Greenhouse Millipede - Oxidus gracilis

2 mysteries are solved here ( as of 07 -15 -10 ):

Questions:

1. What kind of millipedes are these?
2. Why do I often find then in swarms on top of each other?

Answers:

1. Greenhouse Millipede ( Oxidus gracilis )
2. As quoted by Aaron Goodwin from Bugguide:

A lot of times the male millipede will run over the top of the female to stimulate her with his legs. I've seen it with captive African giants and also desert millipedes (Orthoporus ornatus).

It's interesting to see them mosey along at a slow pace, and then all of a sudden a male will move really fast over the top of a female. Once he reaches her head, they turn face-to-face for copulation, or sperm transfer.

- Aaron Goodwin @Bugguide

Finally. I would see swarms of these on the fences at camp on damp mornings and lots of them would be on top of each other ( sometimes 3 at a time! Males fighting for dominance? ).

I'm immensely pleased to know the actual reason. I knew it had something to do with.....hem hem... sex but since millipedes don't mate on top of each other I naturally had questions. But I didn't know where to begin to search for answers.

So I'm finally happy to have some after years of wondering. I thought many things but all of them were wrong....in a sense. I was right about one thing.

It all had to do with.....*blush* sex. So there you go. XD

Hope Mr. Goodwin doesn't mind me quoting him. ^.^;

The Miniscule Series - The Big Race

*Giggle* This is so cute!



Again there's a lesson in this. 10 bonus points if you guess what it is.

Download:

The Big Race

Until next time folks!

Holy Sh*t!

Moth flies.....this one is Clogmia albipunctata. Cute little thing yes? WRONG!

They can kill you.......

According to Wikipedia they have venom that's potentially fatal. I have yet to find out if any of this is indeed true as we all know that Wikipedia does contain lies.

But for now.....holy shit! I saw one in my house yesterday.

Despite their small size, Psychodidae are able to inject venom through human skin. The actual amount injected is very small in physical volume. When this small amount of venom is diffused throughout the body of a healthy, mature human, it usually does not amount to a fatal dose.

Deaths in healthy adults from Psychodidae bites are relatively rare in terms of the number of bites per thousand people. However, if enough sustained bites go untreated for a length of time, they can prove fatal. Sixty-three deaths were reported in the United States between 1950 and 1959.

Sweet Jesus......I've actually held these things many times over the years and I've never felt them trying to penetrate my skin before.

Unless you can't feel it? But mosquitoes are also small and you can feel them when they try to steal your blood so what's up with that? Like I said I'm definitely going to ask around about this and see if I can confirm this to be true.

And if it is. I want to know if all species carry this potentially fatal venom. It seems so unlikely though yet Idk for sure since I haven't gone out to back this up even though I don't want to back it up because I'm hoping for a false alarm.

You will certainly know if it is a false alarm. I hate to believe something so common has the potential to be so deadly if enough of them bite you.....

Lord have mercy. The source to this and other info on Psychodidae: Clicky!

Grapevine Epimenis - Pyschomorpha epimenis

This isn't a butterfly. It's a moth. That's the first thing I should point out to you. Funnily enough when I was searching for additional info on these that's one of the things pointed out that it's often mistaken for a butterfly.

Smh....this isn't the first time the internet has more or less "read my mind" so to speak. Anyway what do I know about these personally? Only that they're *GORGEOUS* and if I had seen one I would mistake it for a butterfly until I got a closer look.

Unfortunately they're not found around here. So I'd have to go upstate or down ( as they can be found in Florida and Texas ) to see them.

I don't particularly mind as I have plans to go to Texas someday for completely different reasons ( SELENA! ) though but the insect appeal is also a bonus. :P

While searching for info I came across the guide page from bugguide here.

Any more info ( still searching ) I'll post here. For now this is it. Enjoy.

Bugs I saw today:

1 moth fly
1 transparent flying thing. Idk what it was. It's possible it could've been a moth fly of some sort.

But I really don't have a clue.

Kawaii!

This isn't a miniscule but it's too cute not to post.



Enjoy!

Download:

Japanese/Thai Commercial With Caterpillars

YAY!

Halysidota harrisii Count:

5 as of today. YAY!

This one was huge compared to the other 4. Must be getting close to the final molt. I wish it and all other ones all the luck in the world.

God bless them. Halysidota is one of my favorite Arctiidae geniuses.

The Flies Need To GTFO or DIE!

No I'm serious they need to go or this is war.....they don't want war I'm telling you.

So I've....We've been having a fly problem.....as in they've gone fucking crazy and won't leave me alone. They were bothering me all day today as if I haven't got enough bothering me atm. Idk why or what's making them pick on me but it needs to stop.

I mean we've always have had the occasional fly but it was never like this. They've as I've said gone fucking crazy. How? Well......

* They keep getting in my face.....
*.......landing on me......
* Following me everywhere ( Paranoid? Hell no! )
* Interrupt me when I'm watching TV ( by flying all around it & the entire kitchen )

The only thing they so far haven't done is try and get in my food. They better not even think about it or I swear it'll be the last thing they ever do.

I'm not playing here as I've got 0% tolerance for something like this now.

The Minscule Series - The Flying Ants

Ants are the smartest insects in the insect world. End of discussion. :P

Download:

The Flying Ants

There is some truth to this. Ants overcome obstacles so brilliantly it puts others to shame. ^.^

Bugs

I had a long eventful day today. Bugs I saw:

1 wasp ( mud dauber? @ pool )
1 red admiral or silver spotted skipper ( although I think it was a admiral )
1 dragonfly?

