Bug Of The Month Blue Ladybugs

Yes these are real. You get 2 different species today. Enjoy

Metallic Blue Ladybug - Curinus coeruleus

Identification:

Blue with two orange markings on the pronotum (hard shell between wings and head).

Range:

Native to the Caribbean but widely introduced for biological control. Apparently imported to Florida from Mexico in the 1950s.

Food:

Normally scale insects (order Homoptera, suborder Coccoidea), but also will feed on aphids and the Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri)

Remarks:

One of only two blue lady beetles in the U.S

Thalasa montezumae

Not much on this one. They feed on scale insects. I'll definitely keep looking. Thalassa montezumae is the one on the top.

Aren't they pretty? Info and photos from Bugguide. Copyright infringement not intended.

Locust Are Kinda Scary.....

......but fascinating too.

Enjoy!

Silk thread hunting trap - Sir David Attenborough's Life in the Undergrowth - BBC wildlife

This is amazing!

Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Wishing everyone a good one!

Love you all!

The 5 Most Horrifying Bugs in the World

Clicky!

I thought this was hilarious! They should do something like "The 5 Most Horrifying Arachnids in the World" because they're some pretty bad ass arachnids out there.

Enjoy.....I hope that I didn't give you nightmares....XD

Weird mating calls of the leopard slug - Life in the Undergrowth - BBC Attenborough

I thought this was beautiful.

What about you?

OMG! Parasitic Woodlice?!

Apparently so I learned about them today in a book called Extreme Nature and they were mentioned. This is what Wikipedia had to say about them:

Cymothoa exigua or the Tongue eating louse is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae. It tends to be 3 to 4 cm long. This parasite enters through the gills, and then attaches itself at the base of the spotted rose snapper's (Lutjanus guttatus) tongue.

It then proceeds to extract blood through the claws on its front and less blood reaches the tongue, and eventually the organ atrophies from lack of blood. The parasite then replaces the fish's tongue by attaching its own body to the muscles of the tongue stub. The fish is able to use the parasite just like a normal tongue.

It appears that the parasite does not cause any other damage to the host fish. Once C. exigua replaces the tongue, some feed on the host's blood and many others feed on fish mucus. They do not eat scraps of the fish's food.

This is the only known case of a parasite functionally replacing a host organ. It is currently believed that C. exigua are not harmful to humans unless picked up alive, in which case they can bite.

~Wikipedia

Well if I ever see one I'm not touching it. And it is an Isopod and so are woodlice, so woodlice are isopods and isopods are woodlice etc. :P

Who knew huh? Next thing you know they're gonna be saying they're parasitic millipedes or something.....<_<>_> O_O

Photo and info from Wikipedia

Red Back Spider - Attenborough: Life in the Undergrowth - BBC

I just learned something new today.

Enjoy!

Summons of the Queen ant - Ant Attack - BBC

The males of this species are called Sausage Flies.

Blue Ants?!

The blue ant (Diamma bicolor, also known as the blue-ant or bluebottle) is, despite its name and its appearance, not an ant at all, but rather a species of large solitary parasitic wasp sometimes known as a flower wasp.

It is a native of south and southeast Australia, including the Australia states of Tasmania, New South Wales,Victoria and South Australia. It is the sole member of the subfamily Diamminae, and is both morphologically and behaviorally unusual among members of the family Tiphiidae.

Blue ants have a distinctive metallic blue-green body, with red legs. The female ranges up to 25 mm (1 inch) in length, is wingless and ground-dwelling, and exclusively hunts mole crickets, whereas all other species of tiphiids attack beetle larvae.

The cricket is paralyzed with venom injected by the female's stinger and an egg is laid upon it so the wasp larva has a ready supply of food. The male is smaller, approximately 15 mm (0.5 inches), and has wings. Adults feed on nectar, and pollinate various native Australian flowers.

The sting can cause a severe burning sensation and swelling in humans; in rare cases, it can cause a life threatening reaction (such as anaphylaxis).

Picture and info from Wikipedia

Bee vs. Jumping Spider

Enjoy! Can anyone tell me what kind of jumping spider this is?

Bug Of The Month - Peacock Spider ( Maratus volans )

The Peacock spider or Gliding spider (Maratus volans) is a species of jumping spider. The red, blue and black colored males have flap-like extensions of the abdomen with white hairs that can be folded down.

They are used for display during mating the male raises his abdomen, then expands and raises the flaps so that the abdomen forms a white-fringed, circular field of color. The species, and indeed the whole genus Maratus have been compared to peacocks in this respect.

