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.