2011 Buggy Highlights And A Letter to Lepidoptera

As the last hour of 2011 begins I wanted to look back on the all the epicness that was 2011. And not just "ordinary epicness" I mean stuff that has been unusual:

July 8th 2011:

Pieris rapae mating fest and a appearance by my beloved Painted Ladies

I will never forget this for as long as I live. I thank you and I'll be sure to thank your grandchildren next year too by spoiling them rotten.

July 22nd 2011

Halysidota harrisii Tree Raid!! 5 in one day on one tree. E.P.I.C.!

July 26th 2011

First Lucanus capreolus sighting!! I honestly didn't think I'd ever see any type of stag beetle ever. Thank you!!

July 28th 2011

Account of 3 sightings of Hemaris thysbe!! *Don't remember actual dates....will edit later ^^

August 1st onward

CICADA MANIAAAAAA!!!!!

October 8th 2011

First visit to the NHM Butterfly exhibit I don't need to say any more on how E.P.I.C. this was. ♥

November 5th 2011

Second visit to my precious exhibit......♥

November 8th 2011

The last EPIC bughunt of the year Thank you to all my little friends thank you!!

December 24th 2011

Third visit to my precious.......♥

And earlier in the year (dates are escaping me atm) there were the wasp invasions. Those were thrilling!!

A Letter To Lepidoptera:

To my Fluttering diurnal & nocturnal friends:

You have been exceptional this year. As I sit here writing this while listening to your Anthem I'm extremely thankful for your presence this year. From the Pieris rapae mating fest and my holding Vanessa cardui again after all those years at a time where I needed the most to the mystery moths coming through and Monarchs and Cloudless sulphers popping up in all the strangest places.

To the Eastern Comma mass that came this spring....to the gorgeous black female tiger swallowtail that had me running through the fields trying to get a better look.......to the caterpillars.....Ohhhh the fuzzy and green bundles of adorableness.....to the mysteries of the Celastrina and the Hemaris thysbes and last but not least finally laying my eyes on Actias Luna *Nostalgic warm happy fuzzy sigh* I love you and want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You have been wonderful. I look forward to seeing you again next year. I'll be waiting! God bless



10-08-11

THANK YOU!

A Field Guide To The Insects of Morningside Park Part 2

What I believe to possibly be a female (?) of a Pachydiplax longipennis but I don't recall them having orange stigmata or orange spots on their abdomens (above obviously). Can anyone confirm?


Continued from this entry.

Butterflies & Moths Lepidoptera:

56. 'Leaf Miners' *Various families and or species Larva observed suspending itself from silk from a crabapple tree (Malus sp.) 11-08-11

Flies Diptera

57. Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
58. Hoverfly (Allograpta sp.) * More then likely more then one species occurs here too. Very difficult to ID to species.....need micro camaras/lenses

Beetles Coleoptera:

59. Red-ish Brown Stag Beetle (Lucanus capreolus)
60. Scarites subterraneus *Possibly S. quadriceps or S. vicinus

Spiders

61. Jumping Spider (Phiddipus audax)? * Or something similar?

Miscellaneous:

62. Woodlice (Porcellio spinicornis)
63. Slugs *Will try and ID to species Expect an edit
64. Springtails

Once again the list will change/get updated.

Mystery Danaid Butterfly Danaus vulgaris?

The spots were light blue obviously. ^^;; Lighting is all wonky on this one. Sorries. ^^;;;

Ok what is this? I've just been reminded that there's a thousand and one butterflies with in Danainae under different genera that are like this. Commonly called "Blue Tigers" "Glassy Wings" etc.

Cyren had suggested this could also be a Blue Glassywing (Danaus vulgaris) after I had thought it was Tirumala limniace but looking now again I don't think so....unless T. limniace is sexually dimorphic as they're photos of similarly patterned specimens listed with that name.

I'm confused. Yet another group of butterflies that needs a freaking identification guide. Any volunteers? Aaah yes you there! Get cracking!! :P

But seriously?! Here's a video of one among Julias (Dryas iula) and other assorted epicness:



Does this help with ID?

Observations:

Quite a few of these. Made me quite happy to see them. One landed on my head. Yes I have pics but I'm shy. ^^;; Maybe later. I had asked which of the Blue Tigers this was and was told "Common Tiger" or something of the sort.

I'm still stumped. Also searching various species (within different genera REMEMBER this for later entries) I have to wonder how the hell do they tell them apart let alone the gender?!! 0_0

Yes I'm very very confused......Help! >_<

Heliconius erato.......Which one?

Heliconius (Tithonia) terrancina or H. hecale & Heliconius erato.........? *something*

Can anyone tell me which erato this is? It's the blue white and red one (the wings are metallic blue). When I asked the staff had told me it was Heliconius erato. No one knew anything beyond that.

If anyone knows please tell me. I love this one. It's the color of the American flag........me likey! I didn't see too many of these.....I think there was only one.

Will be asking around. Someone. Needs. To. Write. A. Book.!

The staff had suggested (when I complained on the apparent lack of literature on the Heliconiidae) that I should write said book. OMG! I'm flattered. And if the opportunity presents itself I would do it in a heart beat.

Problem is though is that I'm not "authorized" to do such a thing. I mean don't you have to have permits and certain "credentials"? Plus education and said proof of education?

I don't have that. I never went to go make this insanely advance hobby of mine "official" because I wouldn't know where to begin to look around here. But like I said.......if the opportunity came knocking......

곤충학!

나비목:

네발나비과 Nymphalidae
뱀눈나비과 Satyridae
부전나비과 Lycaenidae
뿔나비과 Libytheidae
팔랑나비과 Hesperiidae
호랑나비과 Papilionidae
흰나비과 Pieridae
표방나비과/표방나비아과 Heliconiidae/Heliconiinae

*Note the suffixes: -dae (과) -nae (아과)

왕나비아과 Danainae
줄나비아과 Limenitidinae
모르포나비아과 Morphinae

FUN! 어떤 재미~~~^^♥

NHM Butterflies: Ulysses/Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses)

Papilio ulysses.......this one's wings are a lighter shade of blue.....variation or subspecies?

After my last observation of this species (it was dead poor thing) I had hope that I would get to see a live one on one of my next visits. I didn't think it would be the next visit that I got my wish but it was. =)

And let me tell you something. I must stress that pictures DO NOT do these butterflies justice no matter how breathtaking the photo it's 1,000,000,000,000 times better in person to see them. I thank God for such wonderful exhibits containing such epicness.

Observations:

Everyone was chasing after this thing like Moby Dick. I cannot stress to you how happy I was to see this fluttering around (they're FAST) the place as if saying "Look at me look at me!" "Try and catch me suckers! Mwahahahaha!" I had tried getting pictures of it but it was impossible.

This beauty must've had Lepidopteran ADHD because it would not stay still for too long. Any disturbance and it was off fluttering like mad looking gorgeous doing so. It's also a very good hide and go seek player because after a while it "disappeared".



B.e.a.u.t.i.f.u.l!

And why in the world does my voice sound higher on camera? >_< Anywho. It had also landed on my hand for a few seconds before it took off again. It's beautiful.......beyond beautiful.

I look forward to going back......♥

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I hope you all have a great one. Mine was absolutely perfect. It makes me happy to know I brought joy to people I love.

God bless you all. ♥

A Very Lepidoptery Christmas

Tirumala limniace? Need confirmation......similar looking species within different genera.....ouch headache! >_<

I went again today as a Christmas present to myself. *^^* And once again had epic observations of epic specimens. I took tons of photos/videos and I think I may have a possible answer to my mystery Mechanitis butterfly.

I had also tried to go to their research library to do obvious research but they're closed on Sundays. :( Must find out exactly when they're open as no one told me about it being closed on Sunday........WTF?!

And Donna (one of the staff who told me the name of my Memphis butterfly) is in on Mondays I think we all know when my next visit will be.....^^♥ And the Saturniids start coming in in January! *.* So January & March get the most visits then apparently?

I'm dying to lay my eyes on my Actias luna again......♥

New Additions:

1. Autumn Leafwing (Doleschallia bisaltide)
2. Indian Leafwing (Kallima paralekta)
3. Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes)
4. Magnificent Owl (Caligo atreus)
5. Heliconius (Tithonia) terracina
6. Heliconius erato *New form/hybrid/subspecies
7. Ulysses, Blue Mountain Swallowtail (Papilio ulysses) *Landed on me for a few seconds
8. Mechanitis polymnia
9. Cruiser (Vindula dejone)
10. Blue Tiger (Tirumala limniace)?
11. Clearwing *Species/Genus unknown

I think there were more but right now I can't remember. ^^;; Observations will be posted later along with some epic videos.

Yay!

Random Photos

Love the colors. Giant Swallowtail (Papilio cresphontes) 12-24-11 NHM Butterfly Exhibit



Female Hypolimnas bolina (I think) and Papilio aegus (Female) 10-08-11 NHM Butterfly



Parides sp. 11-05-11Lots of these (different ones) on all 3 visits. I wonder if it's possible to narrow this one down to species? Will ask around.

A faster way for me to share photos. *^^* More will be coming!

*Speechless*

"I might leave very soon I might soar through the air weave a golden cocoon hung with silk fine and fair I might leave this behind all this glitter and shine and go far from the star of the show...."

You see this? I'm.......I'm speechless right now. This is the cocoon of Urodus parvula The Bumelia Webworm Moth....This oozes sentimentality right now. I'm getting all warm and fuzzy right now. It's the most gorgeous.....no it's beyond......holy shit I can't think right now. I'm on a Lepidopteran high.

Unfortunately once again nothing is known on the biology of these moths but I will be researching them and Webworms in general (I now understand where their name comes from. I wonder if other species make such gorgeous cocoons?).

For those wondering about the quote at the beginning of the post.....they're lyrics to one of my most favorite songs in the world. It's from "Star of The Show" from the soundtrack to A Bug's Life I'm listening to it right now....It's got my childhood (I'm 19 so technically I'm still a "child" :P) memories of my lepidopteran friends plus the movie all over it.

It makes me feel peaceful and during my research when I stumbled upon the photo I was rendered speechless. That photo practically depicts the entire song (which if you haven't guessed by now is about a moth :P)!

To quote it again:

"Safe and warm I was born in a beige colored coat that I traded for wings built to dazzle and float...."

Sweet Jesus........I'm all Idk how to describe it. Peaceful would be best. God bless you Lepidoptera God bless you.......ɛïɜ

Books! (Lepidoptery Buggy Goodness) ♥

Marpesia sp. I think.....^^;;

Working on expanding my collection. Amazon has epicness in droves and it shall all be mine! I'm thinking Belated Xmas/Early B-day gifties for sure.

Note that this is just so I can have a more organized (Emma would faint if she saw this ^^;; I'm least organized person in the world :P) view of sorts of what I'm saving up for. Hell even my Amazon wish list is a mess. ^_________^

Just got done making a new one for all my butterfly necklaces (yes I ♥ them so much I want them in my jewelry too). Now on with it!!

