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. ^^;;

The Insects of Morningside Park

A little "field guide" or list to all the insects successfully identified in my beloved park with notes and observations.....♥

Butterflies - Lepidoptera:

1. Cabbage White (Pieris rapae)
2. Clouded Sulpher (Colias philodice) *Could also be Colias eurytheme but most like it's C. philodice although we could also be getting C. eurytheme too. Idk.....*^^*
3. Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)
4. Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) *First 2 this year. Got to hold the second one on July 8th 2011. Epicness
5. Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) *Black form of female 08-17-11
6. Silver Spotted Skipper (Epargyreus clarus)
7. Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus)
8. Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
9. Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) *2009
10. Eastern Comma (Polygonia comma)
10a. Fritillary (Speyeria sp.)? *2009, larger then Silvery Checkerspot Adding from memory
11. Monarch (Danaus plexippus)

Moths - Lepidoptera:

12. Case Bearers (Colephora sp.)? *Tiny beige moths in grass fly off a few feet and settle down when disturbed. Masters of camouflage. I had the name of these things (at least down to genus/family) at one point but I forgot. XD Research!
13. Pale Beauty (Campaea perlata)
14. Hummingbird Clearwing (Hemaris thysbe) *H. deffinis I might've also seen too. Once not too sure.

Beetles - Coleoptera:

15. Asian Ladybug (Harmonia axyridis)
16. Redish Brown Stag Beetle (Lucanus capreolus)

Leafhoppers - Cicadellidae

16. Red & Green Leafhopper (Graphocephala coccinea)
17. Microsteles sp. *Still somewhat of a mystery because I know I have seen these before with the name.

Grasshoppers/Crickets - Orthoptera:

18. Katydid (Microcentrum rhombifolium)

Dragonflies & Damselflies - Odonata:

19. Black Saddlebags (Tramea lacerata)
20. Blue Dasher (Pachydiplax longipennis)
21. Eastern Amberwing (Perithemis tenera) *Took me a whole year to ID these. xP

Bees, Wasps, & Ants - Hymenoptera:

Bees:

22. Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
23. Impatient Bumblebee (Bombus impatiens)
23a. American Bumblebee (Bombus pennsylvanicus) *Possibly
24. Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica)
25. Melissodes bimaculata
26. Giant Resin Bee (Megachile sculpteralus)
27. Digger Bees (Melissodes sp.)
27a. Nomad Bee (Nomada sp.)? *Possibly Triepeolus sp. & other similar looking bees within Nomadinae
28. Sweat Bee (Agapostemon splendens)
29. Leafcutter Bee (Megachile sp.) *Numerous species Possibly non Megachile too.
30. Coelioxys sp.?
31. Wool Carter Bee (Anthidium manicatum)

Wasps:

32. European Paperwasp (Polistes dominula)
33. Hoplisoides sp.
34. Ancistrocerus sp.
35. Cicada Killer (Sphecius speciosus)
36. Yellowjacket (Vespula sp.) *Either V. germanica or V. maculifrons *male
37. Great Golden Digger Wasp (Sphex ichneumoneus) *Possibly Also might be the three wasp I saw this year. Coloration matches this one too. Don't know about the legs though.
38. Mud Dauber (Chalybion sp.) *Might also be Sphex pensylvanicus
39. Cecercis fumipennis

Ants:

40. Lasius nearticus
40a. Black Garden Ant (Lasius niger) *Most likely since I've seen black ones.
41. Eastern Black Carpenter Ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) *Don't see these anymore.....

Flies - Diptera:

42. American Hoverfly (Eupeodes americanus)
43. Pseudodoris clavatus, or Ocyptamus sp.
44. Condylostylus sp.
45. Ornate Snipe Fly (Chrysopilus ornatus) *Or a relative of some sort. Bugguide doesn't mention C. ornatus occuring anywhere near NYC just North Carolina. Must do further research.

