Here’s a detailed look at Lygaeus turcicus (commonly called the false milkweed bug), focusing on its appearance, lifecycle, ecological role, and how to encourage its populations by planting native hosts.

This butterfly was photographed on Wild Bergamot in late July, 2025. Here’s a comprehensive overview of Papilio polyxenes (commonly known as the black swallowtail butterfly), covering its ecology, life cycle, and host plant needs:

These photos and videos of Monarda fistulosa (wild bergamot) were taken in early August 2025 on Hood Street and at Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary. It is super popular with the bees and butterflies. Below is a detailed overview of the plant, along with the images and videos.

Bloom Time: July, August, September

Height: 4 feet

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Rabbit Proof Rating: 100%

This metallic green fly was spotted on Hood Street in late July 2025. Below is an overview of Condylostylus patibulatus—its ecology and ways to support it with native plants:

Check out Rebecca McMackin’s inspiring talk at the Beth Chatto Symposium. She’s an ecologically obsessed horticulturist and garden designer who spent ten years leading horticulture at Brooklyn Bridge Park, caring for 85 acres of parkland organically and creating habitat for birds, butterflies, and soil life.

Photographed on Hood Street, Summer 2025. Here’s a detailed overview of Neotibicen pruinosus (commonly called the Scissor Grinder Cicada), its ecological role, life history, and how to support it with native plants.

Host Plants: Does not have a single specific host plant — like most annual and dog-day cicadas, it is polyphagous (feeds on many plant species). It includes many deciduous hardwoods and sometimes conifers, but prefers trees common in prairies, savannas, and open woodlands.

Planted on Hood Street in 2023. Photograph from Summer 2025. Here is a comprehensive profile of Pycnanthemum muticum (blunt mountain mint), covering its botany, ecological role, and the wildlife it supports.

Bloom Time: July, August, September

Height: 3 feet

Sun Exposure: Full, Partial

Rabbit Proof Rating: 100%

Photographed the Summer of 2025 on Hood Street feeding on Blunt Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum muticum). Here’s a detailed ecological profile of Sphex ichneumoneus (Great Golden Digger Wasp), including its biology, ecological role, and recommendations for native plants to support it

Host Plants: Does not have larval host plants — its larvae are carnivorous and feed on paralyzed insects provisioned by the mother wasp. However, adult wasps feed on nectar, so in ecological discussions, the term “host plants” usually refers to nectar sources rather than larval hosts. Adult Sphex ichneumoneus feeds on nectar and pollen from a variety of native prairie and meadow flowers, especially those with open or composite blooms. Documented and commonly visited plants include:

Asteraceae (Composite Family)

• Milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) – especially common milkweed (A. syriaca)

• Rattlesnake master (Eryngium yuccifolium)

• Purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea, E. pallida)

• Black-eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta, R. triloba)

• Coreopsis (Coreopsis lanceolata, C. tripteris)

• Sunflowers (Helianthus spp.)

Lamiaceae (Mint Family)

• Mountain mints (Pycnanthemum virginianum, P. muticum)

• Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

• Agastache foeniculum (Anise hyssop)

Apiaceae (Carrot Family)

• Golden Alexanders (Zizia aurea)

• Wild parsnip (native forms)

Others

• Blazing stars (Liatris spp.)

• Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium purpureum)

• Boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum)

Photographed on 1400 block of Norwood, Summer 2025. Here’s a detailed profile of Sphecius speciosus (commonly called the Eastern Cicada Killer Wasp), including its life history, ecological role, and the best plants to support it

Photographed on Hood Street, Summer 2025. Here’s a full ecological profile of Colias philodice (clouded sulphur butterfly), including its life history, ecological role, and the best native host plants to support it—especially in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions:

Caterpillar photographed on Hood Street, Summer 2024. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the ecological role of Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly) and the best native host plants to support them, especially in the Midwest/Great Lakes region