Ranch Manager Harold Out in the Field

These attractive metallic flies are commonly seen on leaftops, hunting for smaller insects. They are lively creatures and some species have elaborate mating dances.

Ponerine ants like this live their lives in forest soils and feed on other arthropods.

Camel crickets are large, abundant insects common to forests across the US. But they are rarely noticed, partly because they’re nocturnal. Here are two camel crickets that left their underground daylight hiding place to feed on a mushroom at night.

Widespread hatred is common forthe10 or so introduced cockroaches that now invade our homes. But the US is home to more than 70 species of native cockroach that do not act as pests. These natives might resemble pest species, but they live their lives in the wilderness. This specimen is a wood cockroach (Parcoblatta). Male…