Yeah that's all for today I'm exhausted. -_-

The Minscule Series - Christmas With The Spider and The Fly

Normally I would post something like this during the X-mas holiday....



.....but since it's nowhere near Christmas.....Enjoy anyway!

Download:

Christmas With the Spider and The Fly

You're very welcome!

Wishing You All The Best

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

Hoping you all have a good one!

Please stay safe!!

Common Sulpher - Colias philodice

These almost always have their wings closed. Why this is I haven't a clue. I had the pleasure of seeing the white form of the female on a button bush along with either a male or the yellow ( regular ) form of the female.

I really don't know which. I'm guessing it was a male since it was larger. But what do I know when the damn things won't stay still and won't open their wings?

Any way once more we go with the info. Do extra research!

The Common or Clouded Sulphur (Colias philodice) is a North American butterfly in the family Pieridae, subfamily Coliadinae.

This butterfly may be encountered in fields, lawns, Alfalfa or Clover fields, meadows, and roadsides. Swarms of these butterflies will congregate at mud puddles. They range over most of North America with the exception of Labrador, Nunavut, and northern Quebec.

This I already knew to some extent. What shocked me is this:

The pale yellow eggs are laid singly on the host plants. The eggs turn red after a few days, then turn gray just before they hatch. The young larvae will eat one another. The larva is green with a white stripe running along each side of the body.

The white stripes may contain bars or lines of pink or orange. The green chrysalis hangs up right by a silken girdle. Just before enclosion, the chrysalis turns yellow with a pink "zipper".

Holy shit.

Are you freaking serious?! If this is true I might as well stop thinking right this minute. I've heard and read about cannibalistic caterpillars but this is insane in the fact that it doesn't go into this more and left me not only with my jaw on the ground but wondering how any survive to make it to adulthood.

Surely some survive cause I wouldn't see any at all anywhere if they didn't. I wonder why? Is this a characteristic thing with this species or even the genius? This is not only horrifyingly fascinating but it's confusing.

And it's because they don't go into detail about it. Such a shame. I'll definitely look into this more. You mark my words I will. Although not now because I'm tired.

Interesting though huh? Copyright infringement is not intended.

Halysidota harrisii Count:

4 as of today. Ironic isn't it?

FINALLY!

Halysidota harrisii Count:

3 so far!

2 today and 1 yesterday. *Squee* I'm so happy and I certainly hope I see more. I'm keeping track of my fuzzy little friends. I brought one home to show mommy ( let it go afterwards ). XD

I love you!! God bless you!

Convergent Ladybug - Hippodamia convergens

When I saved one from drowning in the pool I was utterly shocked at how tiny these things are. But they're fast. Once it was pretty much dried off ( it was still working on it's wings ) it was running around my hand like crazy.

Mine was more orange though. You'd be surprised at how variable these things can get. Not within color so much ( it's always between red and orange ) but with the spots.

Crazy I say. I found this out while browsing for photos of this little pretty "lady".

Hippodamia convergens, commonly known as the convergent lady beetle, is one of the most common lady beetles in North America and is found throughout the continent.

Oh really? If it's sooo common then why is this my first time seeing one? I might've seen one years ago but I really don't remember.

Honestly Harmonia axyridis is more common around here! Maybe that will change?

Hopefully as I really like these petite ladybugs. Although if my memory serves correct the Ash Grey Ladybug ( Olla v-nigrum ) could give it a run for it's money!

I remember seeing one a million years ago at camp.....that was the only time I saw one.

And it was tiny!

Spotted Cucumber Beetle - Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Found one in my house. This would be for a second time in years. At least I know that they're around here which isn't something to be happy about for housing who plants all the plants around my house.

And I suppose me? But I don't think they'll attack Sycamores or Japanese Pagodas....

Would they? Idk but I do know that they are pests and shouldn't be taken too lightly. They should be watched just in case their numbers get out of control.

We wouldn't want that now would we? Nope.

The spotted cucumber beetle (Diabrotica undecimpunctata) is a major agricultural pest insect (see also cucumber beetle). In the adult form it eats and damages leaves of many crops, including cucmbers, soybeans, cotton, beans and many others.

In the larval form, which is known as the southern corn rootworm, it tunnels through the roots of young plants, stunting or killing them. These native pests have a wide range of host plants, but will readily infest a field of crop plants, most notoriously corn.

Adult beetles are greenish-yellow with six large black spots on each elytron. They are about half a centimeter long. The larvae are yellowish and wormlike.

They can obviously be mistaken for yellow ladybugs. There are yellow ladybugs but I haven't seen any around here. Chances are if I did most likely it would be some weird color morph of Harmonia axyridis.

Smh....so anyway I think the total of how many I've seen so far in my life time has been 3.

Yeah I know pitiful. :P 2 at home ( each a different year ) 1 at camp. Of course I probably did see more but I just don't remember.

And here's a linky with more substantial info: Clicky!

Copyright infringement is not intended. Please don't sue. -_-

OMG! Bedbugs!

My mom found one of these bastards crawling on her in the kitchen.......she called me and well that's when all hell broke loose.

I thought it was a mosquito at first......but it obviously wasn't.



Remember this? Yeah.....I thought you might. I had posted this a while back. I think that little bastard came from the pool.

I went to the pool earlier today and there were tons of bugs flying around....

1 Cucumber Beetle ( In my house around 4:00AM )
1 Convergent Lady Bug ( Pool )
1 Treehopper ( Pool )
1 dragonfly ( 99% sure it was a "Saddle bags" )

I pray to God that that's the last one we ever see in this house.....

The Miniscule Series - The Fly Makes Fun of The Small Spider

Very important lesson to learn here kids. Remorse.

Cute as hell though right?