Lepidopteran Goodies:

The Butterflies of Costa Rica Philip J. Devries

The Butterflies of Costa Rica and Their Natural History Vol 1: Papilionidae, Pieridae, Nymphalidae ISBN-10: 0691024030 ISBN-13: 978-0691024035

The Butterflies of Costa Rica and Their Natural History Vol 2: Riodinidae ISBN-10: 0691028907 ISBN-13: 978-0691028903

↑ I could've sworn there was a third one........>_<

Butterflies in General

The Butterflies of the Malay Peninsula A. Steven Corbet, H.M. Pendlebury ISBN-10: 9839681052 ISBN-13: 978-9839681055

The Butterflies of Hong Kong (A Volume in the AP Natural World Series) M.J. Bascombe ISBN-10: 0120802902 ISBN-13: 978-0120802906

Field Guide To The Butterflies of South Africa Steve Woodhall ISBN-10: 1868727246 ISBN-13: 978-1868727247

Living Butterflies of South Africa Vol 1 Stephen F. Henning ISBN-10: 1919766030 ISBN-13: 978-1919766034

↑ Amazon AFAIK doesn't seem to have the second volume. Damn. I'll keep my eyes open obviously.

The Book of Indian Butterflies Isaac Kehimkar ISBN-10: 0195696204 ISBN-13: 978-0195696202

Butterflies of The World: Over 5000 Butterflies in Full Color H.L. Lewis ISBN-10: 0517481650 ISBN-13: 978-0517481653

The Butterflies of North America: A Natural History & Field Guide James A. Scott ISBN-10: 0804712050 ISBN-13: 978-0804712057

↑ Do you know tempted I am to get this right now? Nooo I have to restrain myself. Must. Save. Up. More. Money......

Ok I have to stop listing now.....I'm getting itchy to buy......gotta wait until I have more money saved up only a few more days if my plans come into play.......ooooh damn it I want them nooow!

Toodles!

The Jumping Cockroach: Saltoblattella montistabularis

Hell it even look like a cricket/immature grasshopper!

Ladies and Gentleman,

They can run, they can fly, some are pest, and back in prehistoric times they could also jump. Well guess what? They're baaaack! Yes the jumping cockroaches have apparently "resurfaced".........in South Africa to be exact.

They were discovered earlier this year in Capetown, Table Mountain National Park in the grasses with an apparent taste in grasshopper poop among other things. I wonder if they get there super jumping powers from eating grasshopper poop.

This just gets better and better. I love it when they discover new things. Makes me happy. Now on to business. The info! First a video so you can get a lovely image of these things in action:



Female Saltoblattella montistabularis Definitely thinking they're getting something eating that grasshopper poop. ^^ Original Youtube linky: Clicky here!
Said Youtube link also provides tons of info from 2 articles in the description box. There's also:

The Huff Post
National Geographic

They never cease to amaze me insects.......♥ Will be researching these further later. I have posts to fill in!

Nesting Behavior of Abispa ephippium

For Azudo, I hope this clears something up.

I had come across the same article I had linked to on this entry which is broken now so I found it again (they must've moved the article at some point) and did a brief read through of it. The article mentions that the entire genus of Abispa (6 species total) is restricted to Australia and New Guinea.

Said article that mentions this is here. The article article also mentions another wasp Pseudabispa paragioides that they:

In morphology, coloration, and size, Pseudabispa wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae: Eumeninae) closely resemble mason wasps in the genus Abispa, and their distributions overlap. Although these two genera are among the largest solitary wasps in Australia, the biology of Pseudabispa was not previously known. Field observations from near Katherine, Northern Territory, strongly suggest that P. paragioides (Meade-Waldo) females attack and kill female A. ephippium (Fabricius) and usurp their nests, then appropriate cells, mass provision them with caterpillars acquired by theft from still other nests, and close them with mud taken from the host nest.

Taken from here when a brief "Google raid" was done on them for information also. I will do even more research on these (because they're both fascinating as hell) and give both articles a proper read through at a saner time (It's 1:30AM as I type this).

Apparently Pseudabispa paragioides also occurs in Australia and overlaps with A. ephippium. So Azudo it is possible that you also might be seeing P. paragioides. Idk I would need a picture. To quote you:

"So where did you find this info. i,ve been researching these creatures for days now and i can't find much on them. the reason is that these creatures are not supposed to live in southern vistoria yet i have one nesting in my front yard and she 's about 3 inches long. any info would be appreciated"

-Azudo

What makes you think that these (Abispa ephippium) are not "supposed" to occur where you live? Is there a reference that also mentions them not occuring there?

Southern Victoria is in Australia. Nothing I have found mentions them not being there. They just mention both Abispa and Pseudabispa occurring in Australia and that Pseudabispa will overlap with Abispa. So far I have seen nothing mentioning exactly where in Australia these wasp occur.

Will need more info and if possible anything you've found during your three days of research. =)



Pseudabispa paragioides (top) and Abispa ephippium They look so much alike except for coloring and size. Startling that P. paragioides goes only for A. ephippium nests exclusively.....

Photo is from the first article. This is used elsewhere too. Don't blame them. It's impressive. Apparently (according to the first article I linked to) the A. ephippium being attacked by The Evil Twin (as I'm now calling P. paragioides) died shortly after.

