I love to look closely at small things in the natural world. On April 28, I was looking closely at a branch of a White Oak tree at Chilton Woods. When I went to grab a nearby branch, I was startled to realize that the branch was lined with small black and white striped insects. On even closer inspection I was transfixed by their bizarre coloration and appearance. I took lots of photos, of course, and when I got home I found out that they were Oak Treehoppers (Platycotis vittata) in their nymph stage. So once a week I made a point to visit this same tree and I was thrilled that they were there each time. My happy surprise came on May 16, when I was treated not only to the sight of an adult, but I also saw a newly emerging adult shedding its nymph skin. I’m so happy that I took a closer look in the first place and even more happy that I kept coming back to look again and again. — Anne Parker, BTC19
