Epicness!

The most beautiful.....♥

I saw one today. The dark form of the female Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus). This had me doing 2 things:

1. Chasing after it like Moby Dick minus the net to get a better look at it
2. Sent me on a wild goose chase trying to ID it.

Notes on No.2: The pretty little sneak had me considering:

1. Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes)
2. Polydamas Swallowtail (Battus polydamas)
3. Red Spotted Purple (Limenitis astyanax) *The last 2 was a bout of insanity. To even consider the last two.....X_X

Nevertheless when I finally was reminded and "forced" to go researching the dark form of the female Tiger Swallowtail I had to almost facepalm myself for my utter stupidity. With all the Tiger Swallowtails we've been getting this year (starting last year) for some reason it didn't occur to me that I'd eventually "bump into" the dark form of the female.

I am stupid stupid stupid.......but in this case it was a good stupid as I needed the surprise and utter joy it brought me. It was the icing on the cake to an utterly perfect day.

And I thank it immensely (yes you read that right :P).

Edit: Tweets of epicness!

@ The park: 10 cabbage whites, 1 Agapostemon splendens, 1 American Hoverfly, 1 Cicada killer (went in burrow), 1 Ancistrocerus sp.less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyBrittanie McCormack
wapogipo88

↑ This is making me want to go on a research rampage for Sphecius speciosus. But "The Observations of Sphecius speciosus" is for a bit later on. *^^*

1 Perithemis tenera, 2 Unidentified dragonflies, Hoverflies, 1 yellow jacket or European paper wasp, ✩1 BLACK SWALLOWTAIL✩ (I think) 대박!less than a minute ago via web Favorite Retweet ReplyBrittanie McCormack
wapogipo88

This is where the insanity with the ID with this butterfly ensued as at the time I could've sworn what I saw was a Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes).

I wonder when I do my list do I count this form of the Tiger Swallowtail as separate?

At the Pool:

1 Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) & 1 dragonfly.........♥ ← You didn't expect me to post the tweet for this did you? :P Laterz! ^______^

P.S. For those of who who don't know 대박 is jackpot in Korean. ^^;;

Mystery Solved?

Pwecious! *.*

Remember this? I think I might've figured this little guy out. I was browsing my books and found photos of members from Platypezidae (Flat-Footed Flies) and they look just like this little one. The key feature: The eyes.

Be it that only the males (right? Have to check again) have the giant eyes........damn I lost my train of thought here. >_< Uh nevermind. I did a quick research binge on them and there doesn't seem to be much on them unfortunately.

Also since I got this photo from a Chinese site it maybe hard to ID it to species or even genera since I wouldn't know anyone that's an expert on Chinese Diptera or all insects in general.

But I will ask around regardless at least to confirm that it's a member of Platypezidae (man that is FUN to say!).

First up: Bugguide's Facebook Group!

Hall of Shame Introduction

Only the baddest of the bad, the most annoying of the annoying, and the most evil of the evil will make their way on to this infamous list.

You see not all of my little friends are good. There are some that need to be dealt with accordingly and others that need to just be wiped out completely because they're affecting and ruining people lives, not to mention the well being of other insects that we do need.

So without further ado......welcome to the Hall of Shame! >:)

WARNING: Some post might not be suitable for children.........read at your own risk. >:)

Cicada Mania Part 1

As I type this they're singing like crazy. They've been doing so since the first. All of this has prompted me to try and figure out what species I'm hearing. By researching all of this I've fell in love with cicadas even more. ♥

I still don't know exactly which ones I'm hearing. But I believe that they're in the Tibicen genius and after that might be either Tibicen tibicen or Tibicen t. australis. However I naturally (obviously) have to question this based on, 1. Observations 2. Facts (from sites & books).

Observations:

1. They start their "concerts" like crazy around 6-7 (dusk/sunset) E.g Right now. *^^*
2. They have sung during the day (not as frequent)
3. I think I'm hearing 2-3 different species/subspecies? *As of today
4. Cicada mania really kicked off 08-01-11 *Have heard them once in a while late July
5. Songs varied in volume but are the "same" *As of today

3. Very subtle difference in between songs. I'm mostly hearing "one type" though. They're really going at it now. *^^* I love it
1. It's 7:55PM and the sky's all pink and light blue sun has gone down.

I'm very happy right now. ^__________^

Theories:

1. I'm thinking they're either Tibicen tibicen or Tibicen t. australis. I "narrowed it down" via this epic site that has recordings of the songs of Cicadas of the Eastern United States. Both have very similar songs to what I'm hearing....however there's a subtle difference to it that's hard to describe and the sites doesn't list any other Tibicen species with similar sounding songs........

See Bugguide page on Tibicen tibicen. Lists them as being common in New York........I live in New York and I also believe that that's what I've seen upstate too. Resemblance is uncanny! I have yet to see one at my house (I hope I do as that would solve this mystery 100 %).
2. Might be something other then T. tibicen.........although now due to research I highly doubt that.......XD

Facts:

1. Will have to rule out Tibicen t. australis apparently. Bugguide completely disputes the possibility of it being that due to it (according to them) not occurring in New York. Read guide page. Duh! :P

2. Mystery possibly solved? Answer Tibicen tibicen? Unless there another similar sounding Tibicen species occurring in NY state (will due further research) I'm going with T. tibicen.


To be continued!!! Photo: Unknown Cicada species. Gorgeous no? Will ask around for ID.

Green Cloverworm (Hypena scabra)

At some point every year at least one comes into my house.

For years I've been wanting to know what kind of moths these are. Well due to my books giving me a lead I was able to put a name to these beauties.

The one that I found in the kitchen was very skittish as in it would not allow me to go near it half the time so it was impossible to catch it. It acted like your Common House Fly (Musca domestica) then a moth in terms of behavior.