Poor baby......=(



Pseudabispa paragioides

Will read about these more in depth later. Must get some rest. I hope that this has helped somewhat. I'll try and see if I can pinpoint exactly where in Australia both of these wasps naturally occur and if they're prone to stray.

Could use more of your in point on this too if you don't mind. =)

Scarites subterraneus

The very unique defensive posture of Scarites subterraneus Photo from Bugguide.

This took a bloody century to positively ID based on sheer photographic memory. Mind you I had never seen anything like this before that I can remember. It's very distinctive indeed. I had gone back and forth between several genera of ground beetles (Scarites ironically being the first choice but the angle of the photo had given me doubts and led me to search elsewhere) i.e Pasimachus.

Must've searched pretty much all my books on North American Insects until I wanted to pull my hair out. XD But then looking at another photo of Scarites subterraneus in another one of my books I properly decided to search (more like violate) the internet and found more photos thus "securing" my ID on the little bugger...........

.........that is until Bugguide had so kindly came up with yet another species (Scarites quadriceps) that's insanely similar to S. subterraneus that the only way to tell them apart other then by size is to look at the antennomeres for the difference between the 2.......

Are. you. freaking. kidding. me.?

Oohhh hooo it gets better. Just now after a brief perusal of Bugguide's Scarites guide page in general has led me......more like force me to consider it being one of 2 other species: S. quadriceps or S. vicinus because as stated above you can't ID these beetles with the "naked eye" so to speak.

Someone shoot me. However for now I'm sticking with Scarites subterraneus because the other have no info on them at all whatsoever. And I need info to narrow it down. At least I know definitely that S. subterraneus occurs in NY........I live in NY. *^^*

One question though that might help with narrowing down ID. Bugguide seems to be unsure of the season that S. subterraneus occurs in and lists "Summer?" underneath the season they're supposedly seen in.......

I found mine (assuming it's most definitely S. subterraneus) in November on a beautiful fall day that felt like Spring/Summer.

What's going on? Also mine had adopted said defensive posture when I picked it up....I had thought it was dead at first but then regained my common sense back ^^;;;; It was found under a rock surround by tons of leaf litter.

What's going on here? @_@

The Sesiidae Sessiions--Using Pheromones to attract Clearwings

Yellow-legged Clearwing (Synanthedon vespiformis)

Came across this today. I'm amazed right now. I had no idea you could do this. I wonder if this is doable with other moth species. While I'm not entirely sure that we have any species of Sesiidae over here (Central Park most definitely) I have seen 2 Hemaris thysbe (Sphingidae) this year which shocked me.

I wonder, should they return in larger numbers this coming year (please do so! I ♥ U *^^*) I want to experiment with this. I'm also wondering could I get pheromones of other species? Being that I have no clue what moth species reside in my beloved park I have to really do some thinking here.

Any ideas? All of this Sesiidae research has led to more epic books. See here!

Pieridae Wonders: Blue Albatross (Appias celestina)

Blue Albatross (Appias celestina) Previously Pieris celestina Boisduval 1832 *Is wondering about the 'Catophaga' in parentheses* Perhaps another taxonomic change had taken place somewhere?

These are delightful! Can't seem to find any live photos. From the few that showed up from preserved specimens I want a live photo. I mean how many blue members of Pieridae do you hear about everyday (yes there are others)?

Exactly none. It's "unheard" of. But you see I should've at least expected it being that I know of the Jezebels and their insane hindwing patterns and the other insanely colored Pieridae (will get into just how insane another time......soon). I should've expected to come across blue ones.....at least in part.

But nope. *^^* Love it when that happens. This is from my research. And there's also this. Again I want a freaking LIVE photo of one. I want to see them in their prime.

Aaaah someday hopefully someone will capture one.

♥More Butterflies♥

Various Morphos. I wonder if Morpho polyphemus luna is in here? I'll get a good look when I go back. *^^*

I'm forever grateful for this place. As you might've noticed I've been on a Lepidopteran Junkie High. It started when I first walked in on opening day (the 8th of October) and has been continuous on and off ever since.

Throughout all of this. I've fallen in love with lepidoptera "again". I've always loved them but this year.......they've been there for me in various ways when I needed them the most. They have been epic this year and I thank The Creator for them immensely.

God bless you Lepidoptera.......♥ I hope that next year will be filled, invaded, "contaminated", infested, and taken over by your breathtaking presence. It's already proving it's potential with National Moth Week and the knowledge of "Secret" Butterfly Gardens in Central Park.

Good Lord I can't wait! You shall hear even more from me as I'm researching and learning more and I still have more photos to show you. 0_0 Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Mystery Butterfly #1

Heliconiidae?

This is all I can guess. I have no idea what this is. This was one of the newly released ones.



Simply gorgeous.



Little fuzzy. *^^* If anyone knows what this is let me know. Taken at the NHM Butterfly Exhibit 11-05-2011.

NHM Butterflies: The Great Mormon (Papilio memnon)

Male Great Mormon (Papilio memnon) along with a mystery butterfly that I had not noticed until after I uploaded the photo. ^^;; Can you see it?

Yet another insanely sexually dimorphic Swallowtail. Smh......The females have numerous forms, with and without tails and mimic other poisonous Swallowtails. Someone needs to write a book on these too. All of them. Thing is there are books on Swallowtails and I'll be buying them ASAP after I get some other books out of the way......but there needs to be one solely on the sexually dimorphic Papilionidae.

They need to have like an identification guide or something for all the different forms the females of various species take, what they mimic, and how to tell the difference.

Is there anything like this already out there? Names and Authors please if so.

Now on to business!



