My Patio Wildlife

Xanthogramma pedissequum Came to visit us on the balcony. Had noticed a lovely shot of one of these from Afterforty and a few days later he showed up:)

Hey everything has a purpose! Aphodius rufipes common and widespread and able to travel miles to moth traps...lol We've had several of these little guys at the moth trap and around the balcony.

I have about 3 or 4 bird houses on the balcony in various places tucked down in plants (we don't have a way to hang them for birds although that was my original intention), along with about 3 bug houses or logs, and one bumble bee house. Most of them are occupied with various spiders, wood louse, snails, slugs, and other creepy crawly things. The lid to this one opens on top and this little spider is in there.

Our Xmas tree is looking good for December :)

Showed up in the moth trap. Stars of the catch 18 Aug 2012

Thought this was a little Crab spider of sorts, not so sure now. Thanks Andy for getting me closer with ID.

Little Bristley caterpillars. Took these by stacking the Raynox 250 with 150. They is tiny!!

Can't wait to see them a bit bigger. They over winter as caterpillars, so will be releasing them somewhere more lichenie. Took these by stacking the Raynox 250 with 150.

Probably second or third instar about now. Taken by stacking the Raynox 250 with 150. They is tiny!!

They eat lichen or like wilted dandelion or lettuce. Took these by stacking the Raynox 250 with 150. They is tiny!!

Final Instar.

Feeding on the Buddlia, they normally feed at night but this guy came out of the moth trap hungry...lol

Some sort of small California Poppy type flowers catchin the sun.