Chasing Monarchs

Monarch (Danus plexippus) Female 10-06-11

I was supposed to show you these last year but I got sidetracked with other lepidopteran epicness. This gorgeous specimen was observed in my beloved park 2 days before the opening of the butterfly exhibit.....as if it knew.....*Happy sigh*

It also has occurred to me that of all the monarchs I've seen throughout my life time I've never gotten to hold one. 0_0 I came very close to doing so back in 2008 but not exactly. ^^;; I'll have to try and change that this year.



Observations:

It was flying through the baseball field along with Colias philodice (yes I chased them too), Pieris rapae, a very tiny mystery moth, and various feeding dragonflies swarming above. This beauty had come out of nowhere and was too far away at first for me to see what it was but as I got closer it was quite obviously a monarch. *^^*

I then proceeded to try and get pictures of it which at first it was having none of it. Everytime I got close enough to snap a photo or try and pick it up it was off again flying through the fields so graceful yet strong. Eventually I had to stop being "selfish" (I was trying to get it on my hand I think I might've been scaring it a little *^^*) and just try and get at least one picture.

I got 5. ^______^ I figured let me let it calm down and then gently approach it again. I think it was one of the ones that just didn't like being touched?

Idk about anyone else but I'm convinced that butterflies have personalities like we do. Some are shy some are friendly and some like playing tricks on you. ^^ Such delightful creatures. Anyway throughout my chasing this thing through the fields I observed bundles of epicness. Dragonflies, Sulphers, Cabbage whites, and a mystery moth that was very tiny and the color of the sand. *^^*



I wonder what it was doing in that field? For some odd reason after I took the 5th picture my leg had seized up and sorta went numb....dunno why. I've chased plenty of butterflies before and this never happened. So to not risk falling and busting my ass I sat down and took a well needed rest and just watched the dragonflies and all the Pierids flying throughout the field. I felt so peaceful.

By this time the monarch had went on it's merry way. I hope it had a successful journey and laid lots of healthy eggs.



Ohhhhhh I forgot there's this one I observed on 09-12-11:



This one was flying around this cute little Butterfly bush. I must find a way to zoom in on this one so you can see it better. ^^

I've ramble enough. Toodles!

Cattlehearts (Parides sp.)

Parides gundalachianus



Parides ascanius

Been doing research and I found these. Holy shit they're gorgeous!! Parides is very quickly becoming one of my favorite genera within the Papilionidae. Upon my research of these I have also think I figured out at least one of the Parides species at the exhibit.

I think it might be Parides arcus I'll have to confirm this later.

Mystery Butterfly #2 Mechanitis sp.

Ithomiinae

Mechanitis sp.

But which one? My friend Ben had guessed it was Mechanitis menapis. The closest I could come to in that regard was Mechanitis menapis occasiva which is very very similar if not for a few differences in the patterns.

When I sent the photo to Kim Garwood (the women is legend) she told me something very interesting (in general) about ID'ing butterflies in exhibits. She told me that it was hard to do so because in the butterfly farms where these come from they often experiment (for lack of better wording) and get weird hybrids.

So now I'm wondering if this butterfly could also be a hybrid between 2 somethings (Mechanitis sp. definitely)? My other question is are Mechanitis sexually dimorphic? During research on these I have wondered greatly on this.......



Little fuzzy but the underside of this bad boy. *^^*

Is there anyway to know for sure exactly what this is? Both photos taken at NHM Butterfly Exhibit 10-08-11

Reserved

Reserved

Rant

Something I've noticed.......

The Lepidoptera have pretty much taken over this blog. Hehehehehe ^^;; I've been brainwashed by them completely. And I didn't think it was possible but I definitely know for sure now that I've fallen in love with them again.

Has anyone else noticed this magnetic pull that they seem to have? I love all my creepy crawly friends for various reasons. The Hymenoptera have such fascinating rich lives it's like a drama and I think I'll be looking into them in more depth this year definitely.

The Cicadas.........you already know how I feel about them. They were epic last year. BEST concert put on by them yet. I'm hoping to see one this year. *Crosses fingers*

The rest of the Homoptera and Hemiptera I adore and wish there were more books on them so I could learn more about them. The Coleoptera are intriguing and there have been lots of new ones popping up lately that I've never seen before. Loving it. Keep it up!

Diptera are fascinating, beautiful, and some I don't mess with (Deerflies/Horseflies pack a WHOLLOP sp?) their life histories are also fascinating and slightly disgusting. ^^;; But they produce some very interesting individuals.

And the Spiders whose presence in my house has not only been EPIC (still don't know where they're all coming from) but beneficial as they've popped up when I needed a little cheering up (see what I mean when I say they somehow know? Thank you God) and I also think might've had a hand in Cimex "disappearing". Will get more into that later.

The Odonata.........*Happy sigh* Beautiful creatures. Love love them and they too have been epic and I look forward to properly spending time with them this year hopefully IDing even more with the help of epic field guides *^^*

And the Othoptera they're adorable and their songs are delightful and I enjoy listening to them immensely. I hope to see more of Microcentrum rhombifolium and other species that might be hiding. I want diversity!!

