Author: Christy Solo

Crawlies with Cri: Pinyon Jay

Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) Fun fact: Oregon is home to nine species of corvid (crows, ravens, jays). We’ve met several species so far, and this week’s crawly is a jay you may not have heard of. Meet the pinyon jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus).Pinyon jays may be one of Oregon’s best kept[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Longhorn Amazon ant

This week we once again learn that nature never runs out of amazing surprises! This week we’ll meet gynandromorphs.The pictured longhorn Amazon ant (Polyergus longicornis) is one example, and no, you aren’t seeing things! This particular ant is extra special because they are a bilateral gynandromorph!Whew! That’s a lot of[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Grotea californica wasp

“My, what big antennae you have!”“The better to sniff out small carpenter bees!”Meet the Grotea californica wasp. Grotea are small (one-half inch), elegant parasitoid wasps in the Ichneumoid wasp family. Oh, and yes, they really do use those antennae to sniff out small bees.We’ve met several ichneumoids before, which makes[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Colorful crawlies

Colorful Crawlies When we think of rainbows in nature, we think of spring showers or misty waterfalls or maybe even a prism.But this week we’re going to explore the ROY G. BIV of crawlies! All types of crawlies from the smallest wasps to big old wild turkeys rock a rainbow[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri – Mayfly

Diphetor hageni MAYFLY This week’s crawly is a little mayfly with big eyes and a bunch of common names. Meet the Diphetor hageni mayfly AKA Hagen’s small minnow mayfly, iron blue quill, light blue dun or dark blue-winged olive. Whew! That’s a lot of nicknames for one teeny fellow.I say[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Fire-colored beetle

Fire-colored beetle (pictured is Genus Pedilus) Strap yourselves in because this week’s crawly takes wickedly weird up a notch! Meet the fire-colored beetle (pictured is Genus Pedilus).There are 50 species of fire-colored beetles (Family Pyrochroidae) in North America. Pyrochroidae is from the Greek pyros which means fire and chroma meaning[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Tiphiid wasp

This week’s crawly is another fabulously funky wasp. Meet the tiphiid wasp (Family Tiphiidae; pictured Subfamily Tiphiinae).While there are 200 species of tiphiid wasp in North America, there have been only a handful (well, two handfuls) of sightings here in our area. Those found in our area (so far) have[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: American badger

American badger (Taxidea taxus) This week’s crawly falls under the heading of “What’s not to love?” Meet the American badger (Taxidea taxus).While most Oregonian badgers live in Eastern Oregon, there are some in our own backyard in Eastern Jackson County.That said, American badgers are mostly active at night so getting[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Conifer sawfly

Conifer sawfly (Genus Neodiprion) This week’s crawly is in the same order as bees and wasps. While they may look a little waspy, they are their own unique critter. Our featured mister also happens to have ab fab antennae. Meet the conifer sawfly (Genus Neodiprion).Let’s do a quick review: “What[Read More…]

Crawlies with Cri: Calliope hummingbird

Calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope) This week’s crawly is the embodiment of “small but mighty.” Meet the calliope hummingbird (Selasphorus calliope).Calliope are the smallest birds in North America, and the smallest long-distance migratory birds in the world. They spend winters in Mexico, as far as 5,000 miles from their northernmost breeding[Read More…]