The user name Pompilid refers to a group of wasps that prey on spiders, the best known of which is the Tarantula Hawk, a conspicuous resident of the Sonoran Desert where I live.
My name is Michael J. Plagens. I was borne in Detroit, Michigan, USA 1954. I attended Lakeview H.S. in St. Clair Shores and Wayne State University in Detroit. I eventually migrated to Tucson in Arizona where I completed Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Entomology. I took botany as a minor.
In 1981 I began my Ph.D. at the University of Florida in Gainesville. My dissertation was on spider ecology in corn fields. My PhD with major in entomology and minor in zoology was completed in 1985.
I returned to Arizona in 1986 and have devoted my spare time to the study and enjoyment of the Sonoran Desert.
On May 12, 2005 I was married to Zahra, a Nandi from Kenya. She is teaching me Kalenjin and Kiswahili. I am looking forward to many years of nature study in Kenya!
Digital Photographs Flora [edit]
Cactaceae
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Amaranthus albus Prostrate Pigweed
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Atriplex elegans Wheelscale Saltbush
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Boerhavia coccinea Scarlet Spiderling
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Boerhavia intermedia Spiderling
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Bowlesia incana Hairy Bowlesia
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Bouteloua aristidoides Needle Grama
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Bouteloua curtipendula Sideoats Grama
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Bouteloua rothrockii Rothrock Grama
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Carnegiea gigantea + Parkinsonia microphylla
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Clematis drummondii Virgin's Bower
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Chamaesyce hyssopifolia Hyssop Spurge
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Chamaesyce polycarpa Prostrate Spurge
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Chamaesyce setiloba Yuma Sandmat
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Crassula connata Sand Pygmy-weed
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Cryptantha angustifolia Narrow-leaf Popcorn Flower
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Cryptantha pterocarya Wingnut Cryptanth
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Cyperus rotundus Purple Nut-sedge
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Cynodon dactylon with fungal parasite Ustilago cynodontis
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Dasylirion wheeleri Sotol
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Heliotropium currasivicum Heliotrope
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Ipomoea barbatisepala Canyon Morning-glory
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Ipomoea hederacea Morning-glory
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Isocoma acradenia Alkali Goldenbush
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Jatropha cuneata Sangre de Drago
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Kallstroemia grandiflora Summer Poppy
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Larrea tridentata Creosote Bush
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Lycium fremontii Fremont Thornbush
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Mimulus cardinalis Cardinal Monkey Flower
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Nerium oleander Oleander Leaf Scorch disease
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Notholaena standleyi Standley Cloak Fern
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Parkinsonia aculeata Mexican Palo Verde
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Pectocarya recurvata Arch-nutted Comb Bur
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Petalonyx thurberi Sandpaper Plant
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Pluchea odorata Salt Marsh Fleabane
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Pluchea sericea Arrow Weed
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Prosopis pubescens Screwbean Mesquite
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Quercus emoryii Emory Oak
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Rhamnus crocea Hollyleaf Buckthorn
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Schismus barbatus Mediterranean Grass
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Senna covesii Desert Senna
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Stephanomeria pauciflora Wire Lettuce
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Tidestromia lanuginosa Woolly Tidestromia
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Trianthema portulacastrum
Digital Photographs Arthropoda [edit]
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Adelpha bredowii eulalia Arizona Sister
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Aphis nerii Oleander Aphid
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Calephelis nemesis Fatal Metalmark
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Cicindela oregona Tiger Beetle
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Dolomedes gertschi Fishing Spider
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Gerridae Geris sp. Water Strider
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Gnathatermes perplexus Encrusting Termites
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Homalodisca liturata Smoketree Sharpshooter
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Ichneumonid parasite of buprestid larvae
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Limenitis arthemis arizonensis
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Lygaeus kalmii Milkweed Bug nymphs
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Lytta auriculata Red-eared Blister Beetle
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Oecobius annulipes Wall Spider
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Peucetia Green Lynx with eggs
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Trimerotropis pallidipennis
Other Biota [edit]
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Sauromalus ater Common Chuckwalla