USF Botanical Gardens Hike Entomology Society at USF

Image: Group picture of ESSF members in front of a water tank painted as a caterpillar.

On Saturday October 7, 2023 the Entomology Society at USF ventured to the on-campus, University of South Florida's Botanical Gardens. The bug hike marks as entomology society's second trip outdoors to reconnect with nature.

The identified USF Botanical Garden insects:

• Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio troilus)
• Polydamas Swallowtail Caterpillar (Battus polydamas)
• Fly (Condylostylus longicornis)
• Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera)
• Common Lady Beetles (Subfamily Coccinellinae)
• Common Bagworm Moth (Psyche casta)
• Florida Carpenter Ant (Camponotus floridanus)
• Atala (Eumaeus atala)
• Eastern Lubber Grasshopper (Romalea microptera)

The identified USF Botanical Garden plants:

• Firebush (Hamelia patens)
• Cuban Jute (Sida rhombifolia)
• Climbing Dayflower (Commelina diffusa)
• Pigeonberry (Rivina humilis)
• Resurrection Fern (Pleopeltis michauxiana)
• Scarlet Creeper (Ipomoea hederifolia)
• Oriental False Hawksbeard (Youngia japonica)
• Crossberry (Grewia occidentalis)
• Skunk Vine (Paederia foetida)
• Scarlet Rosemallow (Hibiscus coccineus)
• Perennial Peanut (Arachis glabrata)

​The University of South Florida offers a course in bee-keeping within the Tampa Bay Area. The course is hands-on with up to 10 classes to obtain a certification of completion. All walks of life can join, regardless of one's knowledge in entomology.

For other observations, please visit iNaturalist.

Image: A polydamas swallowtail caterpillar (Battus polydamas) resting.

Image: An orange lady beetle (Subfamily Coccinellinae) underneath a leaf.

Image: A close-up picture of a fly (Condylostylus longicornis). Has yet to be identified.

Image: Two polydamas swallowtail caterpillars next to each other.

Image: An Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) dragonfly on top of a branch.

Image University of South Florida apiary or 'bee-yard' at the Botanical Gardens.

Image A close-up picture of an atala (Eumaeus atala) butterfly.

Image: Two Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) climbing up a plant stem.

Image: A camouflaged common bagworm moth (Psyche casta) against a tree.

Image: Another angle picture of USF's bee-yard within a closed area for active bee hives.

Image: A ESSF member holding an eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera).