SO FUNNY

I thought this was hilarious so I posted it. XD In case you're wondering the insect in the comic is fly. As for the flies in our house.......DIE!

Eh nothing entomologically interesting happened today. -_-

The Miniscule Series - The Mosquito in Honey & Flies With Spaghetti

LMAO! Can you imagine if mosquitoes were that strong?



These are the only flies that I will ever like ( I'm talking about Musca domestica and other flies commonly found in houses ).

So cute! As you can see you get 2 today. Your very welcome.

Download:

The Mosquito in Honey

Flies With Spaghetti

Enjoy! Until next time my pretties!!

These Damn Flies

No that's not disgusting. What's disgusting is the fact that we have too many and I haven't the slightest clue on where they're all coming from. We finally got screens but I still see them flying around the window! Like they're looking for a way in or something....

.....which they're probably are. And all the fly paper in the kitchen is covered in dead/dying Musca domestica. The bathroom is crawling with Musca domestica and they're starting to scare me now.....it's not even funny. It never was. First it was annoying.....and now they're scaring me.

I killed three but more got in. How? I'm going to close the other window until we some how get them all out because quite frankly this is ridiculous.

There was one in my room too. I don't think so. GTFO or die.

Mystery Solved?

I think I might've solved another mystery insect of mine. Quite a few times I've seen these moths in my house and I haven't a clue as to what they were.

But I got one. I believe that they might be Cutworms/Dart Moths of the genius Feltia. Unless of course there are other moths in Noctuidae that resemble the ones I have seen the most in this house. I will definitely check.

I will get back to you. In the mean time here's pics here. I will keep you updated on this of course ^.^

Whatever they are they are pretty.

Big Eyed Bug - Geocoris ugilinosus

I saw one today at the pool. Or at least I think it was this one it also might have been Geocoris atricolor too. Either way I saw a Big Eyed Bug Geocoris sp.

I love them. I think they're adorable. There doesn't seem to be info on them though, which is a shame because not only are they cute but they seem interesting. However this PDF mentions them being used to control Army worms.......

Interesting......so I'm guessing that that's one of their foods as nymphs. Don't know about adults though as I haven't read the whole thing yet.

Scroll down to page three and start reading on the left hand side.

Bugs I Saw Today:

♥ 1 Big Eyed Bug - Geocoris sp. ( at pool )
♥ 1 dragonfly
♥ 5 flies ( different species blue bottles, green bottles, Tachinids )

Until next time folks!

LOL WTF?

I have something to say on this. While black widows are extremely venomous and can be fatal they don't go out of their way to bite people. They only do so when they feel threatened. Secondly deaths are ( thankfully ) rare. Plus they're shy....awww ^.^

The worst you're likely to get if you're stupid enough to provoke one and get bitten is you'll get a very high fever, feel like shit, go to a doctor or whatever get the antidote and get better.

Of course symptoms are much more detailed but I don't feel good right now.

I'll explain them and provide linkies later ( expect an edit note containing info ).

Hermit Crabs

I FINALLY got some today. Thank you Allie!

God bless. And no they're nothing exotic. Just your regular Purple Pinchers. But they're just as cute as this one. I love them. ^.^

It's been way too long since I've had them in the house.

So I'm happy. Very happy.

The Miniscule Series - Dragonfly and Wasp In A Race

Once again Ultra Kawaii!!

Plus Karma's a bitch ain't it?

Download:

Dragonfly and Wasp In a Race

Your welcome!

Katydids!

I saw one today and I have to say I wasn't expecting that at all. It was a nice surprise. =) I believe it was a Microcentrum rhombifolium. Like the one in the photo. Only mine was a bit darker. There are 6 Microcentrum species in the U.S.

So of these so far I'm betting on M. rhombifolium being the one that I saw today. I have never seen Katydids that large over here before. I've seen plenty at camp sure but not here.

So like I said it was a pleasant surprise. As for info I can't find too much.

I'll keep looking though. One interesting fact is that Katydid eggs in general look like seeds. They take the camouflage thing very seriously don't they?

I'll let you know if I find anything on them.

The Miniscule Series - Dragonflies Bully Other Insects

I would love to see something like this in real life. XD

Download:

Dragonflies Bully Other Insects

Until next time my pretties!

Sleeping Bees?

Well as I was leaving the pool today I saw something rather interesting in the mini garden they have there. There were four bees clustered on a plant in a circle of sorts.

Now I've never seen such a thing so naturally I was wondering what they were doing. And now I'm pretty sure this is what they were doing. Cause first off the plant they were on was dead. Dead as a doorknob, as in there were no flowers no nothing.

I think I woke one up because I picked one of the seedpods off the plant to see if there was anything still inside it and the plant was dry it snapped like a gunshot when I picked one and one of the bees was startled and it flew off and was circling the plant before it landed and settled down again. So cute! ^.^

But that's what got me thinking that they were probably sleeping. I mean what else could they be doing you know? It was very interesting anyway.

As for what kind of bees they were....I can only guess. They were all black.

And very very cute. ^.^

Edit: They might be Melissodes desponsa.

Bugs:

4 bees ( possibly Melissodes desponsa )
1 picture wing fly
1 cucumber beetle ( Diabrotica undecimpunctata in my house)

Cute!

I thought this was cute. Auditioning for a circus perhaps?

Yes I think so......introducing the Physocephala balancing act!!

Copyright infringement not intended.

Mystery Butterfly.........

I saw a butterfly today at the pool flying.

I have no idea what it was. It could've been a monarch, red admiral, or any other orange butterfly that occurs around here.

Although I'm betting it was either a monarch or a red admiral or even a painted lady.

호랑나비?
작은멋쟁이나비?

....but the latter is most likely.

The Miniscule Series - The Lazy Bee

I've come to 2 scenarios and none of them involve the poor bee being lazy:

1. She's tired and doesn't want to be bothered with her "co-workers."
2. She doesn't like crowds.

Although she seems more tired to me.....

Download:

The Lazy Bee

Until next time my pretties!

These Are AMAZING!

I'm sure you remember the last Spilomyia species I briefly mentioned here yes? Well this one ( Spilomyia fuscata ) is mimicking the Baled Faced Hornet and if I didn't know better I would think it was one. Damn things are geniuses not to mention epic.

I couldn't find too much on any specific species but there's some on S. sayi:

Spilomyia sayi is a common species of North American hoverfly. It is a wasp mimic.

Adults 12-16 mm in length, are seen from June to October in the northern part of their range. Males engage in hilltopping, where they find high ground to await females. Larvae are found in decaying heartwood of deciduous trees.

This is from Wikipedia. There doesn't seem to be too much on them for some reason.

It's disappointing since I find these so fascinating. Happy August!

OMG! BEES!

Digger Bee ( Melissodes sp. ) Male

So I went to the park today again and let's just say that bug wise it was insane ( in a good way of course )! Today was simply crawling with bugs.

I'm honestly very happy. I have to send out a big THANK YOU to all my little friends.

Bugs!

7 Cabbage whites
1 Red Admiral ( 22 so far this year )
2 Honey bees
TONS of Digger bees ( Melissodes sp. So cute!! )
2 mystery flies ( have to find out what they are )
3-4 dragonflies ( 1 at park 2-3 at pool )
1 mud dauber wasp ( ? I think it was a mud dauber....idk )
TONS of Halictid bees
1 giant carpenter bee ( at pool )

Also a little question. While I was observing the digger bees pollinating flowers I noticed alot of males were not only drinking the nectar but they had pollen baskets and they were covered in pollen! What's up with that?

I've never heard of such a thing. I'd like to know why and what role they play in all of this. Apparently the males have more to do in this species then that of your "typical bee" where they bang the queen and then die. XD

I will definitely look into that and get back to you that's for sure. So for now I'm going info hunting and whatever I find you will be notified about.