True Bugs - Heteroptera:

46. Lygus Bugs (Lygus sp.)
47. Heterotoma merioptera
48. Lopidea sp. *Bugguide's mystery bug. Everyone's trying to narrow it down to species

Spiders - Araneae

49. Leucauge sp.
50. Clubiona sp.
50a. Cheiracanthium sp.
51. Araneus diadematus? *Or something very similar

Lacewings - Neuroptera

52. Green Lacewings (Chrysopa, Chrysoperla sp.) *No way of knowing which ones.

Centipedes & Millipedes - Myriapoda

Millipedes (Diplopoda):

53. Cylindroiulus caeruleocinctus? *Nothing else comes to mind
54. Greenhouse Millipede (Oxidus gracilis)

Centipedes (Chilopoda):

55. Stone Centipedes (Lithobiomorpha) Zygethobius ecologus? *Only one listed in BG. Range is not given. Guessing.

*Note: This list will change. There's always something new popping up in that park. Can't wait for next year to see what it is. ^______^

Epic Observations

Went to the park today proceeded to witness epicness:

@wapogipo88
Brittanie McCormack 3-4 European Paper Wasps, 1 bee (Anthidium sp.?), Cabbage whites, 2 Graphocephala coccinea, 1 Female blue dasher (?) 1 12-spotted skimmer.
Aug 31 via webFavoriteRetweetReply

What a buggy day indeed. Totally loving it. I got pictures of said female blue dasher. Not too sure yet if it is one. Don't remember them having orange stigmata. This one had orange ones.

Interesting!

@wapogipo88
Brittanie McCormack 1 Perithemis tenera, 1 Mystery Leaf hopper (Research!), Bumble bees & 1 Monarch butterfly! Yay! I can now add it my list! Hope to see more!
Aug 31 via webFavoriteRetweetReply

Yay! ^________^

The Hall of Shame - Bed Bugs (Cimex lectularius)

Funny..........then how come my couches are gone?!

Long long ago when you were a wee little lad and your parents tucked you into bed they often told you "Sleep tight don't let the bedbugs bite......."

You, being the naive young child probably thought that "Bed Bugs" were something cute and cuddly that your parents made up and were perfect harmless fabrications of your mommy and daddy's minds.......nothing to worry about right?"

W.R.O.N.G.

As we all know bed bugs are very real and not some sick twisted fabrication of some fucked up folklore although I wish (and the rest of the world does too) they were. New York (and the rest of America), as we also all know is in the middle of what Animal Planet had so kindly called it "The Bed Bug Apocalypse".

Scared yet? You should be. I know I am........

.....You see (there's no kind way to put this) people have died trying to get rid of these things simply because they have no knowledge and have never had to deal with something like this.......ever.

That and they're stupid. One man lit his house on fire so to speak because he tried killing them with rubbing alcohol.....stupid stupid fool. While apparently rubbing alcohol does kill them it's not worth destroying your house and possibly killing yourself in the process.

Nope. I'd fine other means. Safer means.......

Exterminators are one way. As we all know the little bastards are becoming more resistant to pesticides, but it doesn't make them unkillable. The one thing they cannot resist or fight in anyway is heat. Heat is the No.1 enemy of Bedbugs.......there's no coming back from being baked at 140 degrees.

But not everyone can afford to pay to get their entire house heated up to insane degrees cause that shit is expensive. But it works.

So why doesn't some entomological genius use this valuable information and start working on figuring out something that the general public can afford to use and is most importantly 1000000000000% safe to use?

Come on America!!

To be continued.....with "The Evil Lives of Bedbugs" Hehehehe *^^*

Psychodidae Invasion

Clogmia albipunctata life cycle. *Note: Pupae is not of Psychodidae.

So for the past 2 months I believe (June-July) I've been seeing quite alot of Moth flies in my house. I have never........I repeat never have had this many in my house ever. Once in a blue moon one would come in but I would normally see most of them outside on the windows in the lobby.

