Crittercams!

From last year on X-mas eve......♥ I'll have to research these later as Idk a thing on them.



♥

CRANEFLIES!!

Female of Tipula sp. Possibly Tipula (Tipula) paludosa. Observed 03-17-12

It's been a very very long time since I've last seen these. The last one I saw was last year in my bathroom and it was small with orange and black stripes on it's abdomen.

All the others I've seen (that I know know are Tipula spp. due to research) were either on my terrace or lobby windows or upstate at all the camps I went to for the summer.

So it was pleasant surprise to have seen this one buzzing about the various Narcissus invading the grasses.

Chasing Dreams.....

I had the highest of honors today. As of recent I've been swamped with various errands and appointments because life's busy like that sometimes and I was on the train with a friend reading my book on the Arctiidae when my friend had pointed out that "the lady must like butterflies cause she keeps smiling at you".

So I had turned around and asked her "Do you like butterflies?" She answered yes.....but the next words out of her mouth were ones I had not expected in a million years. "I'm an Entomologist" I just about died. So I had asked her about the Mechanitis butterflies and she had told me that she had specialized in Aquatic Entomology which just lead me to ask more questions.

Specifically about a beetle I had found a couple of days prior that I had suspicions of it being a Water Penny Beetle (Psephenidae) but after "proper research" I don't think it was a water penny beetle. I haven't the slightest clue on what it could be. I'll rant about it later.

I had asked her if any species were metallic and she had confirmed that there were some. What I did forget to mention was that this beetle had a very "housefly walk" to it. And the body shape reminded me more of Predacious Diving Beetles (Dytiscidae) but no where as huge as the diving beetles. Absolutely microscopic compared to them. But it's big enough to see and get insanely blurry pictures of. ^^;;

So we spent like 5 minutes discussing the Psephenidae and then next thing you know I'm at my stop and unfortunately had to leave. I was like a kid with "But I don't want to leave" :P But it was mandatory that I do so because my friend would've killed me and I couldn't afford to miss this appointment. But it's an experience I'll never forget.

So many things I wanted to ask her. The Odonata......ohhhh God the Odonata. T_T *Sigh* Here's hoping I meet more Entomologists someday.

This has lead me to remember about the aquatic lepidopteran larvae of the Crambidae and the Pyralidae. 0_0 Research has already commenced as I type this about a dozen possible new entries could from this and other non related research.

Goodness me there's so much.



What I'm currently reading. I'm on Chapter 8 atm. It's a wonderful book. *^^*



The page I was reading on that blessed train ride. Best train ride ever.

Crittercams! The Birds & The Bees.....

Was nectaring at flowering Quince. These have a lovely "apple-y" sent to it.



Anyone know what this is? Seen lots of these and would love to know what they are. Input is immensely appreciated. *^^*

BOTM: Mourning Cloak (Nymphalis antiopa)

Finally!!

First and foremost I simply must thank the Lord for all the Lepidopteran History being made. Secondly as it's late here I'll only rant about this a little.

This was 1 of 4 I had observed within the past few days. They had all just started coming out on the 14th (I think don't remember there's been so many) and these were some of the new arrivals of the year.

After all of these observations of the beauties I think I've figured out where to find them. Almost every one except one was found in fields of leaf litter with rocks (the ones you climb) and trees. And their camouflage is simply amazing!!

The other "lone" one was observed flying over my head coming down the steps from up where all these flowers are. I wonder where are they all coming from and is this normal that they're out so early? Earlier then last year. 0_0

Shout out goes to my friend Cyren =)

Spring is Here Early

They're here! They're finally here!!

Yaaaaaaaaaaaay!

We have been having unusually warm Spring like weather since late February. Up until this point I've been seeing lots of honeybees and various creepy crawlies but I was aching for my lepidopteran friends and booooy did I get rewarded today. ♥

My little bugaboos:

5 Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae)
✩ 2 Mourning Cloaks (Nymphalis antiopa) ✩
2-3 Hoverflies
2 Tan slugs
2 Milipedes
1 Spider (funnel web perhaps? Found under a rock)
✩ 1 DeKay's Brown Snake *Finally put an ID to my mystery snake and found another one! Or was it the same one? Found in the same area as the first one.
Bees (Bombus imperialis, mystery bees)
Mystery Wasps
1 Tiny Rove beetle *Never knew they could get so TINY!
1 Ground beetle
1 Centipede
Woodlice

I'm speechless........