Until next time my pretties! Enjoy this one!

The Miniscule Series - The Ugly Snail & Night of Horror

You get 2 today.



This is so cute.



This one got me all sentimental. XD I wanted to give the bee a big hug and some honey. ^.^

Download:

The Ugly Snail

Night of Horror

Your welcome! Until next time my pretties!!

Answers?

This is a Brachymeria sp. In other words it's the one I saw in my lobby only difference is that the one I saw was all black. Now if it's possible to narrow it down to species that would be nice.

I'll definitely keep looking as I would like to know more.

Bugs I saw today:

♥ 1 wasp ( ? ) at the pool
♥ 1 spider
♥ 1 lady bug ( just now flying around the light in the kitchen )
♥ 1 stink bug ( Halyomorpha halys possibly )

* At a time where I needed it the most. Thank you God.

I swear they follow me sometimes! ^.^ I'll keep you updated!

The Minscule Series - The Bee Prisoner

So cute!!

I can totally see something like this happening. ^.^

Download:

The Bee Prisoner

Until next time my pretties!

Chalcid Wasps

Isn't it cute?

I saw one similar to this one today crawling on one of the windows of the lobby. Idk what species it was or if it was even placed in a genius ( it most likely is known to science though ).

All I know is that it was A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E! *Happy Squee* ^.^

And for some reason I couldn't stop thinking about it and that has never happened before. Damn.....I think they might be brainwashing me....XD

That was the only bug I saw today but it was welcomed with open arms. Never mind the fact that they are parasites and lay their eggs in and on a number of insects and their eggs, larvae, and pupae. No completely ignore the fact. *Evil grin*

So it's quite unfortunate that there isn't alot on this family of wasps because they have some very pretty and interesting looking species.

I'm going to see if I can find out what species or genius the one I saw today is in.

Wish me luck! I'll let you know if I find anything!

Burrowing Bug Part 2 Melanaethus robustus

I saw one today. At the pool or rather in the pool.

I got it out alive and well. I'd like to know how it got in there though. They're capable of flight so I'm thinking it might've involved that somewhere along the line.

And here's a nice list of all the bugs I saw today:

♥ 2-3 Cabbage whites ( might've been the same one seen 3 times XD )
♥ 3-4 wasps ( European paper wasps or yellow jackets )
♥ 1 dragonfly
♥ 1 Burrowing Bug ( Melanaethus robustus I believe it was )

As usual no copyright infringement is intended.

Fly or Bee/Wasp?

Convincing isn't it?

Yeah this ain't no yellow jacket. It's a harmless fly. See here and you'll see more.

One in the photo is Spilomyia citima. More to come on these later.

Net-wing Beetles Calopteron reticulatum

Another fave. I have seen and held these beauties before. They are ( IMO ) so much fun. Believe it or not they're in the same family as fireflies. Yup.

Hell the larvae resemble Glowworms. Awesome! Found some info on Calopteron discrepans which apparently is closely related to C. reticulatum. Funny how the site never thought that C. discrepans might be a subspecies of C. reticulatum since they are so similar.

But it's also possible that I'm mistaken in this. But it's just one of my musings. I tend to over think on these things quite a bit. Bad habit....XD

Any way here's the linky: Clicky! It's very interesting.

Lycidae is a family in the beetle order Coleoptera, members of which are commonly called net-winged beetles.

Beetles of this family are elongated and usually found on flowers or stems. The adults of some species are nectarivores while some may have short-lived adult lives during which they may not feed at all.

The head is triangular and the antennae are long, thick, and serrate. Most of them are brick-red in colour. They are protected from predators by being toxic.

The predaceous larvae grow under bark or in leaf litter.

- Wikipedia ( Linky )

Bugguide also has some nice info. Apparently some moths mimic these because apparently they're distasteful to birds and whatnot.

I wonder ( if this is the reason ) what the beetles feed on to make them toxic?

