A Big Bug Update

A spider web in the bushes. Spiders are one of the bugs I don't like. I used to hate all bugs, but began learning about them to get over the hate. Pretty photos and interesting facts just don't make spiders any more appealing to me.

The spider in here looked way too big and I'm content to leave him alone.

 A Luna moth outside of work. As my coworker said "He's got a hurtie"

He sat in the same spot for most of the day. I'm not sure if he could still fly. Apparently, Luna moths are endangered species because pesticides kill their catapillars.

 Pretty flowers.

 Bugs really like my orange car. I was surprised to learn some insects can see color. However, they cannot see red. I suppose orange is also out, so they aren't attracted to my car for it's color. Perhaps they like it's storage capacity or great MPG.

I have no idea what this bug is. It is a butterfly- notice the wings are held vertically when resting and the antennae have rounded ends. It is also active in the daytime, another clue that it is a butterfly.

If anyone can tell me more than that, I'd love to know more about this butterfly!

I thought I was going to have two mystery bugs in this post.

 It took some searching, but I finally found out what this one is!
It's possibly the most interesting bug I have found.

It is a Robber Fly.  It basically hangs out in an open area, and when another bug flies by it grabs them and inserts its mouth parts into the prey. It  then injects a calming toxin and digestive chemicals. Like a spider, it then consumes the liquified bug.

 He was very friendly and posed for many photos. It was around 9:00 am, and quite misty out, when I took this photo.

 A bee impaled on a cactus spine. Definitely a good thing that bugs don't feel pain the way humans do.

And finally....My three new assemblages, for sale at:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitsBitsandBugs

They are the bits in Knits,Bits and Bugs. The bug part should be obvious.

I also like to knit, but as I work and go to school full time, and it's hot outside, the knitting will have to wait a bit. There are plenty of awesome knitters on the internet, so I don't feel like I'm cheating anyone.

Hercules Beetle

This beautifull fellow is an eastern hercules beetle.
He is a male- you can tell by the horns. They are the largest beetle in the US. I thought he was quite large, but after doing some research he was a medium sized beetle. They can grow to be over 2 inches long.

I found him at the grocery store. I don't know why I find so many bugs there. Some kids riding around on the buggies in the parking lot told me that he flew into the light and fell down. Apparently, he was very loud when he fell.

Three more insects

 The "face" of a Regal Walnut Moth. This beauty was spotted clinging to a weed in my local Food Lion parking lot. On the same trip to the grocery store, I saw a baby deer and a racoon. It was more like a nature walk than a trip to the store.

The RWM spends most of it's life pupateing underground, but comes out as this beauty for a few days in July. It's basic goal is to find a mate and make some babies. It can't even eat in this stage- food is less important than sexin.

The moth was so pretty, it was dazzling to look at. It feels like Jim Henson should have designed it, not evolution.

 This is an antlion. I was talking with my Grandma on her porch and looked above her head to see a beautiful periwinkle bug.

As a pupae, he lives in the ground, just like the RWM. I was surprised to learn that this insect is the same one that lives under my studio, just grown up.In the sandy soil below my studio, he digs a pit and when ants crawl unsuspecting into the pit, he pops up and eats them. That is why it's an antlion.

This wheelbug was walking along my deck. His exoskeleton was broken open and some gooey stuff was leaking out from his rear. Perhaps he had been in a fight, or escaped a cat?

I haven't found any more insects this week. I stumbled upon these three in close succession, I doubt I'll see many more this summer.