The third pair of legs is also raised for display, showing a brush of black hairs and white tips. While approaching the female, the male will then vibrate raised legs and tail, and dance from side to side.

~ Wikipedia

I found out about these fascinating things not too long ago and I wanted to find out more about them naturally so here you go.

Apparently they're tiny little things. I would like to see these in person though.

BUSTED!!

Holy shit! WE'RE DOOMED!

Enjoy the vid.

Super Butterfly Vs Mantis

I thought this was cute.

I guess this is what happens when you feed butterflies energy drinks.

Who's Your Daddy?

I thought this was cute.

They can regrow their lost limbs too. I love these things.

Simply Amazing

Sometimes referred to as “land lobsters” or “walking sausages,” the Lord Howe stick insect is considered the rarest insect in the world.

Believed extinct since 1930 after being wiped off its only known native habitat on Lord Howe Island, the enormous insect was rediscovered in 2001 when fewer than 30 individuals were found living underneath a single shrub on the small islet of Ball's Pyramid, the world's tallest and most isolated sea stack.

I certainly hope that they'll be able to make a comeback. Photo and info from Mother Nature Network.

The Forest Bug Pentatoma rufipes

The forest bug (Pentatoma rufipes) is a species of shield bug in the family Pentatomidae It is a common and widespread species found in forests and woodlands worldwide. It is shiny dark brown with red-orange markings on its body and bright orange legs. It is shaped like an escutcheon-type shield, flat, and about 14 mm in length. Its distinguishing characteristic is a pair of plates extending forward from the shoulders at the front of its dorsal thorax.

The forest bug's main food source is any of several species of oak. It is a sap-feeder and uses piercing mouthparts to withdraw the liquid. It can also be found on other species of deciduous trees. The forest bug is also an agricutural and garden pest, as it will not hesitate to feed on fruit and nut trees. Occasionally it will consume other insects.

Adults lay eggs during the summer in the cracks of tree bark, and the larvae hatch the following spring.

~ Wikipedia

Rhaphigaster nebulosa

The bug feeds on various broadleaved woody plants. Occasionally it sucks on dead insects. In late spring the female sticks around 40 eggs in lines or discs on different parts of plants. The young bugs which hatch vary in colour and are flightless. Wing stumps are only recognisable after the third nymph stage. To protect against predators, young bugs have stink glands on their back; in the case of adults, these are to be found on the underside of the thorax. If threatened, a strong-smelling secretion is released. They are not good fliers; their sluggish flight makes loud humming noises.

This species displays diurnal, thermophilic activity. As with most Pentatomidae, it produces only one generation per year. It likes to overwinter on walls covered with ivy. In its search for suitable winter quarters (splits and cracks) it often unwittingly finds its way into houses.

This species produces a plethora of eggs when disturbed in its habitat. Angering or threatening the bug produces an off white colored secretion which can be harmful if swallowed. The chemicals in the secretion allow the eggs to continue to fertilize in any environment, even those which are highly acidic/basic. To prevent these excretions, this bug should not be killed by any means.

~ Wikipedia

This is good to know if I ever go to Europe. See mom? Some bugs shouldn't be killed. XD

Blue Shield Bug Zicrona caerulea

The name of the Blue Bug is very well chosen. For usually it is greenish blue metallic. Like so many other animals with metallic colouring, the colour may vary. In this case it may be greenish, copperlike, blue or lilac. This depends on the reflection of the light. But usually the Blue Bug doesn't show a lot of variation in colouring. The larvae are very different. They are black with patches of red on the abdomen. Adult Blue Bugs are capable of flying, but rarely do so. Reaching a length of 5 to 8mm, this is our smallest Shield Bug. Often it isn't even noticed, because of the size and the reclusive conduct.

The first Blue Bug larvae are usually seen in late spring. Like the adults they suck on insect larvae, as well as on plants. In our garden they hunt for the larvae of Altica oleracea mainly. That is a small, blueish Leaf Beetle that lives on our Primroses in great numbers. The Blue Bug will not visit all gardens, though, for it loves heaths, moors and the edges of forests and is only found nearby such areas.

~ Garden Safari

I think they are beautiful. I never thought that there were blue shield bugs but if they're blue lady bugs then I think that anything is possible.

It's just a matter of finding out about it. Enjoy Photo not mine obviously. Copy right infringement not intended.

The Secret And Slightly Evil Diet Of The Beefly

A little something for Halloween:

Clicky!

I wonder if all species of beefly larvae are like this? I must look into that. Enjoy! It's a PDF so get Adobe Reader or what ever the thing is called to view it if you don't have it.

Who knew something so cute could be so sinister?