So what's different this year that they came into my house "one by one" and so many? Must've seen about 10- 20 in the course of 2 months! The only idea that comes to mind that's most definitely different this year is the weather. We've gotten a shitload of rain it's not even funny.

And Psychodidae love moist areas. Hence why they live in your drains and are also called Drain flies. But 99% (if not 100%) of all the ones I saw this year were in my house. Mind you it wasn't "out of hand" but it was like every other day or so I'd find one on the walls in my kitchen or bathroom or flying towards my computer screen.

What the hell was going on here? The only thing different in my house is that the furniture is gone (Thank you Cimex! *Sarcasm*). They could've also gotten in somehow too. But once again is why? If they came into my house like everything else does why so many? What's in my house that they love so much?

Mind you I'm not complaining I'm just curious. Then there's the matter of them being called Psychodidae. Get it? >:) Have they finally lost it or something? While I'm at it I'll list the other "insect invasions" we've had:

2010:

Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta)

Saw 14 of them in one day. That year we got a large influx of them. This year I didn't see one. Interesting........

Convergent Lady Bug (Hippodamia convergens)

Saw more of these then I did of Harmonia axyridis at some points. 0_0

2011:

Lacewings (Chrysopa, Chrysoperla sp.)

Not gonna even begin with these. TONS of them this year.

Eastern Commas (Polygonia comma)

Saw maybe 20 in one day.......0_0 Mass emergence perhaps?

Can't think of any more but I have to wonder about all of this.........fascinating. Getting back to Psychodidae.........why Pyschodidae? What's so crazy about them? They're actually (Clogmia albipunctata don't know about other species although I'd imagine other ones too) very very important insects as they help keep our sewage systems clean by feeding on the algae.

No one wants an algae clogged up sewer spilling it's guts everywhere. But again why the "Psycho" in Psychodidae?

I need an origin of names here on Psychodidae!! Anyone care to explain?

Appreciate it immensely. Be on the look out for part 2!

I'm Alive :P

This is a fill in for this day obviously.

Just wanted to let you know that I'm alive. :P Said hurricane turned into a tropical storm by the time it reached us. Wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Power stayed intact (sp?) (we disconected everything though just incase) and I had plenty of crackers, chips, fruit preserve thingies, chips, sodas, books, and music holed up in my little "hidey hole" (that sounds so wrong. XD) a.k.a the bathroom.

So I was "ok". Scared shitless but alive. :P Now I must go do fill ins because I obviously missed a few days. ^___________^ This was one of them.

God bless you all. ♥

☆ SPECIAL NOTICE! ☆

I have no idea on how I even begin to say this. Tomorrow we're supposed to be getting a freaking hurricane........they're expecting the power to go out and everyone's "running around like crazy" making preparations. And I mean everyone. In other words I have no idea when I'll update this thing again.

I'll make it ASAP I promise you I just wanted to let you know. I've got enough going on as it is I don't need this too. This year has been quite eventful not to mention stressful so I haven't been blogging much I know. I'm trying to make up for it but it's hard. Consider this day "Mass posting day". Filling in all the posts I can.

Not to mention I'm scared shitless but who isn't at this point? Oh did I mention this in NEW YORK CITY?!!! Yes, we're having fucking hurricanes in the freaking city. And Manhatten (the borough that I live btw) is supposed to get the worst of it.

Holy shit.......

Regardless of where you are stay safe and God bless........God have mercy please.

On The Buggy Side of Things:

When stuff like this happens I have to wonder where all the bugs go? Yesterday the cicadas were singing again......I wonder if they somehow sense what's going on? Mind you it was much much less then what they've been usually doing.

As for other insects Idk.......I haven't been able to get out too much this August to observe them. You can thank the fucking weather being messed up as hell for it but when I did it ensued in epicness. You shall hear about said epicness and also a list of all the successfully identified insects at my precious park. "A Field Guide To The Insects of Morning Side" if you will.

