Fireworks and Waterworks
(click on photos to enlarge)
We’ve been on vacation for the past several weeks so I’m playing catch up with this post.
An unexpected display of fireworks at the Marriott Starr Pass behind the house surprised us late on the 5th. The downpour that occurred around 9 PM no doubt put a damper on things hence the late show. Unaware of their plan for pyrotechnics I thought someone was shooting a large gun outside the window! (I’ve been informed on 8/17 that the display was actually put on by Old Tucson).
The Grand Finale
The monsoons have arrived and the desert has awakened from its dry season slumber. We missed the first significant rainfall while we were away but have witnessed a few downpours since. Blue, cloudless skies have been replaced by cloudy, gray ones and the humidity can be significant. The paltry selection of moths attracted to the UV light in mid-June has been replaced by hundreds of moths, beetles, hoppers, mantids — you name it. Best of all is the emergence of the adult sphinx moths, in particular the White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata). It’s easy to understand how they also are described as hummingbird moths. One only has to stand near a nectar source in the evening and wait for one to buzz by your ear. They sound just like hummers and hover above flowers in the same manner only using a very long tongue rather than a beak to probe the flower for its sweet nectar.
White-lined Sphinx Moth (Hyles lineata) at Desert Willow
While watching the sphinx moths, I noticed another nectaring moth buried deep in a Desert Willow flower. This one is a member of the Noctuidae Family (Owlet or Cutworm Moths) and doesn’t have a common name. It is a very common moth here at the house.
Forsebia perlaeta at Desert Willow
Forsebia perlaeta in full view
While watching the fireworks display, I looked down at my feet and saw what I thought was a glowing green ember in the gravel (the fireworks were that close). The ember never died out and soon my curiosity was aroused. I scooped up the “ember” and took it inside. Here’s what I found–a pink glowworm!
Glowworm
I don’t know for sure, but suspect that this is a “larviform” female using bioluminescence in order to attract a male beetle. On the other hand it could be a true larva. I’d be happy to receive an opinion on this.
Last, but certainly not least, was the discovery of the giant Palo Verde Root Borer beetle hiding in our garage. Counting the antennae it measured about 4 inches in length! Even worse, it flew around making it a bit creepy to try to approach it and slip the ruler in place. Fortunately I got away with it without running and screaming from the garage.
Palo Verde Root Borer (Derobrachus geminatus)
The larvae of this beetle spend their time devouring roots of the Palo Verde tree. Obviously not a good thing for the tree. When the adults emerge in July, they mate and lay their eggs near the tree roots. As daunting as they appear, they’re really harmless to humans but will use their large pincers if provoked. They are attracted to house lights at night.
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