cotton flea hopper) photo by Linda Crabtree Euschistus sp. (stink bug hatchlings) photo by Val Bugh Vitisiella brevicauda (midge galls on mustang grape) photo by Pat Dittmar Hesperotettix speciosus (showy grasshopper nymph) photo by Sam Fruehling Phidippus carolinensis (Carolina jumper) photo by Michael Knox Estigmene acrea (salt marsh moth larva killed by fungus) inset: fungal spores dusting caterpillar setae photo by Val Bugh Spiza americana (dickcissel) photo by George Ward Passerina ciris (painted bunting: male & female) photo by Annelia Williams & Beth Kirkhart Bubo virginianus (great horned owl after bathing) photo by Bill Boyd Coccyzus americanus (yellow-billed cuckoo) photo by Annelia Williams Birds: American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) American Robin (Turdus migratorius) Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) Bewick's Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) Black-crested Titmouse (Baeolophus atricristatus) Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) Common Raven (Corvus corax) Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) Dickcissel (Spiza americana) Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) Great Egret (Ardea alba) Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) Hutton's Vireo (Vireo huttoni) Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) Mourning Warbler (Oporornis philadelphia) Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) Orange-crowned Warbler (Oreothlypis celata) Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) Purple Martin (Progne subis) Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Yellow Warbler (Dendroica petechia) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) Mammals: White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) Coyote (Canis latrans), fresh scat Common Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) Nine-banded Armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), fresh digging Reptiles & Amphibians: Texas Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus olivaceus) Northern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus undulatus hyacinthinus) Texas Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis gularis) Redstripe Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus rubrilineatus) Texas Patchnose Snake (Salvadora grahamiae lineata) Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Lithobates berlandieri) Misc.: Harvestman (Leiobunum sp.) Chigger (Unknown sp.) Striped Bark Scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) Dwarf Gray Striped Isopod (Nagurus cristatus) Insects & Spiders: order family genus/species common name lepidoptera   nymphalidae   Euptoieta claudia   Variegated Fritillary       Danaus plexippus   Monarch       Danaus gilippus   Queen       Vanessa atalanta   Red Admiral       Vanessa cardui   Painted Lady       Junonia coenia   Common Buckeye       Polygonia interrogationis   Question Mark       Anaea andria   Goatweed Leafwing       Chlosyne lacinia   Bordered Patch       Phyciodes tharos   Pearl Crescent       Phyciodes phaon   Phaon Crescent    pieridae   Nathalis iole   Dainty Sulphur       Colias eurytheme   Orange Sulphur       Eurema nicippe   Sleepy Orange (adult & larva)       Pontia protodice   Checkered White    lycaenidae   Hemiargus isola   Reakirt's Blue       Callophrys gryneus   Juniper Hairstreak       Strymon melinus   Gray Hairstreak       Atlides halesus   Great Purple Hairstreak    papilionidae   Battus philenor   Pipevine Swallowtail (adult, pupa, & larva)       Papilio polyxenes   Black Swallowtail (adult & larva)       Papilio cresphontes   Giant Swallowtail    