Download:

The Fly Makes Fun of The Small Spider

Red Admiral Count

I'm keeping track of all the red admirals I've seen this year. So far it's 20.

When And Where I've Seen Them:

Morning Side ( 18 all together )
My House (1 right outside the entrance )
One of My Churches ( 1 flying around the bushes to the entrance )

Who knows how many more I've yet to see!!

The Miniscule Series - The Beetle and The Mirror

Somehow I think some of this could actually happen......

Download:

The Beetle and The Mirror

Your Welcome!

Butterflies

All of the butterflies and bugs I saw today Morning Side:

♥ 4 Red Admirals ( one was by my house and I got to touch them! *Squee* )
♥ LOTS of Carpenter bees
♥ LOTS of Cabbage Whites
♥ 1 Silver Spotted Skipper
♥ 2 Clouded Sulphers ( Male and female ( white form ) OMG! )
♥ 2 Geometrid Caterpillars!!
♥ 2 -3 Honey Bees
♥ Various other bees
♥ European Paper wasps or Yellow Jackets

So very happy!

The Miniscule Series: Ventilator With Spider Against Fly

There is some truth in this. Spider silk is very strong. Either as strong as steel or stronger.

Can't remember which but I'll go and look it up.

Download:

Ventilator With Spider Against Fly

Untill next time my pretties! Aren't the bugs just the cutest? *.*

Jamaican Monarch Danaus cleophile

Jamaican Monarch - Danaus cleophile

Sorry about the watermark. I'll see if I can get it removed. Until then.

There isn't anything on this one other then distribution. Disappointing.

Miniscule Series - The Latin Cicada

Imagine if they were this impressionable.



And this also has a very important message in it.

Can you figure out what it is? Bonus points for you if you do!

Download:

The Latin Cicada

Your welcome

Bug of The Month: Tiger Swallowtail Papilio glaucus

I saw one today at my local park and I got all sentimental. XD I guess because never in a million years would I think of seeing one here of all places.

But I should be more expecting I guess. But I love surprises. Who doesn't?

On with the info. Since Wikipedia is keen on giving detailed descriptions of the butterfly instead of info on it's biology and life cycle.....smh I think I'll look elsewhere for anything that I didn't already know on this gorgeous butterfly.

For instance the female has 2 forms. A yellow one ( photo ) and a black one. Presumably to mimic Pipevine Swallowtails ( Battus philenor ). Why? Well because they're toxic. Think Monarch butterfly and you should get it ( Monarchs are toxic ).

But what I don't get is why it's only the females that do so? With the Viceroy ( Limenitis archippus ) mimicking the Monarch it isn't just one sex that does it. Both sexes mimic the Monarch and do so well that when they're flying especially you can't tell the difference.

So for only the females to do so is odd.....but there must be something to gain from this. But what? Well I'll try and look into that some other time.

Info sources listed below. Enjoy!!

Males patrol for receptive females. Females lay eggs singly on host leaves. Caterpillars eat leaves and rest on silken mats in shelters of curled leaves. Chrysalids overwinter.

The Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) is a large (12 cm wingspan) swallowtail butterfly. It is found in the Eastern United States, as far north as southern Vermont, and as far West as extreme Eastern Colorado.

It flies from spring through fall, and most of the year in the southern portions of its range, where it may produce two or three broods a year.

Please note that there is more then one species of Tiger Swallowtail.

In the Appalachian region, it is replaced by the closely-related and only recently described larger-sized Papilio appalanchiensis, and in the north, it is replaced by the closely-related Papilio canadensis. These three species can be very difficult to distinguish, and were formerly all considered to be a single species.

There are two morphs of adult females, a yellow and a dark one. The yellow morph is similar to the male, except that the hind wings have an area of blue between the black margin and the main yellow area.

In the dark morph, most of the yellow areas are replaced with a dark gray to a black. A shadow of the "tiger stripes" can still be seen on the dark females. The dark form is more common in the Southern portions of the range, especially in areas also inhabited by the poisonous Pipevine Swallowtail, which it seems to mimic.

More on Tiger Swallowtails in general some other time. Enjoy this!

Sources:

Butterflies and Moths of North America ( the site )
Wikipedia

Copyright infringement is not intended.

First Day of Summer! YAY

Today is the first day of Summer! YAY!

Any bugs? Nope I didn't have time to go to the park. I do I have plans to go tomorrow to celebrate properly. I only wish my fuzzy little friends Halysidota harrisii would make an appearance.

It's been over a year since I've seen them.

I miss them. :(

Update!

Since writing this my house has been invaded with these:

❀ Plant bug ( Miridae )
❀ Leaf hopper
❀ A June beetle
❀ Small beetle don't know what kind

I must say THANK YOU!! It's like they knew......I think somehow they did.

Thank you.

Miniscule Series - Fight For The Lollipop

I LOVE this! Absolutely priceless!



Imagine something like that happening in real life! Smh it's too cute!

Ultra kawaii at the ending!!

Download:

Fight For The Lollipop

Again your welcome!

Long Tailed Spangle - Papilio macilentus

Long Tail Spangle ( Papilio macilentus ) - 긴꼬리제비나비 ( in Korean ) is one of 700 species of Swallowtail butterflies.

Of course the number of species of Papilionidae have most like increased so 700 is just what I'm going by according to my books. There's plenty of more out there waiting to be discovered for sure and I look forward to hopefully finding out about them.

Usually with tropical butterflies there isn't a lick of information on them. But with this one I was pleasantly surprised that there was something on them.

Once again Wikipedia provides. I advise you to do extra research.