Or if it's natural toxins.....? Eh too tired to think on it properly. Enjoy though. As usual no copyright infringement is intended.

Should probably head to bed now. XD

Spiders

Cheiracanthium inclusum ( photo duh :P )

It's occurred to me that I haven't done any entries on our eight legged friends in quite a while. I think it's time to rectify that don't you?

Yes I think so too. One mystery spider of mine has been ID'd completely by accident. Oh boy I'm happy about that. There's still a couple on my mind that need to have an ID to their "face" but all in good time. All in good time.

My mystery spider I saw in Morning Side rolled up in a leaf. That to me is the first give away. How many spiders do you know of that do that?

Not too many that I know of. Any way I've kept you long enough.

Long Legged Sac Spiders - Cheiracanthium sp.

I couldn't identify mine down to species but at least I know what kind it is. Also apparently there's been rumors and speculation that certain Cheiracanthium species are venomous. In other words poisonous enough to harm us

But there's been "evidence" against this which is mentioned on Bugguide on this page and this page on Cheiracanthium mildei. Since I don't know much about these I can't say much.

So I apologize. XD I'm going to get cracking on those articles soon.

This Is Insane

Can you imagine if something like this happened to us?

I'm not sure if I've posted this before or not. Forgive me if I did. XD

Geometridae

I found this nice site with list and info on all these different species of Geometridae:

CLICKY!

This is also going in my bookmarks. Enjoy!

Pretty

I thought this was pretty so I posted it. Found it while browsing on Bugguide. As usual no copyright infringement is intended. This is a Syrphid fly Sphaerophoria sp.

There are 16 species described, or in other words known to man. :P

That's about all that's known other then in order to identify on to species you have to have with you. Yes it's one of those bugs.

Well until next time kiddos!

Miniscule Series - The Ladybug and The Hungry Flies

Once again priceless. There's some truth to this. All flies think about are 3 things:

1. Get food......use whatever means necessary
2. Find a mate.....make more flies
3. Sleep....and don't get eaten!!

In other words NEVER trust the ladybug.....evil bastard. ^.^

Download:

The Lady Bug and The Hungry Flies

Until next time my pretties!!

BOTM - Halysidota Harrisii

I think it's time that I dedicate an entry to them.

I've had plenty of encounters with these over the years. I love them. I love all Halysidota sp. I've only seen one other Halysidota sp. Halysidota tessellaris and that was years ago.

These are just as variable H. tessellaris. They come in yellow, white, gray, or light tan-ish brown.

And they're all to die for. ^.^

The Sycamore Tussock Moth (Halysidota harrisii) is a species of moth of the Arctiidae family. It is found in South-Eastern Canada, the Eastern parts of the United States (but not Florida) and North-Eastern Mexico.

The wingspan is about 50 mm. The moth flies from May to June and from July to August depending on the location.

The larvae feed on Platanus occidentalis.

Did I mention that I love them to death? Yes? Ok good!

Bugs:

1 Eastern Tailed Blue
1 Cicada Killer
1 Geometrid ( ? ) Moth

Happy Birthday Mommy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOMMY!

Hope you had a nice one!

And the bugs I saw today:

♥ 1 Halysidota harrisii *adult* OMG! ( on terrace )
♥ 1 Harmonia axyridis ( on the ceiling in the hallway )
♥ dragonfly? ( the pool )

Halyisidota harrisii Count:

6 as of today. :P 5 larvae 1 adult

I didn't realize that I would be counting the adults too. *facepalm*

The Miniscule Series - The Bee Convoy

So this is what happened to all the "missing" honey......



.....oh this is priceless...^.^

Download:

The Bee Convoy

Enjoy my pretties! Until next time!

P.S. Finally went to the park today. I saw these:

♥ 1 orb weaver of some sort
♥ A bunch of carpenter bees
♥ 4 Cabbage whites

Was lovely out! I also finally had some sushi! YAY!

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!!