↑ I really like the name of that. *Gets ideas* ^____^

I love you all......♥ God bless you.

The Great Carpenter Bee Mystery

Xylocopa virginica virginica subspecies of X. virginica....Eastern Carpenter Bee. Really? Subspecies now? Oh Lord.......X_X

How do I even begin with this......? Ok I've been seeing 3 bees that resemble a "Carpenter Bee" in coloration/patterning and "size". There was a 4th bee but I've already ID'd that one. Megachile sculpturalis. Giant Resin Bee. So that's over and done with.

Now the three other ones I'm seeing.......1 is Bombus impatiens (in the beginning I thought it was Bombus pennsylvanicus but I think that was a bout of insanity on that one) the other is definitely Xylocopa (shiny abdomen and HUGE) and the other is what's stumping me.

It looks like a smaller (bigger then a honey bee, about the size of Melissoides bimaculata give or take a few) B. impatiens. Is this the male? It definitely is not a Carpenter Bee. So what the hell is it?

Male Bombus impatiens?? But why are they pollinating flowers then? Male bees DO NOT have pollen baskets. They're main purpose in life is to bang the queen and die. What they do after screwing Your Majesty depends on the species but they all die sooner or later. So WTF is going on here?

HELP! I'm going to try and get back to the park ASAP and have a look at the smaller ones. A good good look.

Damn it this is confusing:

1. Giant Resin Bee (Megachile sculturalis) o

I had mistaken these to be males of Bombus pennsylvanicus during a moment of lack of knowledge and insanity. My apologies. ^^;;

2. Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica, X. v. virginica) o

Idk if the subspecies occurs here but I wouldn't be surprised if it did. They all look alike to me. X_X Must train my eyes better.

4. "Impatient" Bumble (Bombus impatiens) o

More then certain on this one as B. pennsylvanicus has a "form" (Have to look into this more to know exactly what this is) that I don't see here at all.

5. "Mystery Bee" (Bombus, Xylocopa, Other) x

This is the one that making me go nuts. X_X It has fuzz on it's abdomen so I guess that rules out Xylocopa.......sooo then Bombus sp.? Male B. impatiens? WHAT IS IT?!

Research! I'll get back to you.......why must you all look so similar?! -_-

Cicada Mania Part 2

Tosema depicta from Borneo Malaysia. The Tosema genus and others have some of the most beautiful cicadas I've ever seen......♥ And there's nothing on them. Grrrr.....>:(

After today's epic observations I have now no doubt that there's more then one species of cicada singing here. I don't remember how they all sounded and to look through only God knows how many recordings of their songs to find each one from memory.......is a little much don't you think?

However this will not stop me from speculating and ranting. Wild guesses: They're all Tibicen species. Which ones? I know Tibicen tibicen for sure and after that I haven't the slightest clue. XD I'd have to do more research.

Observations:

They were singing like mad at the pool today to the point I was hoping I would get to see one. That sadly didn't happen. I was standing right over them underneath a Japanese Pagoda Tree hoping one would fly down or something. No such luck.

Damn you vegetation. :P But it was wonderful (as always) to hear them singing. It got to the point where cicadas in trees on the other side of the street would start singing too!

Holy just thinking about gets me on a high. Looks like I'll have to do research after all on this as I want possible names to all the participants that weren't already known. *^^* Expect an edit shortly along with linkies.

God I love Cicadas........♥

Edit: Trying a little something different

Why is twitter so over capacitated today? Eh anywho: 1 Pieris rapae, 2 European Paper Wasps, Bumble bees, & Mystery black bees at the pool.less than a minute ago via Tweet Button Favorite Retweet ReplyBrittanie McCormack
wapogipo88

My tweet detailing the epicness that I was able to observe. I wonder what those bees were? Too big to be Melissodes bimaculata......sooooo?

Off to do research now! Back in a bit.