Papilio macilentus is a Papilionidae butterfly found in Japan, China and Korea. It is found in the valleys or the margins of the forest. This species has the longest tail in the family Papilionidae.

The spring type is found from April to June, and the summer type from July to August. The larvae feed on citrus. During daytime, females fly low and lay eggs one by one on the leaves of the plants. The species hibernates in the pupal stage.

Males have whitish markings in the overlapping part between the fore wings and the hind wings.

Funnily enough I think that this is the only fully black Swallowtail that I know of atm.

Bonus: A video of a male Papilio macilentus drinking minerals from the soil



Absolutely beautiful. I would die if I saw any tropical lepidoptera.

Until next time!

Bug Inventory At The Park

Ok my pretties!

I saw more bugs today!

❀ Carpenter bees ( Only God knows how many they're were )
❀ 4-5 Cabbage Whites
❀ 3-4 Plant bugs ( Miridae *sp?* )
❀ 2 orb weavers
❀ 2-3 Adult ladybugs & tons of their larvae ( Harmonia axyridis )
❀ Tadpoles ( yes I know they're not insects :P )
❀ A mother duck and her ducklings ( swam up to me too *precious* )
❀ Damselflies ( Bluets maybe? )

That's all of them. Had a wonderful day and I look forward to more.

Miniscule Series

I have no idea where these are originally from only that I love them. So enjoy!



This I had posted a link to before but for all I know it might be broken.

Damn that ladybug is a two timing bastard!



Like mother like daughter. Pass on the tradition to your children......

Teaching it's children to be two timing bastards just like their mommy.

Download:

La Coccinelle
A Good Education

Download credits: Me of course. :P Your welcome!

Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale

Idk.......this is a random one today. I totally did not plan this at all. But enjoy anyway. Once again Wikipedia provides. But I urge you to do extra research on these and any other entries past, present, and future cause Wikipedia isn't always reliable.

Especially for some reason when it comes to mantids.....*scratches head* why is that?

Any way just read this excerpt and the rest in the link provided and do extra research to confirm that what Wikipedia says is true.

I don't want to be providing false information. You know how embarrassing that is?

On with the info!

The hawthorn shield bug, Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale, is a common European Shield Bug. Its chief food is haws, the fruit of the hawthorn tree, but adults can overwinter on a diet of leaves, and individuals can be found on many potential food plants, including pedunculate oak, sessile oak and whitebeam.

They may grow up to 17 mm long, and are camouflaged in shades of green and brown. Like many so-called "stink bugs", they may release unpleasant odours when disturbed.

Rest of info here. Remember go do your research!!

Water Measurers - Hydrometridae

Well when I tried to find out more on these it was difficult because I was aiming for any individual species. Turns out there's hardly anything on them.

Why? I have no clue. But there is a bit on water measurers in general. For now I guess I'll have to stick with that but I'll have a poke around Bugguide and see if there's any interesting info tied to a specific species. There must be because I have questions.

I mean how do they reproduce? Being that they're Hemipterans/Homopterans how and where do they molt? What are the details on their life cycle as a whole?

I mean all these questions and no answers? Same goes with every other insect that makes it's living on the water's surface. If they're known to science surely there must be something on them other them what Wikipedia provides?

Add the fact that Wikipedia isn't always reliable I'd like to hear about them from multiple sources but..... Until then I'll just go with what we know.

But I will keep looking for anything else that pops up.

Linky! Keep in mind this is water measurers in general.

Also this is interesting as it mentions 2 species of water measurer Hydrometra stagnorum and H. gracilenta which is endangered.

And since I just discovered this site I'll have a poke around there.

Black Leaf-Leg Phylloscelis atra

This isn't a beetle but it would fool anyone into thinking it was. This is a planthopper a beetle. And according to Andy Hamilton they live together with leaf beetles ( Cryptocephalus sp. ).

I have no idea why. What benefit would they get from living together?

I know that certain species of leaf beetles have toxic properties but the ones these are living with are found on wild mint and to my knowledge wild mint doesn't have any toxic properties that I know of. Unless of course I'm missing something?

And if I am what? This is mind boggling because I can't find anything else on them other then what Andy says and the general info from Bugguide.

So this is indeed very interesting....I want to know more naturally.

Copyright infringement is not intended.

Aquatic Insects

A list of all aquatic insects that I plan to do entries on hopefully this month:

Water Striders:

*Species covered:

Velia caprai

Water Measurers
Water Treaders
Water Boatmen
Backswimmers

There are more but I have to go start researching species!!

Water Cricket Velia caprai

Yeah....this doesn't look like a cricket does it?

Yup that's what I thought too when I went researching these. I remember reading the name somewhere in the library.....I'm not sure if it was in a book or on the computer the point is I came across it thinking it was an actual species of aquatic cricket.

Nope. Turns out it's not a cricket but one of the Water Striders in the family Veliidae. For those of you who don't know what a water strider is the best way I could put it is....

....A really cool bug that skates across the surface of water.

That's for you people who don't have "entomological connections" ( is that even a word? ).

In other words I was nice enough to simplify it for you. :P For those who want a nice long scientific explanation well.......your wish is my command:

Kingdom: Animalia (Animals)

Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class: Insecta (Insects)

Order: Hemiptera (True Bugs, Cicadas, Hoppers, Aphids and Allies)

Suborder: Heteroptera (True Bugs)

Infraorder: Gerromorpha

Family: Veliidae (Broad-shouldered Water Striders)

Genus: Velia

Species: caprai ( Velia caprai )

Understand all that? No? Well that's too bad cause I don't have a clue on how to simplify that for you "simpletons" ( no offense intended ).

I suggest you start Googling these terms. Wikipedia would be happy to help.