Fascinating. I wonder if this characteristic or if it was just this particular individual? Will do further research on this later. Expect an edit as this entry isn't even near finished. I have plans to go on a research binge on these.

I want to know everything.

MONARCHS & DRAGONFLIES GALORE!!

I saw so many of my little friends today. But the best was this monarch at the pool. First of the season.......♥ I DO hope to see more of you Danaus plexippus!

At The Pool:

1 Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
1 Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
1 Agapostemon splendens? *male rescued from drowning.......no wonder I didn't get stung!
1 Yellow Jacket or European Paper Wasp
1 Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)

At The Park:

More Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae)
3 Cicada Killers (Sphecius speciosus)
1 Spider
1 Leafhopper
European Paper Wasps
Bees (Melissoides bimaculata was one of them) *might be mixing up the dates I saw the second M. bimaculata.......Idk. X_X
1 Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus)? *See post "Celastrina Mystery" cause this whole thing is a mystery to me. >_<
1 Lacewing
2 Mud Daubers (Chalybion sp.)
DRAGONFLIES!

Observations of Dragonflies:

I more or less walked into a swarm of them in the field and it was one of the most beautiful insecty things I've seen at the park this year. To see the sun glinting off their wings in rainbows........*happy happy sigh*

Upon further research after I got back I found I walked into a feeding swarm. Being that there were numerous species far far away from the water and they obviously weren't courting each other it had to be some other reason they were swarming like that. It was a "mini swarm" about maybe 20-30 flying around.

I was able to ID 2 of them in that swarm as being:

Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
12 Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella)

And finally my mystery orange dragonfly as Perithemis tenera Eastern Amberwing. Did I mention how much I love insects? :P

The "observations of Sphecius speciosus" will be a separate entry as I want to look into them more and possibly answer questions before I speculate/analyze.

I'm going to say this again. I. LOVE. INSECTS.

BOTM: Hemaris thysbe

I'm in awe of these things. They're amazing bee mimics!

Three........after the 26th I've seen three of these in my lifetime. The very first time was at "Insectopia" at Camp Huntington (damn it I miss you!) back in 2003.....so that was about 9 years ago.......0_0 2nd and 3rd time was obviously at my beloved park.

The first one I saw at the park might have been Hemaris deffinis since this one looked like a bumble bee from what I could see and H. deffinis mimics bumble bees. H. thysbe I think is just "Bees in general" I don't think they're targeting any specific bees but I could be wrong. I have to look into that more. Regardless of what the first one was it was still a Hemaris species so it counts. :P

The latest one I observed now that I think on it had a very "happy flight" to it as in if it could smile while was flitting from flower to flower feeding nectar and "dodging" me trying to get a better look at it it would. ^___^

Idk.....maybe it's just me but that's how I see it. Absolutely gorgeous beings. I love them. And now on zeh infos!

This is a very nice article on them indeed. Wikipedia surprisingly doesn't have much on them. -_- Disappointing. But I'll be searching for additional info elsewhere.

Expect an edit. I will also get around to an entry for H. deffinis too.

Reddish-Brown Stag Beetle (Lucanus capreolus)

These are alot smaller then the piccie implies.

I found one today. It shocked me because I didn't think I'd see one period. Any stag beetle really. Upon further research I've also had a revelation that all the beetle grubs I have seen over the years might have been Lucanus capreolus..........and now I find an adult male.

Icing on the cake no? Bugguide has the following information:

Found at lights, at bait, and around decaying logs, stumps, where it breeds. Males use mandibles to fight at breeding sites. Eggs are deposited in rotting wood.

Larvae live in decaying wood of deciduous trees. They take two years to develop, pupate in nearby soil.

-Bugguide

And they're also attracted to lights?........this is further fueling my desire to run downstairs and "bait" whatever's around here but I don't have the proper equipment to do so and wouldn't know where to get it. XD

I will look into it though......for next year of course. *^^* Will be digging up additional information on these later possibly for another entry......who knows?

*List of other bugs goes here* ← For later.....^^

Halysidota Harrisii (Yippee)!!

I saw 5 of them today! 0_0 Being that it was like 114 degrees definitely had something to do with it. They were huge and covering a Sycamore tree a few blocks from my place. Not to mention they were the color of sunshine......♥

So all together that makes 7 so far. Never saw so many in one spot in one day before. Thank you!!

And thanks to Bugguide I can now sort of pinpoint their time frame. In other words when I can hunt them down and see them more frequently next year:

Overwinter as cocoons, adults emerge in May and June and lay eggs on the underside of leaves or bark of sycamore. Young larvae feed in groups, they scatter later.

- Bugguide

I see the larvae more then the adults. Last adult I saw was on mom's birthday (I think) last year on the terrace. I wasn't able to get to it due to it being locked (the terrace) and I didn't have a key. *Makes note to ask housing for a key to the terrace.

Caterpillars in General:

9 including 1 Pieris rapae and 1 unknown Geometrid
7 Halysidota harrisii, First 2 (2nd or 3rd instar)?
Hope to see more naturally. Also something I've noticed about Halysidota species in general is that larvae are extremely variable in color! I remember years and years ago seeing H. tessellaris walking on a picnic bench at camp (Starfish I think it was........or was it Ramapo (sp?) Idk....). I remember getting excited and kinda disappointed because at the time I thought I couldn't hold due the whole "irritant hairs" things.

I was still learning about insects so I didn't know better. That's not to say I didn't look at it and very lightly (I think, don't remember) brushed my finger across it's back. It was the grey and black form (do they name the varieties?).

Last time I saw H. tessellaris but I'll keep my eyes open if I ever go upstate again (highly unlikely though). I love my precious babies.

