Polistes exclamans
Discerning students of entomlogy recognize the difference between female wasps- which can sting- and males, which cannot. Here, the photographer handles a feisty but harmless male paper wasp. Austin, Texas, USA.
The distinctly long, yellow face of a male paper wasp. Austin, Texas, USA.
Ixodes
Ixodes is a genus of hard ticks, many of which are important vectors of disease. Austin, Texas, USA.
Drosophila repleta
Austin, Texas, USA
Drosophila putrida
Drosophila tripunctata
A three-spotted fruit fly visits a rotting pumpkin. Austin, Texas, USA.
Zaprionus indianus
An Indian Fig Fly visits a rotting pumpkin. Austin, Texas, USA.
This brightly-colored vinegar fly is a non-native species now common across North America. Austin, Texas, USA.
Pteromalidae
A small parasitoid wasp on a fall aster. Austin, Texas, USA.
Bruchomorpha
Portrait of a piglet bug. Austin, Texas, USA.
Flexamia
Austin, Texas, USA.
This small, mottled vinegar fly is commonly found around Opuntia cacti in the warmer regions of North America. Austin, Texas, USA.
Damon medius
Tailless whip scorpion.
Tylozygus bifidus
Portrait of a small sharpshooter. Austin, Texas, USA.
Parastenopa limata
This colorful fruit fly is one of many species whose wings mimic jumping spiders. The patterns are thought to dissuade real jumpting spiders, which normally avoid each other, from getting too close. Austin, Texas, USA.