I wish I could provide some info on this particular species but there doesn't seem to be much on them other then the fact that they can be found in Europe.

Such a shame since the only species of water striders that I've seen were probably Microvelia sp. Well I guess this is it for now...

....until next time my pretties!!

Mystery True Bug ( Lopidea sp. )

Saw a whole bunch of these today covering the fence outside my local park. I have no idea what they are. The only thing I do know is the classification and the species: Lopidea sp.

I was originally thinking that these were either Lopidea media or L. davisi but the placing of the yellow stripe on the thorax of L. davisi is thicker and somewhat different then the ones in the photo. Plus the head is also yellow.

While on Lopidea media the stripe is completely absent. Photos here. Surprisingly enough this bug is bugging everyone ( pun intended ). Everyone on Bugguide wants to narrow this bastard down to species. It still remains under "unidentified".

Funnily enough I was hoping that I could change that but I too am coming up dry.

Here's what I do know:

~♥~ They're in the genius Lopidea
~♥~ They're are Lopidea sp. that feed on Black locust
~♥~ There was a black locust right behind that fence they were swarming on

So what I was thinking of is if someone could some how narrow down all the Lopidea sp. that feed on black locust and maybe we'll find it...??

Idk but I'm going to do some poking around. This mystery will be solved eventually.

Until next time my pretties!!

Happy Memorial Day!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!

I hope you all have a nice one.

As for me Idk....my life is kinda boring now. XD Although I do go to the park every chance I get. Since my life is pretty much messed up I haven't blogged too much this month.

I've been tired alot. You can thank the bastards upstairs for not knowing the meaning of the word consideration. It's a shame since I really do enjoy updating this thing with everything insect related but lately I've been having "inspiration trouble".

I guess it's due to this month being a bummer and not getting enough sleep. But I'm working on filling in post as much as I can.

Any way you'll hear from me sooner or later.

Banded Peacock Papilio palinurus

It's such a shame that there isn't much on this beautiful butterfly. All that I could gather was this from Wikipedia:

The Emerald Swallowtail (Papilio palinurus) is a butterfly found primarily in South East Asia and is one of the very few green butterflies around. It is also referred to as Emerald Peacock or Green-banded Peacock Swallowtail.

Wikipedia also mentions that there are alot subspecies. This one in the photo is blue but it could very well be from the way the light is reflecting off of it's wings.

Of course there's also the possibility of it being:

1. One of the many subspecies
2. Has yet to turn green because it just emerged from the pupa

But what do I know? I'm just guessing here! :P

Bullet Ants

This is insane. Absolutely insane!



And Cracked also has something to say on these things:

It's a full inch long, it lives in trees and thus can and will fall on you to scare you away from its hive--the one you didn't know was there, because it's in a fucking tree. Before it does this, it shrieks at you. This ant, you see, can shriek.

It's called a Bullet Ant because its 'unusually severe' sting feels like getting shot. On the Schmidt Sting Index, Bullet Ants rate as the number one most try-not-to-shit-out-your-spine painful in the entirety of the Kingdom Arthropoda.

Also--and we do feel the need to stress this--they fucking shriek at you before they attack.

Damn....

Garden Fleahoppers Halticus bractatus

Funny how this picture makes this thing look cute......I mean it is cute but not when there hundreds.....maybe thousands all over you.....

I remember encountering these at camp a million years ago. The one in the photo is a female. Males have more developed wings. In other words the males have your "typical" Hemiptera wings. I remember at the time I recorded these as flea beetles....

Looks like I have to dig through my journals to find the one that mentions these. Oh boy. 18 years worth of journaling to go through. This is going to be fun. *Sarcasm*

So as I was saying I found these in this field at camp and they were pretty much EVERYWHERE. I said they are cute but not when they're thousands of them jumping all over you. It got be a little annoying after awhile.... XD

So for now I present you with a link to info. Please keep in mind that these are tiny.

Which is probably another reason why I mistook these for flea beetles.

Info: Bugguide

Bug Invasions!

Over the past few days we've had:

June Beetles
TONS of flies
2 moths
A Spider
The wasp ( as you know )

I look forward to seeing more. That is all....until next time! ^.^

BOTM: The Praying Mantis

Today the mantis is celebrated. Why? I'll tell you in a minute but first I feel the need to tell you about 2 species of mantis:

1. The African Mantis Sphodromanis viridis ( photo ):

First off this isn't the only mantis with this name so naturally to avoid an identity crises it's been given other names like Bush Mantis, Giant African Mantis etc.

Secondly this species has been known to produce parthenogenically.

Holy shit.

As with most mantis species, S. viridis males are frequently the victims of sexual cannibalism. Female produce an ootheca within a few days of mating and can produce several before she ends her life cycle Each ootheca produces up to three hundred nymphs when it hatches. This species has also been noted to have produced parthenogenically.

This means that they don't need males to reproduce. Aphids do this and this is why they're so hard to get rid of without enlisted help.

I never knew or thought that this was possible. Next thing you're going to be telling is that they're parasitic mantises! 0_0

Idk if this is even possible but I'll do some research. I don't think so but you never know. Also these are often kept as pets. How I would love one or 2 but that's not possible because I haven't a clue as to where to get them from.

I did mention wanting one to my mom and she did say that I could......so there is hope on that matter. Luna moths are still in the works. I'll have to talk with her again.

But I would love a mantis in this house.

2. Brunner's Mantis Brunneria borealis:

This one is even crazier because there's only females......that's right. No male Brunneria borealis whatsoever. Which means that these produce only parthenogenically.

Once again: Holy shit.