I wonder if the heat also rushed along their development??? It's happened before when I raised Vanessa cardui! =) Aaahh the good old days.....♥

Photo from Bugguide.

Pseudopontia's Twin Sister!!

Leucidia brephos is Pseudopontia's almost twin sister. Only difference is L. brephos has clubbed antenna & Pseudo......doesn't.

The Snowflake (Leucidia brephos)

Stumbled across these today during my research and did somewhat of a double take. I said this looks like Pseudopontia!! And that led to the many questions:

1. Why do they look so similar?
2. Are they related in terms other then family/order (they're both in Pieridae)?
3. Is anything known about them?

Question No.3 can be answered in somewhat of a heartbeat:

Snowflakes are invariably encountered singly, usually when seen in flight at light gaps in the forest, where trees have fallen and sunlight penetrates to ground level. These tiny butterflies have a very slow and very persistent fluttering flight, flying for long periods but apparently going nowhere ! It is in fact possible to watch one of these delightful butterflies drifting and wafting about, but without travelling more than a few metres, for several minutes before it eventually settles.

When the butterfly does settle however it tends to stay put for long periods - these aspects of it's behaviour being very reminiscent of the Leptidea Wood Whites of European forests, although the latter are of course entirely unrelated, being members of the Dismorphiinae.

- Butterflies of The Amazon

Just imagining this is not good enough. Because we all know that seeing the real thing will put anything your mind can cook up to shame. Leptidea species......I have heard of these due to the fact I briefly looked into Dismorphiinae and remember seeing Leptidea mentioned.

However Dismophiinae and it's members is for another day. For now we focus on this beauty. =) General information on this mentions another species: Leucidia evelina which you can bet will have research of some sort done.

Said "General Information" is from the same epic site:

The subfamily Coliadinae is worldwide in distribution, and includes 70 species in the neotropical region. Among them are the familiar Phoebis Sulphurs and Eurema Grass Yellows of the lowlands, and the Colias Clouded Yellows of the high altitude paramo and puna grasslands.

Most Coliadinae species are migratory in nature, and highly conspicuous - Phoebis and Eurema for example are often seen flying along riverbanks in "strings" of a dozen or more while migrating, and males of both genera commonly swarm in groups of 50 or more when mud-puddling at damp sand.

It may come as a surprise therefore to find that the tiny and elusive Snowflake, a denizen of the dark rainforests, is also a member of the same subfamily. There are in fact two "snowflake" species - elvina, which has dark wing borders and looks like a miniature Eurema albula; and the illustrated species brephos, which is by far the commoner and most widespread of the two species.

Leucidia brephos is distributed from Panama to Bolivia.

-Butterflies of the Amazon

Also upon further Googling I found this which has photos of 2 subspecies of L. brephos. I'll of course be researching everything mentioned here because I want to know more. :P Expect and edit of sorts or more entries. *^^* And a very happy birthday to my mommy. You're the best. ♥

Credits: Photo and info is from here. No copyright infringement is intended. ^^

And 1 Cabbage White (Pieris rapae) today! *^^*

Lepidoptera-y Goodness!!

Damn right it's all about me.....damn right it's all about me Na na na na na na na na na na na....

- BoA "Look Who's Talking" I couldn't resist. ^__^

Stumbled across these just now (07-17-11):

Butterflies of Mexico
Neotropical Butterflies Checklist (Butterflies of N. America)
Andean Butterflies

Species to research:

Hypanartia lindigii (Hypanartia sp. in GENERAL) *Gorgeous*
Catasticta ludovici
Aeria eurimedia

Butterflies of Ecuador
Butterflies of Venezuela (BOOKS!) Dear God I want them all! *.*
Neotropical Butterflies Knew about this one already just listing it.

Species to Research:

Ithomeis coenoides
Necyria zanetaPolygrapha cyanea

Lepidopterology This is cute.
Guide To Costa Rican Iithomiinae I don't need to say anymore on this. *Speechless*
FLMNH Butterfly Rainforest If I EVER go to Florida........

Ok I'll add more later. It's late and I need to get to bed. *^^*

Red and Green Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea)

I haven't seen one of these in a very very very long time. So long I don't remember how long. So it was nice seeing one of these along with:

Cabbage whites
1 Leaf cutter bee
1 Mystery wasp (Polistes sp.?) * Coloring was like that of P. carolina with black tip on abdomen
1 Tiger Swallowtail? Was flying up way to high for me to see exactly what it was but it definitely wasn't a bird.

Additional information will be added later. =)

Mystery Bees.......*Rant*

Anthidium manicatum which is one of 2 Anthidium species introduced to E. North America

Ok so a bunch of bees have been intriguing me for quite a bit and I want answers. With The Great Carpenter Bee Mystery pretty much solved (will get to that asap I have posts to fill in!!) a new mystery has presented itself.

Actually this has been "brewing" for sometime. I just today decided to analyze it through ranting on this blog of mine. I've been seeing quite alot of bees that I believe might be Mining, Plaster, or Adrenidae members, also Megachilidae too. But I have no way of ID'ing them unless I have a camera. They all look so similar.

Add the fact that they're fucking fast and there's "no hope" unless I get a camera and get pictures of the really friendly ones. I got a good look at 2 today. One was black and white and shaped like an Anthidium........but I don't think it was (unless colormorph?) due to the fact that they're only 2 Anthidium sp. in Eastern North America (ENA from now on). The second one I believe is either Anthidium manicatum or A. oblongata.

Observing this one was a dead giveaway. It was carrying a fuzzball. *^^* In other words females of A. manicatum (& presumably other Anthidium species too.....??) scrape off the fuzz off of fuzzy plants and line their nest with it. And there's PLENTY of fuzzy plants in the park by my house so they'll be in heaven.

