iNat 3 Observations

The Black Swallowtail or Papilio polyxenes, can be found throughout most of the U.S. The male and female black swallowtail can be told apart based on the color of the band on the hindwing. According to butterfliesandmoths.org, "Male has yellow band near edge of wings; female has row of yellow spots. Female hindwing with iridescent blue band." One thing I find interesting about the Black Swallowtail, is that while a caterpillar they love to eat herbs like parsley, cilantro, and dill. I found a group of them devouring the cilantro plant on my deck.

Source: https://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species/Papilio-polyxenes

The Common Reed or Phragmites australis, can be found along bodies of water. This group of them was found at Birky Pond, near Heartland Community College. The Common Reed beds could be a great foundation species, as a lot of animals like birds, bugs, and small fish, could take shelter within them. The common reed drew my attention is the purple flowers atop the reed.

Source: https://aquaplant.tamu.edu/plant-identification/alphabetical-index/common-reed/

This Goldenrod Soldier Beetle was found on a cutleaf teasel at Birky Pond. The Goldenrod Soldier Beetle is a very common species of soldier beetle in the Midwest, and is native to North America. The adult Goldenrod Soldier Beetle mainly eats pollen and nectar from flowers, which I assume it is doing here in this picture.

Source: https://wimastergardener.org/article/goldenrod-soldier-beetle/