The Celastrina Mystery

The "Holly Blue" (Celastrina argiolus) which is my first time seeing this butterfly listed with this common name. I have always seen them listed as "Spring Azures".......interesting.

The genus Celastrina (Lycaenidae) is a mystery to me simply because they all look alike. There has been "speculation" (Idk whether this was a joke or not) on whether or not the entire Celastrina genus was one big mega species.

I mean Celastrina argiolus has fourteen different subspecies alone (See Wikipedia) as well as 6 different seasonal forms according to The Butterflies of North Amerca: A Natural History and Field Guide (James A. Scott). ← Look! I'm promoting! Go buy it now! But does this answer the question alone?

Is Celastrina one big mega species or not?

This is something that appears to already have an answer from what I'm understanding. For instance upon further research before typing up this entry I have realized that I could be seeing three different "species" of Celastrina!!

1. Holly Blue/Spring Azure (Celastrina argiolus)
2. Summer Azure (Celastrina neglecta)
3. Holly Azure (Celastrina idella)

All 3 occur in the Eastern United States.....all 3 look like what I'm seeing in my park and around my house. All 3 are absolutely gorgeous. :P All 3 are proceeding to baffle my poor brains trying to figure them out. X_X

The reason I wrote 'species' as "species" is because C. ladon is/or was once considered to be a subspecies of C. argiolus. (See Wikipedia and do extra research) C. ladon doesn't occur over here......no matter what it is (species subspecies) they're found elsewhere.

Confused yet? >:) Basically it's this: Celastrina in general is being questioned as it being one big insanely variable species. All my books are speaking of them as if the "mystery" has already been solved and I'm just questioning what's already known to "everyone else".

But my books give no mention on this at all. No mention of Celastrina being one big mega species. No mention of this even being considered. However......there is this:

Azures: Celastrina Tutt:

The Azures are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere and are all very similar. In North America this maybe our most poorly understood group. Before 1972 where it was shown that Celastrina nigra was a separate species we thought there was only one azure. Now we know that there are at least three, and very probably there are at least several other sibling host-plant specialists.

Our most commonest species Celastrina argiolus is quite variable geographically and seasonally. The caterpillars are tended by ants and the winter is spent in the chrysalis.

~ Peterson Field Guide: Eastern Butterflies Copyright infringement is not intended I needed to quote this for obvious reasons.....please don't sue. :P

B.U.S.T.E.D.!

At least partially. :P At least this implies that the "mystery" has indeed somewhat been solved. And I wonder if the three species that are mentioned are the three that I mentioned that occur in the Eastern United States. And then there's this on the ID of Celastrina idella quoted from Bugguide:

"Dr. David Wright (22 Jan '06) believes this could be a Holly Azure. First described in 1999 it is known from Aiken Co., SC. A Spring-flying species that resembles the Summer Azure. Summer Azures do have a Spring emergence in some localities - hence the confusion. Summer Azures are predominantly found in association with Black Cherry (Prunus serotina). Holly Azures are associated with Holly (Ilex spp.). Summer Azures perch with wings vertical above body; Holly Azures perch with wings partly spread at 30-45 degrees. This specimen has its wings partly spread.
Identification may come down to habitat: are there Holly species in the immediate area?
I am placing it as a Holly Azure so that photographers can be made aware of this species and hopefully get some more images in 2006."

- Tony-2 from Bugguide

There is Holly at that park and there might be Black Cherry too. Lord knows there's tons of trees/shrubs that bear black/dark dark purple berries at some point. Bugguide had also said that any species seen after July 1st may be Celastrina neglecta......that is of course assuming C. argiolus doesn't have a summer form (and I bet you it does). X_X

Someone shoot me! Cyren!! What would you know about this?!! Have you heard of the Celastrina? I will be doing further research into this. This obviously includes asking people. XD

OH FUN! Lepidoptera why must you be so confusing?! @_@