Idk why this came out so dark.....>_< Male

Great Mormon (Papilio memnon):

Observations:

TONS of males flying and perching around this one plant (see first photo) looking stunning. I now wonder why this was so? Was this just something that happened because of being "enclosed" (it's a big place so excuse my lack of proper words) in an area or is this a natural male behavior of some sort like puddling?

The last one I remember seeing & photographing is the one that was perched on one of the feeders looking absolutely stunning. Again photos DO NOT do any of these justice as they're details that cameras sometimes don't capture unfortunately.

One day I'll look into micro cameras should I ever get the money to do so. Lottery tickets perhaps? >:)

For this there will be a part 2 since I've made some very interesting discoveries!

Out With a Bang + Crittercams!

Since today was absolutely gorgeous out I went to my beloved park and was greatly rewarded with an epic bughunt. I saw sooo many of my little friends it was shocking.

I simply am in awe. I got what I'm calling crittercams. Lookie:



Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) A new one to add to the ever growing list (expect a part 2 on that) of buggaboos in that epic park of mine. =)

Along with that gorgeous fly I saw these:

1 Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) Oh. My. God. *Speechless*
Honeybees, More Droneflies, a mix?
Earthworms
1 Mystery green "worm" RESEARCH!
Aphids (1 black aphid) in their maiden flights
1 slug
1 queen red ant *Held it and attempted to get a video but it was waayy to blurry
1 millipede
1 Scarites subterraneus * Took a bloody century to nail an ID on this one. More later
1 Springtail *first thought it was a proturan or a dipluran but I'm pretty sure now it's a Springtail of some sort
Woodlice! (Porcellio spinicornus)



Woodlice (Porcellio spinicornus) There were tons of these. When I lifted the rock they had all more or less scattered like roaches. Hilarious. ^^

Today was a masterpiece. It felt like spring......♥ It was like they were all saying bye for the year or something. So sweet. They were out much later this year. You have no idea how grateful I am for that. Butterflies and other assorted creepy crawlies in November?!

Congratulations you've set a record. Let's see if you can top it next year!! I love you! ♥

NHM Butterflies: Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima)

Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima) Sorry for the fuzziness. *^^*

Such beauties. Remind me of the Admirals (Limenitis sp.). I know nothing on these so further research later will have to take place. But that's for later. ^^

These were identified as "Black Peacocks" I wonder where that name came from because Googling with that name came up with nothing. I had to use the scientific name. Smh.....



This was one of the newly released ones. He/She headed straight for my jacket more or less. How sweet! I guess it liked the color? I don't blame you it' s a nice shade of green indeed. *^^*

Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima):

Observations:

The first one in the first photo was perched on some flowers and I managed to get 2 pictures and get an ID as I didn't know what it was at the time only that I've seen pictures before. *^^* The one on my jacket was one of many butterflies being released and there were several of them in the mix. One head straight for my jacket. =)

I managed to get videos of the butterflies (in general) being released now I just have to figure out how to post them since Youtube is not an option (site's not working for me Idk why).

I'll get back to you on that one. More entries to be worked on!!

NHM Butterflies: Green Banded Swallowtail (Papilio phorcas)

Green Banded Swallowtail (Papilio phorcas) This was the only photo I could get. *^^* I wanted one with the wings open but it was being stubborn. XD

Gorgeous gorgeous species. While I was doing my research on these I've "learned" that this may or may not be another sexually dimorphic species (one site say "yes" and has pictures of the supposed female and the other says "no") and that it's related to Papilio dardanus (Wikipedia).

There are also numerous subspecies too. They're gorgeous swallowtails.



What the upperside looks like. Photo obtained while Googling. Supposedly this is the male. I still have to figure this out. But in the mean time....

Observations:

Mine was over by some of the feeders flying around and looking stunning. It was also over flying under the heater lights (*Note this is not the only butterfly to do this either)! At this point it was acting more like a moth then a butterfly. I wanted to get a video but that was impossible. ^^;; too fast and it was everywhere. ^____^

It had landed on my hand for a few epic seconds as if to say "Hello to you too" and then proceeded to go only God knows where. Was mistaken for Papilio ulysses by the staff at first. ^^.. How cute! Nooo. P. ulysses is much larger. About the size of P. glaucus....but I think larger then that too as the one I observed was big.*^^*

Unfortunately the one I observed was no longer in the physical realm but it was beautiful nonetheless. I do hope to see one someday though. That's another story for another entry. *^^*

Upon my research of these butterflies I have found things about them and Papilionidae in general that's making me fall in love with them. ♥

Linkies:

Butterfly Corner *This is the one where it says there's no sexual differences between males and females
Nyungwe Lepidoptera Diversity Project *Supposedly has a picture of a female. Looks nothing like the male

I'd like to know what the hell's going on here with this? The Wikipedia article used the same photo of the supposed female too but mentions nothing on them being sexually dimorphic. Only mentions range and subspecies.

I'd like to know where the first site got the info that there aren't any sexual differences......

Will be asking around about this.

NHM Butterfly Exhibit Expedition #2

Ohhhhh my God they had Graphium weiskei!! I was always under the impression that these were larger. Beautiful! © Brittanie McCormack 2011

As you can see I went again today. *^^* On BoA's birthday too of all days. ♥ Got tons of photos...around 30 something this time.

On top of that I have new butterflies to research and do entries on at some point (I'm still behind in filling in for October I've been "distracted" with all this research). Upon my second visit to the Gates of Heaven I've learned even more.

