The underwings moth (Catocala) normally rests with its brown forewings held together over its back, hiding the boldly colored hindwings beneath (partially shown here). If disturbed, it may quickly spread its forewings to reveal these bright hindwings. This might startle a predator, allowing the moth to escape. Greenwood Village (Aug., 2020) Photographer: Terry Hanford
According to Wikipedia, the Japanese beetle (Popillia japonica) is a species of scarab beetle. It is not very destructive in Japan, where it is controlled by natural predators, but in North America, it is a noted pest. In my Greenwood Village yard, they skeletonize leaves of Virginia creeper, and also enjoy eating the flowers of cinquefoil/Potentilla (as shown in the picture), roses, and evening primrose. Photographer: Terry Hanford
According to the website of the Boulder County Audubon Society (great gallery of regional dragonflies), this is the female Common Whitetail (Plathemis lydia). Why is a brown-tailed dragonfly called the Common Whitetail? Unlike the female of the species, the male has a showy white tail—described in the website as looking like a flying piece of chalk—and thus the name is applied to both. This showy-in-her-own-way female landed on a rock in my Greenwood Village yard in July 2020. Photographer: Terry Hanford
This is likely a sphinxmoth (hawkmoth), perhaps an Achemon Sphinxmoth. It is quite large for a moth, with the body about 2 inches long. It was resting in a mugo pine in my Greenwood Village yard, looking very much like a dead leaf, except when it was fluttering its wings, apparently drying out from the morning rainstorm.
Photographer: Terry Hanford
A Western tiger swallowtail feasts on Red Valerian (aka Jupiter’s Beard) in our suburban yard in Centennial, CO. Photographer: Susan Jenkins
Honey bees like this one in a Denver backyard garden are not natives of North America. They were introduced in 1622 by colonists in Jamestown. Today they play a critical role in our food supply by pollinating plants — many of which were introduced as well. Recently they have been threatened by indiscriminate use of pesticides and diseases like colony collapse disorder. Photographer: Bob Stocker Stocker Photos
White-lined sphinx moths (Hyles lineata) must beat their wings very fast to keep their plump bodies aloft. In evening light, they can be mistaken for hummingbirds as they hover at flowers gathering nectar. This one, however, was motionless during the day on the wall of my Greenwood Village home. September 2020. Photographer: Terry Hanford