Lepidopteran Goodies

Mocker Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus). There seemed to be several of these. Not sure if it was the same one flitting about all over the place. Was mistaken for Graphium angolanus at first *^^*

Listing of new additions. Including video of a mystery swallowtail. *^^* Enjoy!

New Additions:

1. Heliconius ismenius or Heliconius hecale melicerta
1a. Heliconius hewistoni or Heliconius pachinus
2. "Blue Bellybutton" (Archaeoprepona demophon) *Note: Do either Archaeoprepona or Prepona species have a butterfly with this common name? It has a red proboscis
3. Tailed Jay (Graphium agamemnon)
4. White Barred Emperor/Charaxes (Charaxes brutus)
5. Charaxes candiope
6. Mocker Swallowtail (Papilio dardanus)
7. Emerald Swallowtail (Papilio palinurus)
8. Orange Tip *Anthocharini? Wikipedia mentions Anthocharini containing many but not all of the Orange Tip butterflies. Merely guessing. Wasn't able to see specimen too well for ID.
9. Troides helena
10. Hamadryas laodamia
11. Common Sailor (Neptis hylas)
12. Clearwing (Greta oto)

Also observed what might've been a butterfly egg on one of the trees. Idk what else it could've been despite the fact they're not allowed to have host plants for breeding in the exhibit (GET PERMITS DAMN IT! :P) but they mate in there anyway.

And then there was that Attacus atlas success story of reproduction......what a masterpiece. ♥ Anyway........



Any ideas? Need assistance on this one. Lots more are coming your way! ^__________________^ And happy Birthday to our Nina!! We miss you! ♥

NHM Butterfly Exhibit Visit #4 RANT!!

...But there's more to this moth then just fabulous cloth so I'll keep holding on to my dreams.....ɛïɜ

~ Lyrics, Star of the Show A Bugs Life Soundtrack

*Speechless*

I don't need to tell you that this visit was epic. I took 100 + pictures and bunches of videos and towards the last 20 minutes was absolutely pissed that my camera battery died while taking pictures of the most gorgeous Attacus atlas.

I have to really work on those 2 pictures of my precious Attacus because they came out like crap really. Photoshop here I come. And I suppose this was sort of an accomplishment in a sense because during my last 3 visits the camera battery never died. XD

I was there for like ohhhh 5 hours? Minus time spent on line for tickets and the gift shop. Yes I know I'm "crazy". I don't care I ♥ my butterflies.

Observations (In general):

Actias Luna:

I had asked if they had any out anywhere after observing Actias & Samia cynthia cocoons in the "puparium" (my little nickname for the glass cases they keep their precious in) and Christine ( THANK YOU!) had pointed my beloved out to me after I had walked around trying to find it in the bushes myself. Impossible I tell you. I was ready to just call it a day until she had thankfully "intervened" .

When I finally laid eyes on it I had a very hard time trying NOT to get sentimental....♥ My eyes were burning with happy tears and I was a broken record "OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG Pretty, luna OMG" ^___________________^

When I left I went to go on the other side to get a better view of it (the underside obviously) and I have to make something very very clear. I. Will. NEVER. Forget. This. Encounter. EVER.

The reason being that the only thing separating me from that GORGEOUS moth (a male btw) was a piece of glass. I sat there on the floor staring at it for like 30 minutes every now and then trying to get my camera to get what would've been a really nice shot of it's gorgeous underside. But by this time the battery was dead and in need of charging. So I made it my mission to commit it to memory.

I hope to see more and get even better pictures/videos and hopefully hold one.

For now.....thank you Lord. ɛïɜ

Attacus atlas:

Was observed on the other side of said room (? Can't really call it a room Idk) in the the bushes. The only reason why I even spotted it was that the characteristic snake head forewing tips were sticking out reflecting the light and proceed to make me think "No way" walk over to confirm I wasn't hallucinating (it's HOT in there) and have a freaking happy fit and pointing it out to everyone.