I cannot wait to visit again but I have bigger and badder things to save up for (Actias luna cocoons, books, nets, etc). I'll be going after I get my precious (A. luna) sorted out. I got about half done so far.

So happyyyyy

Observations:

A Heliconius erato had landed on me twice.........the same one too within an hour(s) period I believe. I swear it's like they know....♥ I'll never get tired of saying this either. My face was "raped" by what I believe was a Charaxes solon. These are very bulky butterflies. It felt like I was holding a grasshopper!

The only thing I could think of besides it just being a very heavy butterfly was that the one I observed was gravid.......but it didn't look it at all. Hmmmmm.......No Saturniids this time but I did find out that the best time to see them there is in March towards Spring. ♥

I already have planned dates:

March 1st (My B-day I'll be 20....Holy shit!)
March 20th (First day of Spring)

And anything in between that. *^^*

New Additions:

1. Green Banded Swallowtail (Papilio phorcas) *Landed on me for a brief minute fluttering like mad as if to say "Hello" *^^*
2. Banded Peacock (Anartia fatima) *Was identified as a "Black Peacock" saw several of these held a newly released one.
3. Great Mormon (Papilio memnon) *Several males flitting around the same plant
4. Common Mormon (Papilio polytes)
5. Red/Malay Lacewing (Cethosia biblis) *Female being released
6. Great Southern White (Ascia monuste)
7. Charaxes solon? *Or something similar
8. Cracker (Hamadryas sp.)

Let the research/blogging begin!

Spiders!

Tutelina elegens my mystery iridescent jumping spider. *^^* Photo from Bugguide.

Mystery Solved!

God it pleases me so to say that. I love it when I get a mystery and then solve it. 2 more excuses for me to ramble, rant, analyze, and learn. So anyway I had observed this spider in one of the plants at the park a while back and due to me not seeing anything like it in person went on a research binge but turned up nothing.......

.......until today where I accidentally came across a photo of it on Bugguide and got the name. It doesn't seem to have an English name (otherwise BG would've listed it) and on Bugguide only list Tutelina similis as a similar species and mentions that it's impossible to ID the 2 species as spiderlings since they're so alike.

No other information is given. This calls for a proper Google search ( A.k.a "Google Rape") later as I have other more pressing mysteries to think on........like:

Cheiracanthium inclusum

These I've seen like crazy this year. Both adults and spiderlings of various stages. I don't know exactly what is going on here but it's fascinating. Where are they all coming from? Along with Cheiracanthium inclusum are a plethora of other tiny unidentified spiders. Quite a few of which are absolutely gorgeous.

The others are your tiny ordinary/mystery/cuties who's life mission is to never be identified. I thank God I have a photographic memory. As some of these "ordinary cuties" are not so ordinary once a better look is taken.

Noooohooooo they're like fucking mosaics. Yes you heard me. Like the clay/glass vases with the intricate designs on them. Shiny. Fat. Tiny. Fucking Pwecious. *.*

The last one was tiny and fat (abdomen wise) and the cephalothorax was a light tan color, the legs I don't remember (I'd imagine the same color more or less) and the abdomen was shiny black with silver designs on it. It was tiny but Idk if it was just a small adult something or an immature something.

I hope to see one again in the future and have a micro camera at the ready. I want to know what these are. I've seen them before along with the larger red ones. But don't know what they are. I have theories but I'll have to debunk some due to obvious differences.........I think.

As for C. inclusum after finding the last one in my bathroom doing it's business with me (beforehand it was on the ceiling in the hallway) I went and did my homework. My research on these shall be mentioned in another blog entry as I've rambled enough.

God I love my little friends. ♥♥♥♥ Happy Halloween!

Buggy Rant

I'm very disgusted beyond all reason now.

Cimex has for some reason been a bitch lately and it's something I don't understand at all. They were coming out like a bloody fucking "massacre"....only they were doing the "killing" so to speak and I don't understand why? What changed?

The only thing that's different is the weather. It's gotten colder....MUCH colder (yet most of the trees still have leaves and they're still green) and yesterday we got the first batch of snow of the year in October no less!

I have been freezing my ass off for a good while and you'd think that the fact it felt like 0 degrees the Evil Ones would retreat to find warmth in their little hidey holes or just drop dead from freezing.....literally.

Nope.......It's the complete opposite.

Instead of retreating they've come out even more to the point it actually made me want to burn my mattress. But since that's obviously not an option I did a whole lot of work today with them. This work led me to do something that I never really did in all my 19 years of loving bugs and the sort.......

They left me so creeped out I wound up shaking. Yeah they left my stomach in knots and "shivering". In other words I had your "typical reaction" to seeing bugs (in general).

Shocking......well I had found 2/12 brand new hidey holes that not even the sad excuse for "exterminators" housing puts out had found and the site was fucking disgusting as Hell. So after dealing with all this bullshit today (or rather yesterday now, Happy Halloween) I'm sitting here ranting to you about it "de-bugging".

In other more pleasant news (for me at least ^^):

I have been seeing alot of spiders this year. Idk why but most of them had been males, females, or various immature stages (spiderlings) of Cheiracanthium inclusum (or another Cheiracanthium or even Clubiona but I'm sticking with C. inclusum). The others are a complete mystery to me but they're beautiful! They remind me of mosaics or vases with the patterns they have.

Of course I'm thinking that at least the red and white ones I've seen might be immature House spiders but I have to do major research on this and get back to you. I don't know much on spiders so I have to learn and buy books.

Any recommendations? Drop me a line. Looking for books that deal species in the Eastern USA. Many thanks!

