Look At The Spiders

Not a spider! I had one of the Eriosomatinae woolly aphids in the backyard today. Apparently Michigan has three native and two invasive species, and I'll be damned if I can tell you which one this is. They do feed on young trees and can be destructive. They make a white, waxy coating for protection from predators and from dehydration. These little flying fairies are cute 😍 Sturgis, Michigan USA on 16JUL2026.

Neoscona crucifera male on a wooden fence at Trojan Timbers Park here in town. He was in full-on mating search mode and barely would stop long enough to get a photo. He is apparently not eating right now. You can see how small his abdomen is, as well as how large his dark pedipalp is the second photo. Good luck finding a female, buddy. 11JUL2026 in Sturgis, Michigan USA.

Xysticus sp. female on the door of the backyard shed 01JUL2026. I thought it might've been Mecaphesa sp. when I first took the photo, but I think Xysticus is the correct call in the end. Cutie! 😘 Sturgis, Michigan USA.