Lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens) Honk! This week Crawlies engages in some more foul play! Once again, in honor of your Thanksgiving table, let’s meet another Turkey Day dinner option (also, once again – don’t tell the geese!) Meet the lesser snow goose (Anser caerulescens).Before we delve into the life[Read More…]

This week’s crawly is just ducky! Meet the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos).Don’t tell the mallard, but we’re getting to know them this week in particular because they are often on the menu Thanksgiving Day, whether served solo or as part of turducken.Mallards are the most recognized wild duck, also the most[Read More…]

Bright-spotted ground bug (Rhyparochromus vulgaris) This week we’ll meet a true bug with an unfortunate Latin name and a spritely common name. Meet the bright-spotted ground bug (Rhyparochromus vulgaris).Bright-spotted are in the Family Rhyparochromidae which has about 170 species in North America. The common name for this family is “dirt-colored[Read More…]

Johnson’s jumper (Phidippus johnsoni) This week we’ll meet a chunky jumper you’ve most likely seen around your yard but haven’t been properly introduced to. Meet the Johnson’s jumper (Phidippus johnsoni).Johnson’s and the other 76 jumping spider species in the Genus Phidippus are affectionately called “Phiddy’s.”Johnson’s are the most common Phiddy’s[Read More…]

Rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) Witches beware! This week’s crawly will leave you with grave consequences if you go after their eyes for your potions.Meet the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa), a “look don’t touch” crawly if ever there was one. They don’t sport that “three-mile orange” warning color on their bellies[Read More…]

Coyote (Canis latrans) This week’s spooky crawly is a critter of mythological proportions. Meet the coyote (Canis latrans).If you’ve ever heard a group of coyotes yipping and barking in the night, you can attest to their spookiness. However, there’s so much more to these super smart canids.Fun fact: Coyotes don’t[Read More…]

The western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) Keeping up our Halloween season Crawlies theme, this week we revisitThe western toad is a critter you just gotta love, warts and all!Fun fact: Why do toads have “warts”? Toads’ thick, funky, bumpy skin helps them retain moisture so they can travel quite far from[Read More…]

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) This week we kick off the spooky season with a clever corvid. Meet the American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos).Fun fact: Locally speaking, if you see a group of shiny black corvids hopping around a grassy lot in Cave Junction, odds are they are American crows. If you[Read More…]

Don’t let this week’s crawly fool you; even though they very much want you to believe they are a wasp, they are not. Meet the Xestoleptura crassicornis flower longhorn beetle.That’s a very long name for a beetle who is only one-half inch in length (not counting those fabulous antennae).Crassis (as[Read More…]

Treble-bar moth (Aplocera plagiata) This week’s crawly is a moth of many names. Meet the treble-bar moth (Aplocera plagiata), AKA the St. John’s wort inchworm, AKA the defoliating moth.Don’t panic! It’s a moth specifically imported for the sole purpose of defoliating, so it’s not a bad thing.By any name and[Read More…]