Length 2.5 mm. Differentiated from the very similar X. bispinatus and X. ferrugineus but the lack of a denticle or turbercle at the summit of the declivity on interstriae 1, slightly different arrangement of tubercles on interstriae 3. From sticky panel trap using cubeb lure.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
Length 2.8 mm. Distinguished from the very similar X. ferrugineus by the positions of the declivital tubercles, and the presence of regular interstrial setae on the elytral disc.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
Length 1.7 mm, collected from a panel trap with a manuka oil lure. Very happy to find one of these guys in my samples. The arrangement of the frons vestiture (facial hair) of the male is distinctive for this species.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
Length 2.3 mm, recovered from xylem galleries in a redbay with symptoms of laurel wilt disease (which will also be recorded separately). The "second wave" of the disease is currently quite active in this area.
Length 1.9 mm. This bark beetle emerged from a dead Darlington oak branch that had come down in recent storms. I always enjoy the "bangs" on the males of this species. A close relative, P. minutissimus, also emerged from the same branch (recorded separately).
In Florida these species are of little consequence, just feeding in dead oak branches. In areas of the country where oak wilt disease is a concern, these are reported to be a potential vector of the fungus.
Length 1.6 mm. This bark beetle emerged from a dead Darlington oak branch that had come down in recent storms. A closely related species, P. pruinosus, also emerged from the same branch (recorded separately). The frons vestiture (facial hair) on the males of this species are oriented more frontward and towards the center of the face.
In Florida these species are of little consequence, just feeding in dead oak branches. In areas of the country where oak wilt disease is a concern, these are reported to be a potential vector of the fungus.
Length 2.1 mm. I was happy to find a couple of this species (with its distinctively flattened pronotum) in a trap collection - I know that it's been documented in the state, but this is the first time I've found it. Also the first observation of the species on iNaturalist, apparently. From a sticky panel trap with a cubeb oil lure.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
Length 2.6 mm. Collected from a sticky panel trap with a cubeb oil lure.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
Length 2.9 mm. Found tunneling in a small dead sweetgum tree (killed by prescribed fire over the summer).
Collected from beneath the bark of a loblolly pine branch that probably fell during Hurricane Ian. Fallen tree branches are often overlooked as a great place to find bark beetles!
2.2 mm long. Recovered from phloem galleries in a dead loblolly pine. All three southeastern Ips species were found in the same stem (others recorded separately).
Length 1.8 mm. Collected from galleries in twigs from a loblolly pine branch that had fallen to the ground. Distinguished from the very similar P. pinavorus by the punctures on the elytral disc being confused, not arranged into clear linear striae.
Length 3.2 mm. Recovered from phloem galleries in a dead loblolly pine. All three southeastern Ips species were found in the same stem (others recorded separately).
Length 5.2 mm. One of four (one male, three female) recovered from phloem galleries in a dead loblolly pine. All three southeastern Ips species were found in the same stem (others recorded separately).
Length 2.4 mm, collected from a panel trap with a cubeb oil lure.
I have been going through and identifying stored specimens that were collected as "bycatch" (non-target species collected) for a 2013 trapping study targeting the redbay ambrosia beetle. These beetles were collected from sticky panel traps with a variety of different lures, swirled in odorless paint thinner to remove most of the tanglefoot, and stored in alcohol.
I think I photographed two individuals unless it was the same one that flew to another part of the bathroom.
In Pinecrest Gardens men's restroom before the Florida Native Plant Society's meeting. More info about the Dade Chapter here: https://dade.fnpschapters.org/
All of my observations from today, including a visit to Matheson Hammock Park: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2023-02-28&order=asc&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&user_id=joemdo
Loop Road, Big Cypress National Preserve
Observed during the 2023 South Florida City Nature Challenge (CNCSOFLO)
Project page: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2023-south-florida-cncsoflo/
Website: https://www.cncsoflo.com/
Instagram: @ cncsoflo
Blacklighting during a pseudo-camping trip (slept in my car, tent is broken) to Big Cypress.
I had two sheets set up, each lit by two USB "DJ" blacklights, powered by USB battery packs. I was competing with a full moon, which I think lowered the overall diversity and quantity of insects at the sheets. Winds were fairly weak but still would push on the sheets every once in a while.
Blacklighting observations from my two nights of blacklighting in this area: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?captive=any&d1=2023-06-02&d2=2023-06-04&place_id=any&project_id=34515&user_id=joemdo&verifiable=any
Besides blacklighting I did some hiking on the Florida trail north of I-75 and the next trail a few miles west. Both of these trails had wildfires pass through a few months prior. Link to info about the fire:
https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/environment/2023-04-07/cypress-camp-trail-fire-in-collier-expands-to-nearly-6-700-acres-reported-burning-close-to-i-75
After Big Cypress, I wasn't sure where to go next and briefly stopped at Fakahatchee and then drove past Everglades City before heading home due to my car starting a little funny.
All of my Big Cypress observations from this trip:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?d1=2023-06-02&d2=2023-06-04&order=asc&place_id=any&project_id=nps-big-cypress-national-preserve&subview=map&user_id=joemdo
Info about the cheapy DJ blacklights I used, great for getting started with blacklighting: https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/damontighe/11836-diy-moth-light
Here's a video showing the DJ blacklights in action at the Pinecrest campground (Big Cypress) from Summer 2019: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
Set up two sheets for blacklighting, this one on a mangrove trail and the other in a more open, disturbed area. Both sheets were lit by UV blacklights powered by USB battery packs.
You can learn more about the lights I used and my typical, simple setups here: https://youtu.be/tavmTa7WoPk
Cami was competing in the Shell Hacks Hackathon at the FIU BBC campus while I bioblitzed for hours. I started by just walking around near where I parked, focused on insects and birds and then set up two sheets for blacklighting.
All my observations from this trip to the BBC campus:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2023-09-15&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&user_id=joemdo
My blacklighting observations:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?on=2023-09-15&order_by=observed_on&place_id=any&project_id=blacklighting-florida&user_id=joemdo
Blacklighting project for Florida on iNaturalist: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/blacklighting-florida
BugGuide entry:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/1981962
BugGuide entry:
https://bugguide.net/node/view/947521
Organismo observado en el interior de un propágulo de Mangle Rojo (Rhizophora sp.).