This is the first time I've seen this one (again either A. manicatum or A. oblongata) all the others I have. I just don't know what kind they are. I know what families they might reside in but that's it........oooooh wait until I get a camera.

In other news.......I saw 2 Halysidota harrisii!!! *Jumping* First 2 of the season along with:

Cabbage Whites
A Comma (I think what else could it be?)
Harmonia axyridis
BEES (need I say more?)
American Bumble bees
Leafhopper nymph? (the brown ones with the white fuzzy things in the back)
2 Lopidea sp.
Spring Azure
3 Cicada Killers (must feature these ASAP)
3 Polistes sp.?? *This? Maybe.....
Moth Fly (Lobby)

My brains all fuzzy! >_< Apologies if I forgot any. ^^;; There were just so MANY of you today. ^_^ Must go now. REALLY pooped. -_-

*EPIC!*

So much epicness! Really tired so I'm just gonna list them all and ramble later:

Cabbage whites
TWO Tiger Swallowtails OMG!
1 Silver Spotted Skipper
2 Lopidea sp. (One landed on me)
2 Eastern Commas
1 American Hoverfly?
Clear Wing Moth!! (Hemaris diffinis or H. thysbe?) Oh. My. God.!
American Bumble bees (Males everywhere on Buckeye bush)
Carpenter bees
1 Honey bee
Hover Fly (Brown not sure of the sp.) *Thinking Pseudodoris clavatis it's very variable
Thrips or beetle larvae in a Datura (?) flower
Spring Azure
Male Mosquitoe or Midge
And a lacewing on my terrace window....♥ Epic!

I'll ramble properly about all of this later. Also the "Great Carpenter Bee Mystery" has been pretty much solved after my observations today. My suspicions about the whole thing have been right all along. Smh........*Major facepalm* There were lots of bees today. My somewhat mystery digger bees, some of which might be mining or plaster bees.

Not too entirely sure. And I won't be unless I catch one (impossible) so the only other option is to get photos (possible since there was one today that was very friendly & photogenic). Not to mention the second tiger swallowtail I saw today was very photogenic and friendly but it wouldn't let me hold it. >_<

Hehehe. That's fine. Someday though...........I hope. *^^* Enjoyed seeing all these and a proper rambling shall occur later since I know someone's wondering what the "Great Carpenter Bee Mystery" is.

And I'll tell you later! ^_______^

Epic!

So I FINALLY was able to go back to my beloved park. *Happy sigh* And I saw tons of cabbage whites and carpenter bees. Also a Mining Bee of some sort? Not too sure.

But I finally met someone who could tell me about the plants in Morning Side!! Yippee! This is why this visit was especially epic. =) I've been attempting to find someone for quite a while. So I'm happy to have finally accomplished that. Hoping to meet Joe (that's his name ^^) again someday.

On to the buggies:

Cabbage whites
A Bee (RESEARCH!)
Carpenter bees
European paper wasps
An Ant (I can't remember where I saw this.......X_X)
Lopidea sp. (a nymph and an adult)

By my house:

A Jumping Spider
A Mirid

Aaaah 모닝 싸이드 오랫만이예요! ᄏᄏᄏ

16 Ways To Eat A Cicada

CLICKY!

They've all lost their minds.......

Happy Summer! *^^*

BOTM: Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui)

Reserved for epicness.

*OMG!*

I'm proud to say I witnessed this. ♥

There were dozens and dozens out twirling around each other so elegantly. I thought nothing of it at first as I thought it was just your typical territorial dance between 2 males. But then there were more doing that same dance and I had to wonder what exactly was going on here?

So I continued to observe them and when I saw some mating that's when I knew what was going on. I got sentimental over it all as I've never had the pleasure/honor of witnessing something so beautiful. I'm extremely thankful. A further more detailed explanation (a.k.a Excited, slightly immature rambling) of it all can be found here.

I also got to hold a Painted Lady. 0_0 I don't need to say anymore on how EPIC this was other then it was flying around the water fountain by the baseball field and it practically walked onto my hand (I had bent down when it landed to see if I could get it on me)! I got to hold it twice.

*Happy happy sigh* I was in great need of this. Thank you & God bless you Lepidoptera.

Random Insecty Things (Links)

8 Odd Ways To Get Rid of Ants

I wonder if I should add a couple of ants to my Hall of Shame list I'll be posting???

Catonephele Images (Butterfly)

I think some of these are wrong......obviously. -_-

Cincindela Online

Amazing! They have books that I would love to have......unfortunately it's a European site with (obviously) European currency. -_-

I wonder if Amazon has any of these books? I certainly hope so!

Reserved

Reserved. =)

Reserved

Reserved. =)

Reserved

Reserved. =)

Reserved

Reserved. =)

Microlepidoptera OMG!

Listing the species:

• Episcada apuleia (Hewitson, 1868) Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru
• Pteronymia alida (Hewitson, 1855) Mexico to Bolivia including Venezuela,Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
• Pteronymia teresita (Hewitson, 1863) ssp. thabena (Hewitson, 1869) Ecuador
• Pteronymia dispaena (Hewitson, 1876) Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Peru
• Pteronymia teresita (Hewitson, 1863) Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru
• Pteronymia teresita (Hewitson, 1863) ssp. denticulata Haensch, 1905 Bolivia
• Pteronymia alida (Hewitson, 1855) ssp. zabina (Hewitson, [1857]) Colombia
• Pteronymia artena (Hewitson, [1855]) valid name for Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama
• Pteronymia artena (Hewitson, [1855]) valid name for tigranes Godman & Salvin, [1879] Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama
• Pteronymia simplex (Salvin, 1869) Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Guatemala
• Pteronymia artena (Hewitson, [1855]) Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Bolivia, Venezuela, Colombia
• Pteronymia cotytto (Guérin-Méneville, [1844]) Mexico, Panama
• Pteronymia alissa (Hewitson, 1869) Ecuador, Bolivia, Trinidad, Colombia,Venezuela
• Pteronymia alissa (Hewitson, 1869) andreas (Weeks, 1901) valid name for andreas of authors Ecuador, Bolivia
• Pteronymia primula (Bates, 1862) valid name for tenuis Haensch, 1905 Brazil(Amazonas), Colombia
• Pteronymia primula (Bates, 1862) ssp. auricula Haensch, 1905 Colombia
• Pteronymia aletta (Hewitson, [1855]) subsp. lilla (Hewitson, 1856) Ecuador
• Pteronymia aletta (Hewitson, [1855]) subsp. agalla Godman & Salvin, [1879]
• Pteronymia laura (Staudinger, 1885) Colombia
• Pteronymia euritea (Cramer, [1780]) Brazil
• Episcada hemixanthe (C. & R. Felder, 1865) Brazil
• Pteronymia sao (Hübner, [1813]) ssp. antisao (Bates, 1862) Brazil(Amazonas)
• Pteronymia medellina Haensch, 1905 Colombia
• Pteronymia ticida (Hewitson, 1869) Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia,Venezuela
• Pagyris cymothoe (Hewitson, [1855]) Venezuela, Colombia, Peru. Ecuador
• Pagyris cymothoe (Hewitson, [1855]) subsp. sylvella (Hewitson, 1868) Ecuador
• Veladyris pardalis (Salvin, 1869) Ecuador, Peru
• Velamysta pupilla (Hewitson, 1874) subsp. cruxifera (Hewitson, 1877) Ecuador
• Velamysta peninna (Hewitson, 1855) Peru. Bolivia
• Velamysta pupilla (Hewitson, 1874) Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia
• Aeria eurimedia (Cramer, [1777]) Mexico - Colombia, Guianas, Nicaragua, Panama, Venezuela
• Aeria eurimedia (Cramer, [1777]) subsp.agna Godman & Salvin, [1879] Nicaragua - Panama, Venezuela
• Aeria olena Weymer, 1875 .Brazil to NE.Argentina
• Brevioleria coenina (Hewitson, 1869) Ecuador
• Hypoleria lavinia (Hewitson, [1855]) vanilia (Herrich-Schäffer, 1865) Colombia
• Hypoleria sarepta (Hewitson, [1852]) subsp. virginia (Hewitson, [1853]) Brazil(Amazonas)
• Brevioleria aelia (Hewitson, 1852) subsp. orolina (Hewitson, [1861]) Brazil(Amazonas), Peru

You know I'll be researching these. Not all at once of course. :P Moderation. *^^*

Onion Plant Bugs Labopidicola, Labopidea

So one of these decided to pay me a visit early this morning (06-01-11) and I went looking to see if I can pin it to an ID and came up with Labopidea, Labopodicola (what the difference is between the 2 I have no idea). Only difference with mine is that mine was a darker green then in the photos I found on Bugguide.

Of course there's a possibility (with Mirids it's hard because it's the largest Hemipteran genius) it was something else. What that something else is well.......it could be:

Orthotylus sp.
Ilnacorella sulcata, other green Ilnacorella?
Blepharidopterus sp.
Or this? Which hasn't been ID'd yet.....

Will continue looking for other possible candidates. There's also a nice PDF on them here.

You shall be updated!

Korean Bug Sites!! 한국 곤충 블로그/싸이트

대~~~~~~~~~박! 대박이당~~!

I found these (06-01-11):

몸은 비록 멀리 있어도 항상 가까은 곳에... Linky!
곤충 나라 식물 나라 Linky!

아주 행복해요~*.* 공부!!! 공부 열심히해요! 홧팅!

Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris)

I saw this yesterday and mistook this for a honey bee. Come to think of all my other "Honey Bees" that were way too big to be honey bees might have been these fellas. =)

These are native to Europe (obviously introduced here :P) where they have 6 different color forms. =O I wonder which one was mine? Mine had white fuzz around the abdomen kinda like this one.

They're cute but they like destroying daffodils.......we can't have that in my garden (if/whenever I get one). *^^*

The adult M. equestris feeds on the pollen and nectar of flowers from the genera Lilium and Narcissus.

The larvae of these flies are known pests found on the bulbs of these flowers, leading to the names bulb fly and Narcissus fly. This is unlike most other members of the family, which predate on aphids.

Interesting! From Wikipedia obviously.....do extra research!! I can only do so much with limited knowledge on these and the genius in general. :P

I'll see if I can spot some more?

$JACKPOT$

So I went to the park today finally!! It's been too long and was GREATLY rewarded with members of the Lepidoptera family (I thank you greatly):

1. Tiger Swallowtail ANOTHER ONE! That makes 3 altogether I've seen around my neighborhood. Starting to keep track now.

2. A Comma or a Fritillary? 90% it was a comma. Little sneaky bugger was too fast for me to get a good look at it.

3. Eastern Tailed Blue?

4. Mating hoverflies?

And a hoverfly mimicking a honeybee.........RESEARCH!! I'll get back to you! ^___________^

Flowers:

Deutzia gracilis
Philadelphia Orange
Mystery Flower #1
Mystery Flower #2 Looks like Ajuga sp. but isn't. X_X

Wicked Bugs! >:)

Oh Ho~!


This. Is. Epic.! A special thanks to AOL for directing me to this epic trailer due to them featuring a brief article here. And then there's this too from which I read that epic excerpt from this book that's about to become apart of my collection of epic insect books.

Wicked Bugs is like an updated version of Nick Arnold's Ugly Bugs except it's not "kiddified" if you get my drift. Both are epic but Amy's is more of the "adult version" at least to me.

