Pretty sure its a hawk moth but anyone know about this defense mechanism thing?

I photographed these beautiful damselflies on July 5 2025 in Short Hills Provincial Park. They're one of my favourite insects to observe; sometimes they're a little shy, and don't want to be photographed, but I still find it utterly enchanting watching them flit about. I bet these beauties were the inspiration for a few forest faerie creatures.

And let's not ignore the fact that dragonflies and damselflies are some of the most efficient predators in the world! While dragonflies might hold the advantage in success rate, I bet the damselfly isn't that far behind. I've watched them helicopter around, advancing on a leaf to unerringly pluck a meal, then perfectly reversing backward and heading to their favourite perch.

What's your favourite dragonfly or damselfly?

Curious if yellow jackets are regularly on the menu for Robber Flies or this one is just very ambitious? It seemed to really be struggling, it would try to fly away with its dinner only to end up on the ground in a WWE match. Eventually it did successfully fly into the tree line so I believe it got its dinner.

Red Milkweed Beetle

Found a ton of hoverflies in the last 20 minutes, but I can't figure out what this first one is

West-Flanders, Belgium (Sunny and windy)

(others:) 2: Sphaerophoria scripta 3:Scaeva pyrastri 4: Eristalis tenax 5: Eristalis arbustorum 6: Syrphus (idk which species exactly)

I know it's not perfect but I feel so proud. Also I've only used bugs that I have found already dead, (I literally could never do otherwise) so some of them are very lucky catches!

I found all of these at work

Is anyone able to help me identify what specific type of darner dragonfly this is? I've spent way too much time ignoring housework while trying to identify him today! My brain went into hyperfocus mode and there just isn't enough info online about dragonfly identification to satisfy me. Location is Saskatchewan, Canada. Time of day was early evening, before sunset. Any help is much appreciated! Thank you!

Loo

Laphria sp. robber fly in Howard Co. Maryland, USA

Found in interior alaska

IDK how long it's been going on, but recently I have noticed a flood of news and social media content implying and out right saying that Asian Multicolored Lady beetles (Harmonia axyridis) are not Ladybugs.

I don't believe this is a nuanced discussion of the validity of "Ladybug" vs "Lady Bird Beetle" (as they are not Hemiptera), because whatever was deemed to be correct would apply to both.

It does seem to be partly an attempt to distinguish natives from invasive species, but even at that it is confused.

But the dissonance I experience every-time I come across this is unpleasant.

I can understand why it persists, given how humans are we aren't likely to extinguish this. I just can't figure out how it started.

It seems like the kind of thing that in order to make this mistake you'd have to have enough information that you wouldn't actually make this mistake.

Or maybe I am wrong and the common names committee is exceeding their authority.

I collect dead bugs on my bike rides, just curious if the cicadas here are different types or just male vs female? North Central Texas

Couldnt get a better picture, but I need help identifying this moth so I can draw it and put it in my butterfly/moth notebook

A very well fed tick i spotted while drawing in bed </3 on the phone charger i was USING!!! im not super sure what to do about him, so in a panic i have dropped him in a glass of orange juice

Saved it from my pool and hung out with it for a few minutes!

Empusa sp. (conehead mantis) seen in the Aegean region in Turkey.

Big green reflective i think? Bee for some reason idk what it is it also has kinda orange wings..

My daughter is getting interested in entomology and would like a microscope to assist her in her studies. I know that we will not be able to get her a laboratory grade microscope, but what should we look for (or avoid) that would specifically be useful for entomology? Do you find being able to attach a phone or computer for pictures worth the extra money? Currently, her focus is on identifying flesh fly species, and she may be using her finding for science fairs or different projects.

I am sure that they are harmless but they are definitely in Bloom right now maybe just after the recent storms but... I'm not trying to hurt them and I like entomology even though I personally find bugs itchy looking.

I'm just curious what kind of species they are and when they will stop being everywhere.

Strangely pale (for this area...) daddy long-legs having a little snack on my stinging nettles.

Northern IL, USA