Tag Archives: Bugs

Horny little buggers

I guess they aren’t technically horns, but check out the protrusions on these buggers I found!

Bedstraw Hawk moth caterpillar
I think this is a Bedstraw Hawk moth caterpillar
Sword-bearing Conehead
I think this is a Sword-bearing Conehead

I am definitely a live-and-let-live kind of person.  That basically applies to my dealing with creatures as well as people…I think I like critters better, but I am willing to leave people or critters alone to do as they please as long as it doesn’t hurt me or my family.  I don’t think it hurt these guys, though, when I picked them up for a little inspection.

He bit me!
He bit me!

The grasshopper actually sort of hurt me a little…I picked him up and he wandered around on my hands for awhile…and then he bit me!  It wasn’t a big deal, but I saw his tiny mouth reach down and just take a taste!  I didn’t fling him off or mash him but I figured that maybe it was time to set him free!  I know I am sweet and all, but he wasn’t my type!

The new American stealth fighter

We were working on the deck at the deluxe shed last weekend and we heard this incredible sound.  Circling about overhead was this oddly shaped black flying machine.  It wasn’t a black helicopter so I began to wonder if my tinfoil hat was screwed on a little too tight.  The black flying machine continued to circle though and finally came into my field on approach!  Honest to goodness, the new technology is amazing!  This new stealth fighter landed on one of the boards for the deck on which I was working!

Stealth fighter or giant black horse fly?  You be the judge!
Stealth fighter or giant black horse fly? You be the judge!

We moved over slowly to where it had landed, not knowing if we should be honored or afraid.  I pulled out my camera figuring it would be the moment of truth…either the flying machine would remain still and let me take a pic or I would feel its sting.  I felt bold and alive and the tingles of adrenaline poured over my body!

Stealth fighter or giant black horse fly?  You be the judge! Stealth fighter or giant black horse fly?  You be the judge!

I looked back at Abigail who had first spotted this stealth fighter and she said, “Dad, you’re an idiot…it’s a fly.  Take a picture before it flies off!”  Parenting is so humbling!  I think this baby is a horse fly (Tabanus atratus) but I don’t think I have ever seen a solid black one or one of this size!  He was a beauty and he posed very well for a pic…no bites at all!

There’s tiny stuff down there

I was outside pouting about something the other day and somehow, out of the corner of my eye, spotted movement.  I rose from my self-pity to discover a swarm(?) of newly hatched praying mantises (mantii?).  I suppose they were newly hatched though I didn’t see still-attached umbilical cords or anything.  Anyhow, they were itty-bitty and there were tons of them.

Baby praying mantis

We have miserable English ivy at our place and though I hate the stuff, I was delighted by its greenness which is the only way I could have seen the little critters.  They scampered as well as any baby 6-legged creature could scamper.  I guess they liked being in the sun though mostly they stayed hidden.  It was awesome!

05_28_2013 004a Baby praying mantis

I looked around some more and noticed some cool lady bugs though I couldn’t get a good pic to save my life.  I figure they were probably eating my baby mantii anyhow so I didn’t want to stick around for that show.    I moseyed over to the driveway and found a cool collection of ants.  I am not sure what ants do in their spare time but they were certainly busy doing it, whatever it was.  Ants can be sort of hypnotizing to watch, much like rushing water.  Does anyone else ever get the (sort of) urge to get closer and closer to running water?  Maybe it’s just me but I am drawn to water as if I being compelled to jump in.  Of course, that sort of water would end me so I am lucky to have some power over my compulsion…anyhow, ants…back to ants.  I took some video and they just make me want to stand and stare at them.  I suppose I could jump into them.  They are not nearly as dangerous as rushing water!

Ants video

My video isn’t great but I still love to watch the ants

I guess it was good to look down and see some small stuff.  It made my pouting go away.  That was small stuff too..