Brunneria borealis, common name Brunner's Mantis or Brunner's Stick Mantis, is a species of praying mantis native to the Southern United States. It is only species known to reproduce solely through parthenogenesis; there are no males.

Similar to Grass Mantid, but has distinctive fine serrations along sides of thorax, is larger, and reproduces by parthenogenesis; males are unknown. Thick antennal base characterizes this species. Wings reduced-flightless.

Sweet Jesus! What has the world come to? I love them even more now and I didn't think that was possible. And now the reason why they're being celebrated:

Today I was reunited with their song. In other words there's this song about them that I grew up with and is very important to me. I was trying to find it in it's entirety and today I was successful. Thank you God.

Oh and please note that in this song it mentions the "typical" mantis life cycle.

I'm A Fierce Hunter

I have a slender body I'm known for praying arms
If you are a beetle you might become alarmed.
For if you come too close and I'm hungry for a snack
I'll quickly use my powerful arms and then I will attack

Who Am I? Can you find me in a tree?
My color camouflages well against green leaves
Who Am I? A praying mantis that is me
I'm A Fierce Hunter other insects would agree

In early Spring I push and wiggle through an egg case
With lots of other siblings I'm feeling out of place
We all remain attached by two fine silk threads
Until we free our legs as the membrane we now shed

Now that I am growing strong I have an apatite
For moths and bees and butterflies I hunt them day and night
I grow throughout the summer my exoskeleton I shed
I sit upon a branch as my wings I now outspread

Who Am I? Can you find me in a tree?
My color camouflages well against green leaves
Who Am I? A praying mantis that is me
I'm A Fierce Hunter other insects would agree

I'm swollen with eggs as autumn slowly draws near
I patiently await for a male mantis to appear
My partner doesn't know that my supper he will be
For when we finish mating I will eat my company

It's my turn to lay my eggs and make an egg case
A sturdy branch will keep my babies nice and safe
My life is now complete as the fall wind starts to blow
Next spring my baby mantises will begin to grow

Who Am I? Can you find me in a tree?
My color camouflages well against green leaves
Who Am I? A praying mantis that is me
I'm A Fierce Hunter other insects would agree

Download: Clicky!

Info Credits: Wikipedia and Bugguide

More Bugs!

We had more invasions today!

June beetle ( I think it was if I find it again I'll make sure I get a good look at it )
2 flies
And the wasp I mentioned yesterday. Hopefully it's gone now. XD

Wasp Invasion

Ladies and gents

I have a wasp in my house....

And Idk what do to. I have always said that I NEVER wanted a wasp in this house and the bastards had to go and break the rule....

I should be thankful it's just one.

She's by the light in the hallway having a grand old time.

I think it's a mud dauber of some sort. That's the only thing I can think of. The only other wasp that even remotely fits the "discription" is a potter wasp of some sort. God I'm a mess. It's all black from what I can see ( don't see any stripes ) and it has a "waist". So it's one of the 2 ( potter or mud dauber ).

Now I hope that no bees get in here.....cause if that happens the bee isn't going to stick to the lights it's going to go wondering around the house.....

.....which means we're screwed. Hell I just realised that if we don't somehow get this wasp out of the house soon we're screwed anyway because I can't get into my room or the bathroom and my mom can't get into hers because all the doors are closed ( for good reasons ). I'm actually kinda scared now....

So here comes the age old question: What do I do? I've considered almost everything:

Plans To Get Rid of The Waspie:

Kill it without getting stung

♡ Somehow get it away from the light and smash it

♡ Somehow get it away from the light and spray it

♡ Let the heat eventually do it in?.....

Catch it without getting stung

♡ Somehow get it away from the light and catch it ( we just managed to do this but then I got stupid )

♡ Lord have mercy and DO NOT allow us ( mommy and me ) to get stung

So you can see our dilema on this? I'll get back to you. We're in the process of trying to get it out. I almost had it but as I said I got stupid ( scared is more like it ) and it got away. Truth be told I think I scared it trying to smash the SOB against the wall.

Idk wth I was thinking on that one. I'm very tired. I shall let you know when the wasp is out of the house one way or the other.

Honestly what's next? First butterflies, caterpillars, beetles, moths, and now wasps!

Byeeeeee ( for now )!

BUGS!

I just got back from the park and I saw all of these:

13-14 Red Admiral Butterflies
3-4 Cabbage Whites
Numerous Eastern Carpenter bees
A Cuckoo bee? ( Green metallic bee of some sort )
Honey bee? ( maybe )
Plant bug
Carpenter bee ( Xylocopa sp. )

All of these made my day especially the butterflies. I got close to 3 of them and they were breathtaking.

Thank you God! I needed this.

ɛïɜ

Blue Banded Bee - Amegilla cingulata

*.*

I love them. They are so cute. I wonder if these could be related to my mystery bee.

Certainly is a possibility.

Amegilla cingulata, commonly known as the blue banded bee, is an Australian native bee. It belongs to the Anthophoridae family of insects.

Currently, there are several scientific organisations conducting thorough research on how the blue banded bee benefits agriculture through its distinctive "buzz pollination". These bees are very important for the production of food and contribute to at least 30% of crops in Australia.

A. cingulata has a very striking appearance. Unlike the honeybee, it has pale blue stripes on its abdomen instead of yellow. The male can be distinguished by the number of complete bands, having five as opposed to the females' four.

In size, A. cingulata can grow to 10–12 millimetres (0.39–0.47 in). Its appearance includes a golden brown head with bulging eyes that have multiple lenses. They have six sticky legs and a long tongue to help extract nectar from flowers. Scientists believe that male bees have brighter blue stripes to attract female bees.