hesperiidae   Hylephila phyleus   Fiery Skipper       Burnsius communis/albescens   Common/White Checkered-skipper       Erynnis horatius   Horace's Duskywing       Erynnis funeralis   Funereal Duskywing    noctuidae   Acronicta vinnula   Delightful Dagger       Acronicta afflicta   Afflicted Dagger       Acronicta rubricoma   Ruddy Dagger       Acronicta lobeliae   Greater Oak Dagger       Acronicta morula   Ochre Dagger       Galgula partita   The Wedgling       Alypia octomaculata   Eight-spotted Forester (larva)       Sympistis kappa   Moth       Hemieuxoa rudens   Moth       Tripudia quadrifera   Moth       Emarginea percara   Beloved Emarginea       Charadra dispulsa   Moth       Spodoptera ornithogalli   Yellow-striped Armyworm (larva)       Acontia cretata   Chalky Bird Dropping Moth       Cobubatha lixiva   Moth       Tarache aprica   Exposed Bird Dropping Moth       Chloridea virescens   Tobacco Budworm (larva)       Cosmia calami   American Dun-bar Moth    erebidae   Lesmone detrahens   Detracted Owlet       Matigramma sp.   Moth       Phytometra orgiae   Moth       Melipotis indomita   Moth       Catocala micronympha   Little Nymph Underwing    arctiidae   Estigmene acrea   Salt Marsh Moth (adult, pupa & larva)       Hyphantria cunea   Fall Webworm Moth       Hypoprepia fucosa   Painted Lichen Moth    notodontidae   Heterocampa astartoides   Prominent    sphingidae   Hyles lineata   White-lined Sphinx (larva)    saturniidae   Hyalophora cecropia   Cecropia Moth (larva)    geometridae   Digrammia pallidata   Moth       Rindgea nigricomma   Moth       Rindgea cyda   Mesquite Looper Moth       Glena quinquelinearia   Fine-lined Glena       Prochoerodes lineola   Large Maple Spanworm Moth       Pimaphera sparsaria   Moth       Eulithis diversilineata   Lesser Grapevine Looper Moth       Chlorochlamys chloroleucaria   Blackberry Looper Moth       Eupithecia miserulata   Common Eupithecia (larva)    crambidae   Diastictis fracturalis   Fractured Western Snout Moth       Diastictis argyalis   White-spotted Orange       Nomophila nearctica   Lucerne Moth       Palpita quadristigmalis   Four-spotted Palpita       Uresiphita reversalis   Genista Caterpillar (adult & larva)       Achyra rantalis   Garden Webworm Moth       Pyrausta laticlavia   Southern Purple Mint Moth       Pyrausta tyralis   Coffee-loving Pyrausta Moth       Pyrausta pseuderosnealis   Pyrausta Moth       Lineodes interrupta   Moth       Lipocosma polingi   Moth       Microtheoris ophionalis   Yellow-veined Moth       Microcrambus croesus   Grass-veneer Moth       Euchromius ocelleus   Grass-veneer Moth    pyralidae   Homoeosoma electella   Sunflower Moth       Adelphia petrella   Moth       Ephestiodes mignonella   Moth       Arta olivalis   Olive Arta Moth    tortricidae   Eumarozia malachitana   Sculptured Moth       Choristoneura houstonana   Juniper Budworm Moth       Endothenia hebesana   Verbena Bud Moth       Ancylis comptana   Strawberry Leafroller Moth       Unknown sp.   Moth    gelechiidae   Isophrictis similiella   Moth       Neodactylota liguritrix   Moth       Battaristis concinnusella   Moth       Anacampsis fullonella   Moth       Chionodes trichostola   Moth       Gnorimoschema saphirinella   Moth       Polyhymno luteostrigella   Moth    gracillariidae   Povolnya quercinigrella   Moth       Parornix sp.   Moth    oecophoridae   Inga cretacea   Chalky Inga    lacturidae   Enaemia subfervens   Moth    plutellidae   Plutella xylostella   Diamondback Moth    coleophoridae   Coleophora sp.   Moth    cosmopterigidae   Periploca sp.   Moth    depressariidae   Ethmia semilugens   Ethmia Moth    prodoxidae   Prodoxus sp.   