Seen This Week: Insects and the Scarlet Pimpernel

Spotted lanternfly at Herrs Island back channel, 3 August 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) 8 August 2026 Spotted lanternflies (Lycorma delicatula) became more abundant this week but are still just a handful compared to 2023. In fact I had to go looking for them. At the Herrs Island back channel on 3 August my experience was: “Found you, spotted lanternfly!” instead of three years ago: “Ewwwww! Yuk! So many spotted lanternflies!!” The bug at top landed on the bike trail and was buffeted by passing bicycles. Another perched near this year’s favorite host plant — invasive grapevine. They don’t seem to be using the Ailanthus trees as much. Perhaps they sucked them dry. Spotted lanternfly, Herr’s Island back channel, 3 August 2026 (photo by Kate St. John) My favorite bug of the week was this leaf-footed bug that landed on my window. I usually see them as silhouettes but this time he started low enough that I could see his colors and his eyes. Way cool! Silhouette (photo by Kate St. John)…