USF Botanical Gardens Hike Entomology Society at USF

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.

Photo 1. Group picture of ESSF members in front of a water tank painted as a caterpillar.

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)

For other observations, please visit iNaturalist.

Photo 2. A polydamas swallowtail caterpillar (Battus polydamas) resting.

Photo 3. An orange lady beetle (Subfamily Coccinellinae) underneath a leaf.

Photo 4. A close-up picture of a fly (Condylostylus longicornis). Has yet to be identified.

Photo 5. Two polydamas swallowtail caterpillars next to each other.

Photo 6. An Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) dragonfly on top of a branch.

Photo 7. University of South Florida apiary or 'bee-yard' at the Botanical Gardens.

Photo 8. A close-up picture of an atala (Eumaeus atala) butterfly.

Photo 9. Two Florida carpenter ants (Camponotus floridanus) climbing up a plant stem.

Photo 10. A camouflaged common bagworm moth (Psyche casta) against a tree.

Photo 11. Another angle picture of USF's bee-yard within a closed area for active bee hives.

Photo 12. A ESSF member holding an eastern lubber grasshopper (Romalea microptera).