Bogus Yucca Moth    glyphipterigidae   Glyphipterix circumscriptella   Sedge Moth    zygaenidae   Harrisina coracina   Grapeleaf Skeletonizer (larva)    autostichidae   Glyphidocera lactiflosella   Five-spotted Glyphidocera    pterophoridae   Pselnophorus belfragei   Plume Moth    ypsolophidae   Ypsolopha ochrella   Agarita Slug Moth    scythrididae   Scythris trivinctella   Moth    bucculatricidae   Bucculatrix sp.   Ribbed Cocoon-maker Moth    heliodinidae   Aetole bella   Moth    nepticulidae   Stigmella sp.   Pygmy Moth    acrolophidae   Acrolophus mortipennella   Tubeworm Moth       Acrolophus griseus   Tubeworm Moth       Acrolophus heppneri   Tubeworm Moth coleoptera   chrysomelidae   Diabrotica undecimpunctata   Spotted Cucumber Beetle       Brachypnoea sp.   Leaf Beetle       Typophorus nigritus   Leaf Beetle       Pachybrachis turbidus   Leaf Beetle       Cryptocephalus texanus   Leaf Beetle       Gratiana pallidula   Eggplant Tortoise Beetle (adult & larva)       Chaetocnema quadricollis   Flea Beetle    coccinellidae   Coccinella septempunctata   Seven-spotted Lady Beetle       Hippodamia convergens   Convergent Lady Beetle       Cycloneda sanguinea   Red Lady Beetle       Olla v-nigrum   Ashy Gray Lady Beetle    buprestidae   Acmaeodera ornatoides   Metallic Woodborer    cerambycidae   Batyle ignicollis   Longhorn Beetle       Moneilema armatum   Cactus Longhorn    mordellidae   Mordellistena cervicalis   Tumbling Flower Beetle    cleridae   Cymatodera balteata   Checkered Beetle    laemophloeidae   Laemophloeus biguttatus   Lined Flat Bark Beetle    carabidae   Notiobia maculicornis   Ground Beetle       Notiobia sp.   Ground Beetle       Scarites sp.   Ground Beetle       Bembidion impotens   Ground Beetle       Stenolophus dissimilis   Seedcorn Beetle       Discoderus sp.   Ground Beetle       Clivina americana   Ground Beetle       Lebia viridis   Ground Beetle    dytiscidae   Coptotomus venustus   Predaceous Diving Beetle       Heterosternuta diversicornis   Predaceous Diving Beetle       Laccophilus quadrilineatus   Predaceous Diving Beetle       Thermonectus basillaris   Predaceous Diving Beetle       Cybister fimbriolatus   Giant Water Beetle    hydrophilidae   Berosus sp.   Water Scavenger Beetle    gyrinidae   Dineutus sp.   Whirligig Beetle    heteroceridae   Heterocerus sp.   Variegated Mud-loving Beetle    bostrichidae   Xylobiops basilaris   Powder-post Beetle    oedemeridae   Oxacis cana   False Blister Beetle    meloidae   Nemognatha sp.   Blister Beetle       Zonitis sp.   Blister Beetle    lycidae   Plateros coccinicollis   Net-winged Beetle    anthicidae   Vacusus vicinus   Antlike Flower Beetle    tenebrionidae   Platydema micans   Darkling Beetle       Eleodes goryi   Desert Stink Beetle       Blapstinus sp.   Darkling Beetle    staphylinidae   Philonthus rufulus   Rove Beetle       Philonthus sp.   Rove Beetle       Ephelinus sp.   Rove Beetle       Paederus sp.   Rove Beetle       Lobrathium sp.   Rove Beetle       Aleochara sp.   Rove Beetle    elateridae   Melanotus sp.   Click Beetle    erotylidae   Languria mozardi   Lizard Beetle    hybosoridae   Hybosorus illigeri   Scavenger Scarab    scarabaeidae   Euphoria kernii   Flower Scarab       Trichiotinus texanus   Texas Flower Scarab       Diplotaxis sp.   Scarab       Ataenius platensis   Aphodiine Dung Beetle       Labarrus pseudolividus   Aphodiine Dung Beetle    anthribidae   Trigonorhinus limbatus   Fungus Weevil    curculionidae   Epicaerus sp.   Broad-nosed Weevil       Rhinocyllus conicus   Weevil hemiptera   coreidae   Acanthocephala terminalis   Coreid Bug (adult & nymph)       Leptoglossus phyllopus   Eastern Leaf-footed Bug (adult & nymph)       Leptoglossus clypealis   Leaf-footed Bug    rhopalidae   Harmostes reflexulus   Scentless Plant Bug    lygaeidae   Nysius sp.   