You can be sure that I'll get my copy ASAP. Because when one of America's best selling writers that doesn't write about insects starts to.......you know it's gonna be epic!

Props to Amy!! You've gained another fan. Can't wait to read it all!

BOTM: Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia)

Argynnis paphia F. valensina

These are on the cover of A World For Butterflies by Phil Schappert which I received on the 17th. It's a gorgeous book and I highly recommend it.

Now on to my ramblings about 2 very important things that I noticed:

1. There's quite a bit of info on Wikipedia but it's not cited with references or sources so I won't be posting anything from there on here. I will be linking it though.

2. From what I understand there seems to be 2 forms of the female....unless the 'F' stands for 'form' there's the regular orange color and this one (pictured) named valensina.

Upon searching for info elsewhere I found this.

Apparently Valesina is the name of the dark form of the females. Coolies!

A spectacular form of this butterfly, known as valesina, occurs in a small percentage of females, primarily in the larger colonies in the south of England, where the orange-brown colouring is replaced with a deep olive-green.

The legendary lepidopterist, Frederick William Frohawk, was so taken with this form, that he named his only daughter after it. This form is quite distinctive in flight, looking like an overgrown Ringlet, and has the common name of the “Greenish Silver-washed Fritillary”

- UK Butterflies

On a side note I'll be look at that site even further because it has pictures and videos of butterflies. For A. paphia it also lists the aberrations too.

Will be checking the site out further. Awesomeness.

Hall of Shame Rant

Sitting here thinking about who else should be on here besides the obvious?

1. Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius) *These guys just might get more then one entry too.
2. German Cockroaches (Blatella germanica)
3. Asian Ladybug (Harmonia axyridis) *Yes people we're mentioning them yet again.....
4. Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae) *I know what you're thinking...a butterfly?! You'd be surprised

Any more suggestions? I need a bit of help here! *Researching* Shame the pic's not bigger. Heheehehe >:)

You'll be hearing from me soon on this. Hopefully starting it at least.

Happy April Fools Day!

Happy April Fools Day!

Not feeling it this year though. Or should I say that I didn't feel it this year because of a rather distressing situation I'm in that Idk when it'll be over and we'll have all the answers and everything. So this is just a fill in.

Working on filling in the month for April as I work on May. March is pretty much easier to do since I don't plan on going through the whole month. It would only hold things back even more. And I don't want that. Want to let you know that I am ok. Stressed but ok. As I type this I feel motivated......prepare for post spam!

Yippee!!

Oh~ I want these!

Butterfly Books!

CLICKY!

Books on the butterflies and moths of Malaysia, Singapore, & Thailand. I want these. Must go look on Amazon/B&N. Hopefully I can get some.

Can never have enough books. Which reminds me, I have to list the rest of my collection. *^^*

Toodles!

Miniscule Series - A Cruel World

Sadly this one was non embeddable by request. >:( Nevertheless:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adidjZvVreE

Will be edited once I find one that's embeddable.

Download: A Cruel World

Yosemite Cave Pseudoscorpion (Parabisium yosemite)

This was just "recently" (last year) discovered. And it's also about time for an arachnid entry too don't you think?

Clicky!

Provides info on them in general too. Would post it here but Idk if it's "copyrighted" and I'd get sued or something. :P

Can't risk that. *^^*

Pseudopontia, Pseudopontiinae

Pseudopontia paradoxa. Holy FUCK it looks like a fairy! It's sooo prettyyy! *.*

Oh~ Just discovered these!

Clicky! Also a list of species and subspecies (apparently) here. These are unique among butterflies because while it's considered a true butterfly it lacks the characteristic clubbed antenna!

Remember what I said? "Never assume anything.......blah blah" This is amazing!

So exiciting! Going to see if I can find anything on these. I wonder what the caterpillars look like. I would love to see one of these in person someday.......♥

BOTM: Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae)

These really don't need an introduction do they? I mean everyone has seen them yes (whether or not they know the name of them or not) so I guess it's time to educate people then! I'll be learning right along with you as I've learned somethings I didn't know already.

Cabbage Whites (Pieris rapae) are the first butterflies I see here every Spring. Before the Sulphers, Admirals, Eastern Tailed Blues, Monarchs, & Silver Spotted Skippers, these are the butterflies that more or less say "Hello again we've missed you" first. :P

I really would like to know about their biology though. Like what's unique about them in their mating/courtship rituals. Do they have any even? What I have noticed in my observations over the years is that when they really start coming out (I've seen three so far) if 2 butterflies "bump" into each other they'll start spiraling in circles around each other flying upwards.

It's simply gorgeous to watch. ♥ I remember researching that some years ago and learning that that's when 2 males are "fighting" for their territory. One invades the others space and the other is like "get out" and then the "fighting" ensues.

I'll have to re-look that up again and get back to you but for now:

The Small White (Pieris rapae) is a small- to medium-sized butterfly species of the Yellows-and-Whites family Pieridae. It is also commonly known as the Small Cabbage White and in New Zealand simply as white butterfly. The names "Cabbage Butterfly" and "Cabbage White" can also refer to the Large White.

It is widespread across Europe, North Africa and Asia and has also been accidentally introduced to North America, Australia and New Zealand where they have become pests on cultivated cabbages and other mustard family crops.

Like its close relative the Large White this is a strong flier and the British population is increased by continental immigrants in most years. Adults are diurnal and fly almost exclusively during mid-day, though it appears as if there is some activity in the later part of the night too, ceasing as dawn breaks.

^ OMG at the last. I had no idea they were somewhat active at night either! But since these came from Wikipedia I'll be doing extra research on that later.