Blue banded bees can sting but are not as aggressive as other bees. The males cling to plant stems during the night. Like the whole anthophoridae family, they are quick and agile. They are solitary creatures, whereas honeybees create hives.

A. cingulata builds a solitary nest, but often close to one another. It prefers soft sandstone to burrow in, and areas of this type of rock can become riddled with bee tunnels.

Banded bees also tend to nest in burrows, dried up river banks, old clay homes and in mortar between bricks. Cells at the end of tunnels contain an egg with a pollen/nectar mixture for emerging larvae.

The rest of the info is here.

This also provides some nice photos.

Holy....

This makes me do two things:

1. Laugh my ass off at the "jokes" they put in there
2. Dread coming into contact with them even more

Don't say I didn't warn you.....Have a nice day! XD

Burrowing Bug Sehirus cinctus

Behold the true bug ( or bugs as there's a whole family of them ) that has very spiny legs making it look more like a cockroach or a beetle with those things ( the body structure helps too ).

But they're not and alot of people mistake them for beetles. Hell people mistake all Pentatomidae for beetles because the poor things ( people ) are too stupid to go and get an education. Well that's what I'm here for! To give you an education!

But me telling you how to tell a Pentatomid from an actual beetle will be for another post hopefully in the near future but since life's being a bitch again atm I might forget so I'll make a reminder. But for now we focus on the adorable little guy in the photo who I must say I want in a jam jar of sorts in this house for the day.

But I highly doubt that'll happen unless I went searching. Now there's quite an obvious reason why these ( and all it's other little friends ) are called burrowing bugs.

Yup that's right. They're commonly found in the soil......

.......making tunnels and things.

But this one is the rule breaker here. This one is the "exception" to the rule that "All burrowing bugs live in the soil making tunnels for various reasons" And with that we get to the info:

Hooray! *Cue "Nature documentary music"*

A small (4-7mm), shining blue-black insect is abundant in gardens and turf right now (May, 1998). It is Sehirus cinctus, a member of the burrowing bug family. Unlike most burrowing bugs (some of which can be agricultural pests in crops grown in sandy soils), however, Sehirus cinctus lives its life above ground, feeding on the developing seeds of mints and nettles. It is frequently seen feeding on henbit, a small mint plant and common weed in some lawns.

Despite its sometime alarming numbers, this tiny bug is not harmful and will not affect the growth or development of flowers.

Haha! You see! Rule breakers around ever corner! For every rule there is a rule breaker ( in this case Sehirus cinctus ), for ever rule there is an exception and for every exception there's an "exception breaker" which is why you should never assume that every rule in the insect world cannot be broken.

Because you'll just be proven wrong over and over and over again. I know as I speak from experience. But this is one of the reasons that I love the whole entomology thing because of this "rule breaking" thing it makes insects and their kin even more fascinating.

At least to me. Well I think I've done enough rambling for today. I think I needed to "vent" on something and this was it. Congratulations to me! :P

Until next time. Sorry for boring you this time but I tend to ramble sometimes.

Valley Carpenter Bee Xylocopa varipuncta

Top to bottom: Female, male.

The Valley Carpenter Bee - Xylocopa varipuncta

Oh there's a reason they put 'vari' in the name. Are you smart enough to figure it out? :P

On with the info ( cause I'm tired )!

The Valley carpenter bee, Xylocopa varipuncta, is one of three species of carpenter bee found in Southern California and north through the Central Valley. Females are a metallic black while males are fuzzy and gold with green eyes. They are the largest bees found in California, to around 1 in (2.5 cm) in length.

These large, hairy bees are named for the Central Valley in which they are commonly found, and for their ability to bury into, and make their nests in, hardwood and telephone poles. There are two other species of carpenter bee found in the same areas of California: Xylocopa tabaniformis orpifex and Xylocopa californica.

The size of carpenter bees prevents them from entering tubelike flowers, instead they cut into the base of the corolla. This is referred to as “stealing the nectar” as it does not result in the bee being able to pollinate the flower.

Only the females of the species have a stinger, and will only normally sting when provoked. The bees tunnel through wood with their mandibles, although they do not ingest the wood in the process.

The tunnels average 6 to 10 in (15 to 25 cm) in length and consist of a linear series of partitioned cells. They prefer untreated or unpainted wood. The adult bees spend the winter in the tunnels.

Well that's all for now until the next post.

Eastern Carpenter Bee Xylocopa virginica

One word: CUTE!!

And these are the ones we see every Spring/Summer along with the Honey bees and Yellow Jackets. Oh yes yes yes!

I love them. And this time Wikipedia provides info and LOTS of info. So much so that it's impossible to post it all and not bore you to death. Plus I'd like to have mercy on the people who are kind enough to read this thing.

I'd like to give them the choice of finding out more on them ( as in reading the rest of the info ) if they want to by posting links, instead of "forcing" it on them by posting the whole thing.

But enough of my rambling and on with the info please!

Nesting

Female carpenter bees make nests by tunneling into wood. They make an initial upward hole in an overhang, eaves trough, or similar structure. Then, they make one or more horizontal tunnels. The final nest usually resembles a T. Unlike termites, carpenter bees (also called woodcutters) do not eat wood.

They discard the bits of wood, or use them to make partitions (walls) inside the tunnels of their nests. The tunnel functions as a nursery for brood and the pollen/nectar upon which the brood subsists.

Males will visit flowers only to feed themselves, spending the rest of the time hovering in their territory and investigating any movement, or guarding flowers where they might encounter females . Females spend the majority of their time gathering nectar and pollen to provision their nests.

Because of their value as pollinators some people allow carpenter bees to stay around the home in the early spring, living with the cosmetic damage caused. In some fruit growing areas carpenter bee populations are encouraged by supplying them with suitable blocks or boards of soft wood.