Now I must go contaminate my poor eyes with the pleasant happy beautiful images of Lepidoptera & do some more blog entries while I'm at it.

*Happy thoughts Happy thoughts Happy thoughts*

NHM Butterfly Exhibit: Buckeyes & Chocolate Pansies

Male and Female Buckeyes (Junonia coenia) No I don't know (as of right now) which is which. ^^;;

Buckeye (Junonia coenia)

Observations:

These are tiny little things. I once again was expecting it to be about the size of a Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) but they're smaller then that. Not only that but there were quite a few of them flying about and in the "puparium" freshly emerged were tons of Buckeyes.

Not only that. But I got to see one eclose! That was a yummy epic treat. It happened so quickly I was shocked. I was just standing there watching this beauty expand it's wings like someone blowing up a balloon only a bit slower.

And to see how tiny the chrysalids were (not just J. coenia but all the others too) and to see this tightly "wrapped" even tinier package of epicness come out and open up into such gorgeousness is.....*speechless*



This is interesting as this lists the Chocolate Pansy as Junonia hendonia ida.....WTF? Everywhere else I've seen it it's Junonia iphita with the synonym being Precis iphita. WTH is going on here?

Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita)

Observations:

Saw 2 of these. Got pictures. Not much to comment on these other then they're gorgeous. *^^* However I will comment on where this person who made the life stages plate got the name "Hedonia ida" from. AFAIK there's no Chocolate Pansy with that name past or present.

However when I Googled it it came up. Soo Idk....What's the difference between Junonia iphita and J. hedonia ida? Because they look the "same" to me.

Will back to you on this. Research!

NHM Butterfly Exhibit: Saturniid Mania Part 1

Finally! I'm on a lepidopteran junkie high! Apparently finally laying eyes on Actias luna will do that. That was the icing on the cake.

Actias Luna

Observations:

This breathtaking specimen was perched all the way up almost towards the ceiling and would not have noticed it if it weren't for one of the staff (Thank you!) pointing it out to me when I had mentioned I was in love with them. *^^*

It was pale green almost white and left me in such a state I thought I was dreaming. ^^;;;



Something akin to this shade. Almost see through too. ♥♥♥♥ I'm dying for cocoons now. Must start getting ready!

*Happy squee*

Attacus atlas

Observations:

Was hiding in the bushes and didn't come out to play. *pout* But it was an absolute joy to see it regardless. I hope that next time they'll have one at least in a better viewing area since I want pics and wasn't able to get any.

I wonder if Carolina Science would provide these somehow? I got to hold empty cocoons which was amazing. And see preserved eggs (which are TINY!) which was a treat. I cannot believe something so huge starts out so small.......♥

Speaking of size......you all "know" that the Atlas moth is supposedly the largest moth in the world yes? Ok then what's this?



Male Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules) This pic implies that this is larger then Attacus........but Idk for sure.



Holy shit. Female Hercules Moth (Coscinocera hercules) I don't see Attacus doing anything of the sort but then again what the hell do I know?

There are other pics that turned up on Google of people holding both Attacus & Coscinocera but not together unfortunately so I can't make comparisons. Only research.

Atlas moths are considered the largest moths in the world in terms of total wing surface area [upwards of c. 400 cm² (62 sq in)]. Their wingspans are also amongst the largest, from 25–30 cm (10–12 in). Females are appreciably larger and heavier.

-Wikipedia

Interesting one site (where I got the second picture from Googling) mention Coscinocera having a wing span of 27cm and living for about 10 days. So I'd say neck and neck I guess depending on the individuals......



Breathtaking! I wonder how big the other species of Attacus are? But that's for later. *^^* But there are other species as I had found some piccies during research a few months back.

Also on slightly different note:



What is this? It has characteristics of A. atlas but the color and patches/patterns are quite obviously off. Perhaps another species of Attacus?

The site listed it as Attacus atlas but it doesn't look a thing like it. Subspecies? Aaagh! If anyone knows anything feel free to let me know. Also the rest of the article on Wikipedia is here.

Cheers! There's lots more to come!

NHM Butterfly Exhibit

Mesosemia sp. According to Ben a cousin (subspecies perhaps?) of M. loruhama.........but which one?! DAMN IT! *^^*

Ladies and Gents..........

Zeh List:

1. ✩ Luna Moth (Actias luna) ✩ FINALLY!
2. ✩ Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas) ✩ Yippee~*^^*
3. Buckeye (Junonia coenia) Saw one eclose.......I got pics!
4. Chocolate Pansy (Junonia iphita)
5. Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus)
6. Eggfly (Hypolimnas bolina)
7. Dido Longwing (Philaethria dido)
8. Isabella Tiger/Longwing (Eueides isabella) Held one for like 20 minutes
9. Morpho peleides
9a. Morpho melenaus
10. Brown Siproeta (Siproeta epaphus)
11. Orchard Swallowtail (Papilio aegus) Sexually dimorphic! Observed males & females
12. Clipper (Parthenos sylvia)
13. Sara Longwing (Heliconius sara) *See notes on the various Heliconiidae
14. Postman (Heliconius melpomene) Various forms
15. Malachites (Siproeta stelenes)? Or were they all Philaethria dido that I saw?
16. Various Charaxes sp.
16a. Pearl Charaxes (Charaxes varanes)
17. Sleepy Orange (Euremma nicippe)
18. Mystery Pieridae member
19. Owl (Caligo sp.)
20. Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
21. Queen (Danause gilippus)
21a. Danaus genutia? Very brief and was still in flight.....never landed.
22. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)
23. Julia (Dryas iulia)
24. Tree Nymph (Idea leuconoe)
25. Sweet Oils (Mechanitis polymnia)
26. Mexican Bluewing (Myscelia ethusa)
27. Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
28. Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas)
29. Cattle Hearts (Parides sp.) These are TINY!!
30. Silver Studded Leafwing (Hypna clytemnestra) Previously known as Anaea clytemnestra
31. ✩ Mystery Butterfly #1 ✩ (Memphis sp.)? I'm pretty certain it's one of the Memphis species
32. ✩ Mystery Butterfly #2 ✩ (Mechanitis? Heliconius?)
33. Zebra Longwing (Heliconius charitonius)