Also as you now know they go by a plethora of other names. Carolina Science lists them as Brassica butterflies due to them feeding and sometimes being a pest of plants in the Brassicaceae family (Cabbages, etc.) which makes sense but I've never seen them listed elsewhere with that name so I find it strange.

I will look into that as well. *^^* Aaahh research again! Feels good. But for now I advice you to do extra research!! Feel free to correct anything here or provide additional info!

Until next time! Must go work on more entries. Rest of info: here.

Happy Spring!

HAPPY SPRING!

First off I want to apologize for not updating this blog as frequently as I would like. I'm in a rather yucky situation that I can't wait to get out of and atm all the stress has been keeping me from doing alot of things that I normally do.

But don't worry as I vow to complete this month as best I can. Starting with the most recent dates as possible.......or the most important and doing the other ones later as we're already in the middle of April (I will get to that too don't worry)!

I have buggy plans this year too. *^^* I hope that I will get to accomplish them.

Keep your fingers crossed!!! 화이팅~!

4월 13일 2011년

DO NOT WATCH THIS

Oh HELL no........

Warning: NOT for the queasy......

Idk why I even posted this........X_X *Dead*

Tracking Honeybees!

So I went to the park again today and I saw 4-5 more honey bees. So that right there altogether is 10. Honestly I saw more in 2 days then I saw last year! Last year I saw only 3 the whole year! 0_0

This makes me very happy and it gives me hope.

Apis mellifera Count Spring 2011:

03-17-11: 4-5
03-18-11: 4-5
Total: 9/10 maybe more?.....

And in Korean:

Apis mellifera 꿀벌 봄 2011년:
3월17일 2011년: 4-5
3월18일 2011년: 4-5
총액: 9/10 또 과연.....?

꿀벌 축하합니다~ 화이팅 으쌰 으쌰! *^^*

BUGS!

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!

So Spring came three days early. 0_0

I went to my beloved park and it was rewarding me greatly:

4-5 or more HONEY BEES!

Carpenter Bee

Green Bottle Fly

Some other bee of some sort

*Drum Roll*

A BUTTERFLY! YAAAAAAAAAY! A cabbage white to be precise!

Hooray! Will be keeping track of the honey bees this year!

Happy Birthday To Me!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

생일축하합니다
생일축하합니다
사랑하는 브리타니
생일축하합니다 Korean Birthday song! *^^*

축하해요! 19년후 우와~! o(^▽^)o

Reserved

Will work on this month later. I should start filling in for March. Starting with my most recent buggy adventures.

03-21-11

Redback Part 2

Smh........so much for going to Australia. :P

The Hall of Shame

Remember I mentioned this some time ago? I know the first 2 candidates that are going on it. One of them will most likely get multiple entries because there's so much to say about them the other hasn't caused anywhere near as much problems in my life. But they're still annoying as fuck.

Still clueless? Come on guess. =) What 2 insects do I almost constantly bash if not on here then on the other insect blog? If you still don't know then I suggest I give you a clue? In Korean though. >:)

빈대 & 바퀴벌레

Surely you recognize them now? If not you'll have to wait a bit longer. As the list with who shall be on it will be revealed at a later time. Keep checking back though.

See you later kiddies!

Wheeeeeeee!

*Loves*

I will never understand how people manage to get photos like this. It's either luck or extreme skill or a bit of both. I for one can't wait until I get my hands on a camera.

I'm not talking about the professional ones but a decent one. That takes really good pictures and you can put them online.

Why? Well because there are so many treasures around my house and I'm dying to share them with you all. Morning Side Park alone has a shitload of treasures. Last year was a perfect example because I found a Tiger Swallowtail on a button bush. Came out of nowhere. We NEVER get them over here.

Not to mention 20 some odd Red Admirals, Cloudless Sulphers, Eastern Tailed Blues, Silver Spotted Skippers, shitloads of flowers.....God damn it I want them now. *^^*

But it won't be long now. Hellebores are already out.....*shocking* But when they really start coming out (Late March- Onward) I'll be ready. Oh yes I'll be ready and waiting.

Bring it on! ^_______^

Insect Books

Insect Books 곤충 책들:

*Listing all the ones I have (not including "kiddy" ones but I have those too)

Simon & Schuster's Guide To Insects
Dr. Ross H. Arnett, Jr. & Dr. Richard L. Jacques Jr.
ISBN: 0-671-25014-0

Horrible Science: Ugly Bugs
Nick Arnold
ISBN: 0-590-13858-8

National Wildlife Federation: Field Guide To Insects & Spiders of N. America
Arthur V. Evans
ISBN-13: 978-1-4027-4153-1
ISBN -10: 1-4027-4153-7

*I got this from the library and wasn't able to return it due to circumstances beyond my control. It's mine now. MWAHAHAHAHAHA! >:) *^^*

Jungle Bugs Masters of Camouflage and Mimicry
Bruce Perser
ISBN: 1-55297-663-7

*Was a gift from Theresa many years ago. Gracias!

Hebrew Book
Don't know anything about it other then it was a gift and it's about insects. XD
Will edit later after research.

A Pocket Guide: Butterflies & Moths
Elizabeth Balmer
ISBN: 978-1-4054-8803-7

1000 Facts On Bugs
Barbara Taylor
ISBN- 13: 978-0-7607-6843-3
ISBN- 10: 0-7607-6843-9

Peterson Field Guides: Eastern Butterflies
Paul A. Opler/Vichai Malikul
ISBN- 13: 978-0-395-90453-4
ISBN- 10: 0-395-90453-6

Eyewitness Handbooks: Butterflies and Moths
David Carter
ISBN: 1-56458-034-2

*I uh, took this from a library when I was younger......I was a bad bad child. >:) OCD had a big part in it too and I didn't have much control over it then. X_X

Tiger Moths & Woolly Bears: Behavior, Ecology, & Evolution of the Arctiidae
William E. Carter
ISBN: 978-0-19-532737-3

There will be more to come cause naturally I have many more. *^^* The Hebrew book I will look into later as I have some research on that to do.