I wonder if this is the same for every species? But that wouldn't make sense at least to me. Because even though they're about 500 species of Carpenter bees in 31 genera all of the Xylocopa sp. can't follow the same "nesting rituals" without any variation.

Wouldn't make sense. Unfortunately it seems to me that there isn't alot on most of the species with in the genera. I was lucky to find about 3.

Which I'll get to making post about for you all to enjoy. YAY! ^.^

Behavior

Carpenter bees are not solitary bees, but are not truly social either. The weak form of sociality they exhibit, with one female doing the majority of the work, and caring for her sisters, may be a transitional step in the evolution of sociality. However they tend to be gregarious, and often several will nest near each other.

Male eastern carpenter bees are curious and will investigate anyone, including humans, that comes near their nests. The curiosity is often interpreted as aggressiveness; however, the males are only aggressive to other male carpenter bees. They do not have stingers and cannot cause any real harm. The female carpenter bees tend to be busy with floral visitation and nest provisioning, but have the ability to cause a painful sting if captured.

Males spend many hours guarding their territory against other males, hovering about the nests for hours on sunny days. They sometimes attempt to mate with other insects or small birds.

An interesting trick to use to "move" a male carpenter bee out of the way is to pick up a small pebble (roughly the size of the bee), then toss it past the bee. They will attempt to chase it, distracting them for a few moments, long enough for a human to get by. However, since they cannot sting, and rarely accord any attention to humans, this is unnecessary.

Carpenter bees are strong fliers, capable of returning to their nests from some miles away, but not very agile. They tend to be clumsy, frequently almost crashing into the side of a wall or various trees and plants. On occasions, the bees will fly into old windows made of acrylic glass, as UV light can pass through it and the bee sees it as open.

Carpenter bees are not aggressive. Often, a carpenter bee preoccupied with something will not sting or flee when approached closely or even touched by a human, but merely raise one or two of its legs in the air instead.

The last part I refuse to try. Although from my personal experiences with them I've gotten close to them and they never tried to attack me.

They let me watch them do their daily things ( pollinate flowers ) in peace which is one of the reasons I love them so. The honey bees that were often with them were "friendly" too.

Very relaxed and calm. People underestimate these insects too much.

Rest of the info here. Enjoy!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

Wishing all the moms a good one!

Carpenter Bees! Xylocopa tabaniformis

This is Xylocopa tabaniformis.

And it is a carpenter bee. All that I could find out about this species is that there is a subspecies Xylocopa t. orpifex. Apparently there is nothing recorded on these 2 bees.

Why that is I don't have the slightest clue. But if I find anything I'll post it.

Isn't it cute? ^.^

Endangered Flies?

Yes. I never seem to think that there would be any fly species endangered partly because they're so adaptable. But what do I always say?

Never assume anything about the insect and spider world.

Never. You'll be proven wrong most of the time. This fly here is endangered and I wish I could do something to save it. But I can't atm as I don't have the credentials for such a thing. Hopefully someday I will.

Wikipedia provides some rather substantial info on Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis:

The Delhi Sands flower-loving fly (Rhaphiomidas terminatus abdominalis) is a mydid fly in the genus Rhaphiomidas, and the only fly presently on the Endangered Species List.

This subspecies is restricted to the Delhi Sands formation, an area of ancient inland dunes of which only a few hundred acres out of more than 40 square miles (100 km²) remain.

The rest largely now forming much or all of the foundation on which the towns of Colton, Fontana, and Ontario California are built. The adults are only active for a few weeks each year, feeding on flowers, in August and September.

This fly was emergency-listed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on September 23, 1993, and it has been an extremely contentious listing ever since. Political officials and news services from the region have repeatedly decried this fly as a disease-carrying pest, despite documentation that it is not.

There have been repeated attempts by local officials to have the species de-listed. Residential and commercial development, agricultural conversion, sand mining, invasion by exotic species, dumping of cow manure and trash, and off-road vehicle use have resulted in significant loss and modification of the species' habitat.

Estimates are that over 97% of the original habitat is already gone, and only a portion of what remains is suitable habitat for these flies.

I swear when I hear stuff like this I feel more and more ashamed of what we're doing. People need to get their act together and do something already.

Poor fly....Hang in there. The human species is despicable.

Bee Flies Villa sp.

A female Villa hottentotta.

This one is very brief. Practically nothing....but I felt I should post it anyway.

Villa is a genus of flies belonging to the bee-fly family (Bombyliidae). They range in size from 5 to 17 millimeters (0.20 to 0.67 in), and have typically rounded heads. The males of some species have a brilliant mat of silvery patagial scales.

Villa species are found on all continents except Antarctica. They can be distinguished from similar genera (Hemipenthes) by their wing venation.

Once again I'll be digging deeper to see if I can find anything else.

Bee Flies Dipalta sp.

Well I think congratulations are in order because this is the second bee fly that I've managed t find at least something on.

Later I'll dig even deeper into this genius and see if I can find anything else.

Dipalta is a genus of flies belonging to the family Bombyliidae (bee-flies). The genus is closely related to Villa.

Medium sized flies, with a conical face. and 3 marginal wing cells, on mottled wings with erratic wing vaination. Wing length 10-13mm, body length 9-10mm. Both species and very variable, Hull suggests there could be other species, or only one very variable one.

One species is from Mexico and the western United States. and the other from Virginia and Ohio. Adults are found on low growing flowers in desert areas. Larvae are parasitic on ant lions.

- Wikipedia

Again I need to dig deeper to see if I can find anything. I certainly hope I do.