In progress........=) The list is done though. *^^*

Observations:

There were so many! Most of them being Heliconiids. Of the Heliconiids I observed I have successfully identified these (although they're all still up for speculation):

Heliconiidae:

1. Heliconius erato (numerous forms too I bet)
1a. H. e. cyrbia
2. Heliconius cydno
2a. H. c. cydno
3. Heliconius hewitsoni
4. H. hecale
5. H. melpomene
6. H. sara (possibly)

The others I'm not too sure of. However upon my research of Heliconiidae I have come to 2 conclusions:

1. I freaking love them.
2. Someone needs to write a book.

I'm simply dying for the last one to happen. Reason being (which should be obvious to any butterfly enthusiast) they belong to the most bad ass mimicry ring in the insect world. It's simply mind bogglingly amazing on how many different forms, variations (according to location) and hybrids there are of these butterflies.

It's lead me to repeatedly ask the question a thousand and one times. WHY HASN'T SOMEONE WRITTEN A BOOK?! My god I mean there's so much on these butterflies it'll make your brains explode. I could dedicate an entire month to them alone with all the pictures and resources I've found on them and Ithomiinae (which is just as incredible and mind boggling).

My second mystery butterfly I'm more then certain (after further research) is a Mechanitis of some sort. The closest I have come to is Mechanitis menapis occasiva but that's still wrong. The patterns are off. *Shoot me* >_<

I really need to get the picture I took of it on here. It's a pretty decent one too. I took lots of pictures and also got a video too. Dying to post them here. Got some camera issues to work out first. Also saw a Buckeye eclose in their "purparium" where they had various chrysalids there.

That was a treat as I've never really seen the whole process up close even when raising Vanessa cardui (at least that I can remember). That was another God Send.......

Speaking of God sends. I finally laid eyes on Actias luna.......He/She was perched waaaaaaaaaaay up almost towards the ceiling just sitting there looking absolutely breathtaking. Managed to take 2 pictures. And down below in the bushes as a bonus was Attacus atlas. Smh......I'm in awe.

Thank you God. Now I'm dying to go back. *^^* Further ramblings shall be continued in other entries. This one is long enough. ^^;;;;

Reserved

Reserved.

Hermit Crabs

As you know one of my plans is to get hermies again. From exactly where Idk. I'm either going with Carolina Science or a pet store.

And I had forgotten to mention I had dreamt about my little pinchy friends:

@wapogipo88
Brittanie McCormack Dreamt about getting blue hermit crabs from Carolina science.....I wonder what that was about? Blue land hermit crabs?! Violas perhaps? 대박!
Sep 16 via webFavoriteRetweetReply

Had changed my twitter background recently. *^^* Have to go edit the other blog posts again. Won't have to do this again for while since I really like this one and plan on keeping it for a good while (and using it again of course).

And FYI they do have blue/purple hermies. Various species.....although most I believe would be aquatic. Violas are the only Land hermies I know of with such coloration.

Beautiful!

Enough of my rambling! Gotta run! ^_______^

Bzzzzzzzzz Busy!

Do not fret I'm still alive. Working on filling in post for this month and finishing up the 2 and half left for August. October 8th the NHM Butterfly Exhibit opens and I'm going to that sooner or later.....preferably on opening day Idk.....I have to figure out car fare. ^^

Then the epicness shall ensue. In other words my plans are to eventually and hopefully:

1. Get Actias luna from Carolina Science
2. Get extra and necessary bug catching equipment (E.g. Nets, butterfly houses, jars, etc.)
3. Figure out my camera issues ASAP (yes I finally have one)
4. Get other members of Lepidoptera in this house when available (Actias, Polyphemus, Papilio, Vanessa, etc)
5. Hermit Crabs (I don't need to say anymore on this)
6. Praying Mantises? (Must order colonies of wingless Drosophila melanogaster first...) Hmmm

Oh and most importantly! KILL CIMEX LECTULARIUS! >:) I've got them now. *Evil laughter*

See you soon! Love you loads!

Honeybees!

Apis mellifera scutellata I'd forgotten I had this. ^^;;


I think I might have seen 20 + this year! I had kinda lost track of them because I've been so busy with things but thinking on it now it's somewhat of a miracle for them this year. I can only hope next year I'll see even more.

When I'm not so tired I'll think back on it even more and see if I can estimate how many I've seen this year.

@wapogipo88
Brittanie McCormack Cabbage whites, Bumble bees, 1 hoverfly, 1 Microcentrum rhombifolium About 5 Honey bees pollinating Crape Myrtle, & 1-2 elsewhere 1 at pool.
Sep 16 via webFavoriteRetweetReply

↑ This was for today. Finding these shocked me to no end and made me so happy. God bless you Apis mellifera!

Also to be more specific the one at the pool was in the mini garden along with Bombus impatiens. ^^;;