False Chinch Bug       Lygaeus kalmii   Small Milkweed Bug    rhyparochromidae   Cnemodus mavortius   Seed Bug       Myodocha serripes   Long-necked Seed Bug       Perigenes similis   Seed Bug    miridae   Polymerus basalis   Plant Bug       Lopidea confluenta   Plant Bug       Deraeocoris davisi   Plant Bug       Calocoris barberi   Plant Bug (adult & nymph)       Taylorilygus apicalis   Plant Bug       Ceratocapsus apicalis   Plant Bug       Dichaetocoris sp.   Plant Bug       Neurocolpus sp.   Plant Bug       Oncerometopus nigriclavus   Plant Bug       Halticotoma nicholi   Nolina Plant Bug       Pseudatomoscelis seriatus   Cotton Flea Hopper       Phytocoris sp.   Plant Bug       Rhinacloa forticornis   Western Plant Bug    mesoveliidae   Mesovelia mulsanti   Water Treader    notonectidae   Buenoa sp.   Backswimmer    corixidae   Trichocorixa sp.   Water Boatman    reduviidae   Apiomerus spissipes   Bee Assassin       Pnirontis infirma   Assassin Bug       Arilus cristatus   Wheel Bug (nymph)    nabidae   Hoplistoscelis sp.   Damsel Bug    cydnidae   Pangaeus sp.   Burrowing Bug       Amnestus sp.   Burrowing Bug    pentatomidae   Banasa euchlora   Stink Bug       Thyanta custator   Stink Bug       Euschistus quadrator   Stink Bug       Euschistus servus   Brown Stink Bug       Euschistus sp.   Stink Bug (nymph)       Mecidea major   Grass Stink Bug homoptera   cicadellidae   Norvellina seminuda   Leafhopper       Cuerna costalis   Leafhopper (adult & nymph)       Empoasca fabae   Potato Leafhopper       Eutettix sp.   Leafhopper       Cetexa sp.   Leafhopper       Draeculacephala sp.   Leafhopper       Cantura jucunda   Leafhopper       Macrosteles sp.   Leafhopper       Agalliopsis cervina   Leafhopper       Texananus sp.   Leafhopper       Zyginama tripunctata   Leafhopper       Scaphoideus sp.   Leafhopper       Exitianus exitiosus   Gray Lawn Leafhopper       Graphocephala versuta   Leafhopper       Graphocephala hieroglyphica   Leafhopper       Sobara palliolata   Leafhopper       Excultanus excultus   Leafhopper       Menosoma cincta   Leafhopper    cixiidae   Melanoliarus sp.   Planthopper    membracidae   Tortistilus inermis   Treehopper       Tortistilus abnorma   Treehopper       Tortistilus sp.   Treehopper    cercopidae   Prosapia bicincta   Two-lined Spittlebug    delphacidae   Liburniella ornata   Planthopper       Metadelphax propinqua   Planthopper    achilidae   Catonia texana   Planthopper hymenoptera   apidae   Apis mellifera   Honey Bee       Melissodes sp.   Digger Bee       Anthophora sp.   Digger Bee       Centris atripes   Digger Bee       Exomalopsis sp.   Digger Bee       Bombus sonorus   Sonoran Bumble Bee       Xylocopa virginica   Eastern Carpenter Bee    halictidae   Lasioglossum sp.   Sweat Bee    megachilidae   Megachile exilis   Slender Resin Bee       Megachile sp.   Leaf-cutter Bee    andrenidae   Protandrena sp.   Bee       Protandrena new sp.   Bee    vespidae   Polistes rubiginosus   Red Wasp    crabronidae   Cerceris sp.   Wasp    sphecidae   Sphex lucae   Digger Wasp       Ammophila sp.   Thread-waisted Wasp    mutillidae   Sphaeropthalma auripilis   Velvet Ant    formicidae   Crematogaster laeviuscula   Acrobat Ant       Cyphomyrmex rimosus   Fungus Growing Ant    ichneumonidae   Anomalon sp.   Ichneumon       Trogomorpha trogiformis   Ichneumon       Unknown sp.   Ichneumon diptera   syrphidae   Toxomerus marginatus   Flower Fly    bombyliidae   Hemipenthes scylla   Bee Fly       Poecilanthrax lucifer   Bee Fly    tachinidae   Archytas marmoratus   Tachinid Fly       Archytas sp.   