Aphid Domination! *Eek!*

No wonder people have so many problems with getting rid of them.

Thank God for ladybugs and parasitic wasps!

Ants Are Amazing

Don't you think?

Parasitic Wasps

Just one problem I have with this.

Yes, this is a black wasp but that's not what kind it is. There are tons of black colored wasps and all of them are called "Black Wasps"?

I don't think so. That's my only problem with it. Other then that I enjoyed it. Now can anyone tell me what kind of wasps these are?

Angel Bees vs. Robber Bees

Must look these up further.

Angel bees huh? Wonder why they call them that.

Assassin Bug vs. Bat

A little something for Halloween. *Evil Laughter*

Hoverflies

BBC got this one wrong. The fly in the video is a type of Bee Fly ( Bombyliidae ).

Other then that enjoy!

Lasius nearticus

Saw about 50,000 today. It was amazing. Tons of queens to be and males like in the photo.

Photo isn't mine. Found it on Google.

Parthenogenetic Spiders?!

Apparently so according to here.

I'm Habibi18 on there. I too will do some Googling.

Body Invaders

OMG! I can't believe this!

Carnivorous Butterflies?!

The Harvester- Feniseca tarquinius

Every schoolchild learns that butterflies lay eggs on plants, the caterpillars feed on the vegetation, grow, form a pupa, and eventually emerge as an adult butterfly which will probably feed on flower nectar, but may instead feed on rotting fruit, sap, or some other organic matter. The Harvester does something different just about every step of the way, breaking all the rules.

Female Harvesters lay their eggs among woolly aphids (Neoprociphilus, Pemphigus, Prociphilus, and Schizoneura). These insects are interesting in their own right. They have both winged and wingless generations, nearly all of which are female, and they usually require at least two different hosts. For instance, the woolly alder aphid (Paraprociphilus tesselatus), a species in which Harvesters are frequently associated with, requires both alders and silver maples, with different generations feeding on each tree.

Harvesters are also members of the Lycaenidae (the plot thickens), but the dietary habits of their larva turn the typical ant/caterpillar alliance on its ear. When Harvester larvea hatch, they eat the woolly aphids – they are the only carnivorous butterfly larvae in North America. Aphid-munching puts Harvesters a bit at odds with the ants, and so the larva will sometimes conceal and protect themselves under a mat they spin from silk and festoon with aphid carcasses.

Recent research has also found that Harvester larvea can produce a chemical camouflage that mimics the species of aphid on which they are feeding.

- Source: Bootstrap Analysis

.....One example is the Harvester butterfly that will lay eggs in woolly aphid masses because the resulting caterpillars will feed on them. The Harvester butterfly (in the butterfly stage) can also pierce woolly aphids and drink their fluids (much like a spider eats its prey). The Harvester butterfly is an exception, however, as most caterpillars and butterflies are strict vegetarians.

- Source: BN & Victoria Butterfly Gardens

DAMN! And the photo isn't mine. Found it when I went to Google them. I found out about them via BN ( BugNation ). Wonderful wonderful forum that I'm a member of.

I never knew there was such a thing. Who knew! First we have blood sucking moths and then carnivorous butterflies! What has this world come to? XD

Butterflies Are Scarier Then You

I thought this was hilarious!

A Joke

This is something one of the members of Arachnoboards had said when we were trying to figure out what kind of roaches were being nasty in a vid someone posted:

Close. Judging by the behavour, I'd say E. prostitutus. Commonly known as the sluts of the insect world, these sleazy creatures will spread their wings for anybody who has a piece of over-ripe banana or crumbled dog chow. Many insects enjoy red lights for heat, but these bugs of ill repute prefer to use them as a sign that they are open for business.

Common names include "Ho Bugs", "Winged skanks" and in higher-class roach colonies, "Entomological Escorts".
Easily identified by their call alone, you will often hear them stridulate "Hey Mister! You want some company?" and "Me love you long time!" Whenever you encounter them, you can be sure that a related species, E. pimpus, is nearby.

LMAO!

Fire Ants!

I remember seeing some a while back........

Brief Explination

I know you're wondering where I went so I'm gonna explain very quickly and then we'll get back to the bugs. I've been having some problems with my computer and I wasn't able to sign in to a few specific sites blogger being one of them so I couldn't update for a while.

But now that's all over thank the Lord and I can update again. I'll also be filling in post for this month as you know most of this year I haven't been able to post due to LIFE and the internet being unavailable to me for months.

But that is also obviously over. So, bring in the BUGS!

Damselfly: A Battle for Paternity - Battle of the Animal Sexes - BBC

I found this sometime ago.

