One of my favorite things about inatting is finding something new! So here I ask what is your favorite species you’ve seen that was new to you this week? Personally mine has to be either the Phantom Orchids I found, or the aphids I found on them! I want this to be a fun thread of everyone’s exciting…

From the previous week, a first for me on iNaturalist: a little brown skink I found in a mulch pile I was moving

For the week of Sep 26 - Oct 2 2021: This parasitoid wasp in the genus Arachnophaga. This Stratiomyid fly which seems to be the first observation in the Georgia state. This striped cucumber beetle in the family Chrysomelidae.

This poorly named Vinegar Weed: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97091058 This plant is so finely structured that it is almost invisible, yet rather pretty close up. It was quite a hot day, yet no vinegar odor was detectable. Instead, when I touched it, the fragrance was pleasantly aroma…

Sunday October 2nd. Only one really outstanding new find this week I think. I was at Governors Island again. These Golden Ragwort plants (Packera aurea is native to eastern North America) may likely have started out here as planted, but they certainly appear to have multiplied by themselves, and th…

Saturday October 8th. Yes, Governors Island, NYC, once again… but on this visit I was able to find a lot of cool new lifers. Tautog, (Tautoga onitis) a marine species locally known as Blackfish. When I see someone fishing, I am always keen to see what they caught, if they will agree to show me. L…

I saw some wonderful mushrooms today, including what I suspect is a Witch’s Hat (which is such a cute name <33) and this other tiny mushroom which was the perfect resting spot for a small insect!

[image] susanhewitt: Tautog, (Tautoga onitis) a marine species locally known as Blackfish. I thought it was really cool to find out that they are a wrasse! I had always thought of wrasses as colorful tropical reef fishes.

Okay so I know I just posted those mushrooms a few days ago but I’m coming back because I am elated. This Compton Tortoiseshell visited my garage this morning and is now one of just five research-grade observations in my state. I couldn’t be happier :D

That is very cool, thanks! I do see that they have the “pouty” look that some Wrasses have!

What is your Favorite Lifer from this week?

Nature Talk

egordon88 October 9, 2021, 5:44pm 193

My first encounter with this colorful beetle https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/97491237

Topic		Replies	Views
What is the most interesting organism that you have seen in your local area? Nature Talk	51	2729	May 27, 2021
Two weeks into 2023! General question	35	1461	January 25, 2023
Coolest Observation You've Found? (observation stories, Part 2!) Nature Talk question , fun	27	2293	July 14, 2021
Moth Love Forum Nature Talk	315	6141	August 20, 2026
Mothing season in the northern hemisphere is almost over, what were your best finds, stories, cool species this year? Nature Talk	58	2702	December 10, 2022

What is your Favorite Lifer from this week?

Related topics