And all the rest......can't list them all there's too many. ^^

But the Lepidoptera........they have something that's unique about them and extra special to me. Idk what it is but I'm thankful for it because they make me feel peaceful, happy, nostalgically warm and fuzzy and they're fascinating as hell and just as "drama" like as the Hymenopterans with their lives. They just do it gracefully. It's like you can't get mad at Notocrypta curvifasciata for devouring said Hymenopterans.......in it's adult form!!!

They're amazing.......Idk how else to describe it. And they have their own Anthem too that's a part of my childhood and oozes warm happy memories for me with raising Painted Ladies and catching Tiger Swallowtails at camp........*happy sigh*

I'll post said anthem later it's from A Bug's Life soundtrack. *^^* Once again I've rambled enough. But does anyone know what I'm talking about when I say there's something about Lepidoptera that just sucks you in? (Pun intended get it? ^^)

God bless my little insecty arachnidy friends. I wuv u ♥

(Buggy) Resolutions

Personal:

1. Complete all personal "affairs".
2. Keep my mouth shut. *^^*
3. Try and relax more
4. Put OCD in its place (corresponds to No.3)

Buggy:

1. Kill all Cimex lectularius. All Mothers & Children, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents & Cousins must be slaughtered and removed from this vicinity.

↑ I haven't seen too many in a looooong time. It's like they vanished! They're still here but very few? What's going on? Major cleaning is in order to help the mysterious force(s) killing them.

2. ACTIAS LUNAAAAAAAAA!
3. As many more visits to that blessed exhibit as possible. RESEARCH LIBRARY
4. My "Birthday present" That MAGNUM OPUS of a book on my Hymenopteran friends. Save save save $$$$$
5. Bug catching equipment (need new nets!)
6. National Moth Week!!

↑ I really want to try and do this. Don't know how but I'll be recording and ID'ing all the moths I come across this year to the best of my ability.

I'll be doing this with every insect I see actually. I'm gonna try experimenting with them this year to see what's out at different times and hopefully different places. *^^*

Happy New Year *Rant*

It's that time of year again. To start planning for epicness and to also get some very important personal affairs over and done with. And then to hopefully relax properly.

I only managed to somewhat achieve that in "half" last year (Thank you Lepidoptera). I must try harder this year. I hope to be successful.....out with the stress in with the rest!! ^________^ Aaaany waaay...^^;; I'm half way done with achieving my lunas!!

$57.00 more dollars and they're mine!! Why so much you ask? Cause I'm ordering them from Carolina science and I have also buy an enclosure to keep them in to make sure they eclose properly.......then I'll have them flying around my house.

Then there's the shipping and state tax soooo ^^;; It's all worth it though. And there's also nets too. I have to get one before they emerge.......how else will I'll put them back when play time is over? :P

Must go start looking. I'll rant more on my plans later. Toodles!

2011 Buggy Highlights And A Letter to Lepidoptera

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

July 8th 2011:

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

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

July 22nd 2011

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

July 26th 2011

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

July 28th 2011

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

August 1st onward

CICADA MANIAAAAAA!!!!!

October 8th 2011

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

November 5th 2011

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

November 8th 2011

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

December 24th 2011

Third visit to my precious.......♥

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

A Letter To Lepidoptera:

To my Fluttering diurnal & nocturnal friends:

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

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

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



10-08-11

THANK YOU!

A Field Guide To The Insects of Morningside Park Part 2

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


Continued from this entry.

Butterflies & Moths Lepidoptera:

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

Flies Diptera

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

Beetles Coleoptera:

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

Spiders

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

Miscellaneous:

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

Once again the list will change/get updated.

Mystery Danaid Butterfly Danaus vulgaris?

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

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

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

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

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



Does this help with ID?

Observations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

곤충학!

나비목:

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

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

왕나비아과 Danainae
줄나비아과 Limenitidinae
모르포나비아과 Morphinae

FUN! 어떤 재미~~~^^♥

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

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

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

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

Observations:

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

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



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

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

I look forward to going back......♥

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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

God bless you all. ♥

A Very Lepidoptery Christmas

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

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

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

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

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

New Additions:

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

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

Yay!

Random Photos

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



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



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

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

*Speechless*

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

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

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

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

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

To quote it again:

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

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

Books! (Lepidoptery Buggy Goodness) ♥

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

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

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

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

Lepidopteran Goodies:

The Butterflies of Costa Rica Philip J. Devries

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

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

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

Butterflies in General

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Toodles!

The Jumping Cockroach: Saltoblattella montistabularis

Hell it even look like a cricket/immature grasshopper!

Ladies and Gentleman,

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

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

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



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

The Huff Post
National Geographic

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

Nesting Behavior of Abispa ephippium

For Azudo, I hope this clears something up.

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

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

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

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

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

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

-Azudo

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

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

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



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

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

Poor baby......=(



Pseudabispa paragioides

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

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