Let me know what you think. I thought it was fascinating as I've seen them do this.

Bug of The MonthAmazonian Leaf Footed Bug - Diactor bilineatus

I had found out about these a while ago. I haven't found any info on them yet but I'll keep looking. I love leaf footed bugs. Making this fellow BOTM ( Bug Of The Month ).

Credit For Photos: What's That Bug? & Brittanica Encyclopedia

No copyright infringement intended.

Originally posted on 09-26-09

Predatory Caterpillars?! O_O

Yes I couldn't believe this myself either but:

A completely new feeding pattern has been found among caterpillars native to Hawaii: certain geometrid larvae (commonly called inchworms) consume no leaves or other plant matter. Instead, they perch inconspicuously along leaf edges and stems to seize insects that touch their posterior body section.

By bending the front of their body backwards in a very rapid strike, the caterpillars opportunistically capture their prey with elongated, spiny legs and 900 larvae and eggs of these moths have been collected from native forests of all the main islands and reared in the laboratory. All are species of Eupithecia, a worldwide group of over 1000 members that had been reported to feed only on plant matter such as flowers, leaves or seeds.

At least 6 of Hawaii's described Eupithecia species are raptorially carnivorous, only 2 are known to feed predominantly on plant material, especially Metrosideros flowers. A diet including protein-rich flower pollen and a defensive behavior of snapping may have preadapted Hawaii's ancestral Eupithecia for a shift to predation.

Severe barriers to dispersal of mantids and other continental insect predators into Hawaii resulted in an environment favoring behavioral and consequent morphological adaptations that produced these singular insects, which can be commonly called the grappling inchworms. Most damage to native biota and habitat is due to imported species or biological pollution, and has caused a serious need for protective management.

Holy crap!
Source: SpringerLink - Journal Archive

Cicada Killers!

I saw one today, along with a Garden Orb Weaver, and some other kind of HUGE wasp, and a bunch of Cabbage whites when I went to Morning Side park.

Cicada killers are a kind of wasp. They mainly use cicadas as their host food for their larvae but I've seen them use katydids and the like.

I think they're beautiful in a fierce predatory kind of way. It was flying around a field I was in. It's obvious what it was looking for. :)

Stratiomys sp.

OMG! It's adorable! According to bugguide it's either S. adelpha or S. discalis I really don't care atm because I'm in love! ♥ So anyway I'll keep my eyes open for more info on either of the species that this little adorable guy might be.

Since bugguide didn't have any info on either possible species perhaps Google could come up with something? Idk we'll see! If they do I'll either edit this post or make another one.

Credit For Photo: David Bree & Bugguide

I'm Still Alive

Yes I haven't forgotten about this blog or about my other 2 that are on here.

I've been without the internet for quite sometime which is responsible for half of the reason I haven't been posting for sometime now. The other is LIFE and the fact that it's wearing me down somewhat. I'm sorry to say that.

Life shouldn't be a bitch but it is. As for when I'll be posting I'm going to fill in for at least some of the months in this year to get rolling again.

And hopefully I'll be back full time later this year? Idk yet we'll see. That's what I'm thinking at least. Any way you'll be seeing post for August 2009 around.

Toodles!

All The Bugs!

Today was the best day of my life so far this month.

This is what happened.

❀ I talked to Moet on AIM YAAAAAAAY!
She had me LOL so hard I couldn't breath! XD
❀ I FINALLY go to go to my beloved Central Park and
*Takes deep breath*
I went to the exact same part of the park that I went when I was in Northside Center. Oh the memories! ♥♥
It hasn't changed. The playground that we always played at is exactly the same. I even saw the same pool that I went to too.

I almost cried.

❀ I saw a thousand dragonflies. Got up close a personal with 2 of them right before I left
❀ Saw said dragonflies LAYING EGGS! I've never seen them do that before I've read about it of course.
❀ Saw BUNCHES of pairs of them flying in tandem.

Other Bugs/Animals That I saw:

❀ 3 Monarchs ( Got really close to one and he/she flew away I had tears in my eyes at the beauty of it )
❀ 2 Bluet Damselflies in tandem.
❀ Saw a guy catch a sunfish and I got to touch it!
❀ A Cabbage White Butterfly
❀ Ducks and Geese and I fed the ducks XD

I know you're thinking "Why would I want to touch a fish?" But I like nature so that's why. :P I also fed some ducks and I saw a fish of some sort jump in the air an snatch something out of the air.....NEVER in all my 5 years of going to Camp Huntington have I seen such a thing. And all I had to do was go to 110th street to do so.