Tachinid Fly       Unknown sp.   Tachinid Fly    calliphoridae   Lucilia cuprina   Bronze Bottle Fly    sarcophagide   Unknown sp.   Flesh Fly    muscidae   Neomyia cornicina   Fly    tephritidae   Paracantha sp.   Fruit Fly    dolichopodidae   Condylostylus sp.   Long-legged Fly    asilidae   Atomosia melanopogon   Robber Fly       Efferia sp.   Robber Fly    psychodidae   Paramormia sp.   Moth Fly    cecidomyiidae   Vitisiella brevicauda   Gall Midge (galls) odonata   coenagrionidae   Enallagma civile   Familiar Bluet       Argia plana   Springwater Dancer       Argia immunda   Kiowa Dancer       Telebasis salva   Desert Firetail    aeshnidae   Anax junius   Common Green Darner    libellulidae   Sympetrum corruptum   Variegated Meadowhawk       Tramea onusta   Red Saddlebags       Erythemis simplicicollis   Eastern Pondhawk       Erythemis vesiculosa   Great Pondhawk       Libellula croceipennis   Neon Skimmer       Pachydiplax longipennis   Blue Dasher       Perithemis tenera   Eastern Amberwing orthoptera   acrididae   Melanoplus differentialis   Spur-throated Grasshopper (nymph)       Melanoplus ponderosus   Ponderous Grasshopper (nymph)       Melanoplus femurrubrum   Red-legged Grasshopper       Hesperotettix speciosus   Showy Grasshopper (nymph)       Paraidemona sp.   Spur-throated Grasshopper       Schistocerca nitens   Gray Bird Grasshopper (nymph)       Schistocerca damnifica   Mischievous Bird Grasshopper       Schistocerca lineata   Spotted Bird Grasshopper (nymph)       Schistocerca americana   American Bird Grasshopper       Mermiria bivittata   Two-striped Mermiria (nymph)       Trimerotropis sp.   Band-winged Grasshopper (nymph)       Chortophaga viridifasciata   Northern Green-striped Grasshopper       Lactista azteca   Aztec Bandwing       Encoptolophus costalis   Dusky Grasshopper       Arphia simplex   Plains Yellow-winged Grasshopper    tettigoniidae   Paracyrtophyllus robustus   Truncated True Katydid (nymph)       Pediodectes haldemanii   Haldeman's Shieldback       Obolopteryx catinata   Spoon-tailed Short-winged Katydid (adult & nymph)       Amblycorypha huasteca   Texas False Katydid (nymph)       Scudderia furcata   Fork-tailed Bush Katydid (nymph)       Conocephalus strictus   Straight-lanced Meadow Katydid (nymph)    gryllidae   Oecanthus sp.   Tree Cricket       Gryllus sp.   Field Cricket    rhaphidophoridae   Ceuthophilus sp.   Camel Cricket blattodea   blaberidae   Panchlora nivea   Green Roach    ectobiidae   Parcoblatta fulvescens   Fulvous Wood Roach neuroptera   chrysopidae   Unknown sp.   Green Lacewing    myrmeleontidae   Myrmeleon sp.   Antlion (larva) trichoptera   leptoceridae   Leptocerus americanus   Long-horned Caddisfly       Oecetis cinerascens   Long-horned Caddisfly       Oecetis inconspicua   Long-horned Caddisfly    hydroptilidae   Unknown sp.   Microcaddisfly    philopotamidae   Chimarra sp.   Black Caddisfly psocoptera   psocidae   Hyalopsocus striatus   Barklouse thysanoptera   thripidae   Unknown sp.   Thrips    aeolothripidae   Aeolothrips sp.   Predatory Thrips araneae   araneidae   Argiope aurantia   Black and Yellow Garden Spider       Neoscona oaxacensis   Orbweaver    salticidae   Phidippus carolinensis   Carolina Jumper       Pelegrina galathea   Peppered Jumper    tetragnathidae   Tetragnatha laboriosa   Silver Longjawed Orbweaver    oxyopidae   Oxyopes salticus   Striped Lynx    thomisidae   Mecaphesa dubia   Crab Spider       Mecaphesa sp.   Crab Spider    lycosidae   Rabidosa rabida   Rabid Wolf Spider    pholcidae   Pholcus phalangioides   Long-bodied Cellar Spider