Down in the Grass

 

After flourishing unshorn for most of the summer the meadow is a complex and inviting feature in the Park landscape.

Monarch butterfly on clover

A variety of grasses and wildflowers have accomplished their cycle of flowering and seed production.

A Grass-Veneer moth

Aptly named Grass-Veneer moths, when disturbed, fly moth-like with wings outstretched in short fluttery bursts to a nearby perch.

At rest they blend in securely with the stem of their host.

European Earwig

An earwig on the hunt climbs through the diaphanous panicle of a seed head.

Seven-spotted Lady Beetle

Several species of lady beetles, juveniles and adults, similarly find foraging opportunities, such as aphids.

Notated Lady Beetle

Ursine Spurleg Lady Beetle

A lady beetle larva

Another juvenile lady beetle

Lygus nymph

Plant bugs of all ages, sizes, and finery inhabit the luxurious vegetation.

A Differential Grasshopper

A meadow visit wouldn't be complete without a grasshopper encounter.