Oh yes and everyone was positively gushing over it. "OMG it's huuuuuge". ♥ ɛïɜ

Heliconiidae/Ithomiinae:

HELICONIID LOVE FEST!! The Heliconiids were just everywhere today. It was insanity. But aside from their numbers was the number of pairs mating/courting. One specific pair that was mating (the rest were horny and trying to get their "freak on") were 2 different species I believe since I don't know of any mimicking Heliconius cydno. Any way the supposed H. cydno was mating with Heliconius erato/melpomene!!

How the freaking hell......? Would explain all the hybrids that were flying about today too. ♥_♥ The staff had told me that that particular pair had been at it since the night before. Which leads to questions:

How long does it normally take Heliconius butterflies to mate assuming that the male wasn't "impatient" and couldn't wait until the female eclosed from her chrysalis...? ^^

And there were about 3-4 courting pairs which I have videos of and will be posting them soon. Within a day or two cause I'm tired and sore. ^^*

Heliconius cydno had landed on my fingers as I was taking pictures of it's friends as if to say "Hello I've missed you too". God I love them.

Observed 2 beautiful Greta oto and freaking died....♥♥♥♥ Don't ask of course I got pictures/videos. Eueides isabellae & Heliconius hecale loved being accessories to my hat today along with Idea leuconoe. ^^♥

In General:

Hypna clymenestra was in love with everyone today! Every person it landed it on it would walk all over them for like 20 minutes and it would not leave willingly. It had to be "transferred" to where ever (people who wanted to hold it).

As for me it could stay as long as it pleased (and it did). Walked all over my jacket, licked the sweat off my hand (I did say it was hot in there yes?), and tickled me and made me happy. *^^* During this epic moment in Lepidopteran history I can now say that I truly appreciate why they're called "Silver Spotted Leafwings". ♥ ɛïɜ

Your Majesty (Danaus gilippus) landed on my pants leg and I removed it avoid getting it "roughed up" (it got crowded very quickly today Idk why) and it proceeded to practically almost crawl up to my face. *^^* I love you too. I love you all.

Papilio palinurus!! BEAUTIFUL!!!!! ɛïɜ

Had an epic discussion trying to ID a Charaxes and learning of hybrids occurring within Charaxes spp. which for some reason never occurred to me at all. Said butterfly was Charaxes candiope.

Received butterfly kisses from Eueides isabellae or H. hecale ^____________^ ɛïɜ

Had people asking me if the butterflies that had landed on my hat were real. ♥ Also learned that in one point in time all the butterflies in the display cases (or at least almost all of them) were alive in the exhibit at one time. Holy. Shit.!

They had the Brazilian Blue Morpho which I unfortunately didn't get to see.

Learned in the case of ID'ing Heliconiids & Ithomiine butterflies, wing shape and the subtle differences in the patterns is very very important.

Had asked staff on where to find butterfly chrysalids in the wild since I've tried looking and haven't found a thing. They told me that in the summer in Central park the pupae of migratory species can be found....just have to know who to ask to help you find then (birders & the like)......

.....I think we all know where I'll be this summer yes? ɛïɜ

Honeybees!

Honeybee nectaring from Mahonia sp. 03-08-12

Observed this today. There several about 3-4 throughout the area. Also mixed in was a Eristalis tenax. *^^* They're really amazing mimics of honeybees.

It really felt like Spring today. Warm bright and happy. Very windy though. Everything's blooming early the bees are most likely thinking "WTF?!" and I'm ecstatic! Throughout today I have wondered greatly about the butterflies.

Where do they pupate? In the case of Pieris rapae for example. I have observed last year both adults and larvae but not the chrysalids. Where would I find them? I've never thought of this before until now. I'm guessing that Pieris rapae is international? Cyren do you get these in Malaysia? Have you found the pupae?

If so where? ASAP I will be spending a proper visit searching as I would've done today but had to be back for the mailman so I couldn't dawdle. Next time. Also this something to ask the staff at the exhibit next time I pop over for a visit.

Hoping to find one someday. Long time no see. =) Life's been busy! Will be filling in for this week so check for posts! I've also been researching and have found utter epicness that I'm very excited to rant and rave about and give 5 stars to.

You'll see. For now I must run. Dinner time! *^^*