Damn the fact I'm not familiar with it. Korean yes (cause I'm learning it) Hebrew nope. ^^; Also once I figure out how to remove the watermark from said pic expect another edit.

Until next time. Expect an edit ASAP, and more lists. *^^*

충국 곤충들 "커믹"

This is just too cute! *^^* I wonder what they're saying though. I don't know Chinese. XD

Zombie Cockroaches

This is.......*no words*. Will be doing further research on said wasp later.

Original Linky: Here

Bugs in Korean! 곤충 한국말! *^^*

Doing this since I'm bored! And since I'm learning Korean I figure why not rant about the buggy part of it. *^^*

Bugs 곤충/벌레:

Bug, Insect: 곤충
Cockroach: 바퀴벌레
Butterfly: 나비
Moth: 나방
Caterpillar: 쐐기벌레
Worm: 벌레
Bed Bug: 빈대
Beetle: 큰 망치, 딱정벌레?
Spider: 거미
Water Spider: 물거미
Male Spider: 수거미
Spider (Mendoza pulchra) 수검은깡충거미
Grasshopper: 베짱이, 메뚜기
Mole Cricket: 땅강아지
Cricket: 귀뚜라미, (귀뚜리 shortened form)

More to come! *Is also well aware that all in the list aren't insects* :P

Redbacks

It's about time for another mention of our 8 legged friends. This time Redbacks in the form of videos.......Part 1

Enjoy! Terribly fascinating I tell you. Thank God we don't get these here. :P



Now this is fascinating. I never knew that they catch their pray similarly to another spider I can't think of atm (expect an edit).

And to think of the Redback as a possible import?! 0_0 More to come!

0.0 JACKPOT!

Just hit the mother load right now.

CLICKY!

"Biologia Centrali-Americana" is a GOD SEND! In other words you need to read this.

*Goes to browse*

Kabutos!

In Asia they do some pretty crazy stuff with insects besides eating them. :P

Like in Japan they had this "Coleoptera Cock fight" with Herculese beetles and the like by putting different species from all over the world against each other to see which one will win.

Crazy I know but it's entertaining and very surprising.



Intro.

Sorry it isn't subbed. If I find a subbed version I'll post it.



Priceless. I love this.



Some of these are simply amazing and others will leave you with your jaw on the ground asking "How is this possible?!" Others will make you laugh. XD

Not going to elaborate.......you'll just have to watch and find out. *^^*

정말 귀엽다 차이니즈 매미 파트2

ᄏᄏᄏ 귀엽......♡ *^^*

정말 귀엽다 차이니즈 매미 파트1

So cute! Idk what it says cause I don't know Chinese but I had these for a while. I know Korean (learning it......need a tutor) but Chinese? X_X

So if anyone can tell me what it says let me know. *^^*

Papilio torquatus Entry 2

Papilio torquatus M one of the subspecies since it's not the "typical" one.

Holy. Shit. My theories were right. I dropped a line on my friend's FB and he confirmed my suspicions and canceled any doubts.

To quote Ben:

"Brittany, this certainly is a female P. torquatus. Not only that, but many cases of sexual dimorphism in the Papilio family are a mimicry-related shifts in Papilio females looking to protect themselves by appearing as toxic males or females of other Papilio species. You might want to look into "Mimetic butterflies support Wallace’s model of sexual dimorphism" by Krushnamegh Kunte, Proceedings of the Royal Society B (2008) 275, 1617–1624."

Smh......incredible. I will be looking into that most definitely. I also managed to find out something about them via a Russian butterfly site.

Habitat of the Papilio torquatus stretches from Mexico to Bolivia. Females lay eggs on citrus fruits, which grow to a height of 800 m above sea level.

The males fly swiftly on forest edges and clearings. In the morning they feed on nectar, and in the afternoon rush to the sandbanks of the rivers, where they drink water with dissolved inorganic substances. Females do not leave the shady forests.

Had to edit this a bit obviously. But damn.

Papilio torquatus Entry 1

Female P. torquatus? Or is it hiding something......???

Oh yes there will be another entry on these butterflies. But for now this is just a rant of sorts on a discovery. I'm just ranting theories. I had done some searching on Papilio torquatus earlier today and I wanted to find out more (there isn't anything on them apparently).

What I did find is a site with pictures of the butterfly along with this one in the photos stating that it was a female.......0_0

I don't think so. Unless........leading to this theory I have of they're possibly being....

Sexually Dismorphic Papilionidae

Now there are sexually dismorphic species of butterflies but none of them are Papilionids to my knowledge. In other words Swallowtails. If this is true then this is extreme. As in it looks nothing like the supposed male. Mind boggling.

Head's feeling weird now from thinking on it all. I'll go ask a friend who would most likely know the answer and get back to you. The butterfly in the photo reminds me of cattlehearts and other similarly colored/patterned species.

I smell foul play. But like I say "Never assume anything about the insect world. You'll be proven wrong 99% of the time".

*Goes to drop a line about this on Ben's FB*

Wasp Video

Amazing video despite a few errors. *^^*

Rant :P

Working on making up post for January and February. You can thank Cimex lectularius and Blatella germanica for keeping me too busy and stressed to update frequently.

There are also other "forces" so to speak involved in this mess too but it's coming together. I haven't gone anywhere I'm just extremely tied up. Working on doing at least 2 entries a day possibly more when I'm not cleaning or too tired. XD

The "Hall of Shame" thingy is in the works. Guess who's on it? >:)