Tag: insects

typhlonectes:

Avoiding Predation by Bats:  A Tale of Two Moths

by William E. Conner

In their

recent paper


in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the U.S.A.,
Kawahara and Barber describe sonar-jamming signals in a charismatic
group of moths called hawkmoths (in the order Lepidoptera, family
Sphingidae). Using behavioral methods, they showed that hawkmoths
produce sound by rubbing specialized scales on their genitalia across a
filelike structure on their abdomens, in a process called stridulation. (See videos

here.)

But there are apparently other ways to thwart bat attacks as well. A group led by the same research team

studied


a second charismatic group of moths, the Saturnidae, or silkmoths
(including the well-known luna moth, as shown above). As far as we know
these large moths do not hear or produce sound, but many sport long,
flowing hindwing tails that flutter in the breeze as they fly. The
fluttering tails are irresistible to echolocating bats, diverting their
attack away from the moth’s vulnerable body and toward the expendable
tails…

(read more: American Scientist)

photographs: T – Luna Moth by James St. John; B – Hawk Moth (Ambulyx pryeri) by Alexey

Source: typhlonectes

britsnana2:

7/12/15

Order Coleoptera (Beetles)
Suborder Polyphaga (Water, Rove, Scarab, Long-horned, Leaf and Snout Beetles)
Superfamily Scarabaeoidea (Scarab, Stag and Bess Beetles)
Family Scarabaeidae (Scarab Beetles)
Subfamily Rutelinae (Shining Leaf Chafers)
Tribe Rutelini
Genus Pelidnota
Species punctata (Grapevine Beetle)

Other Common Names Spotted June Beetle (June Bug), Spotted Pelidnota-Explanation of Names punctata – Latin for ‘marked with pricks or punctures’ (1)
Numbers 6 spp. n. of Mex. (2)
Size 17-27 mm
Identification Large,
golden-yellow scarab with peripheral spots on pronotum and elytra.
Apparently, southern (Carolinas) specimens have light brown legs,
northern (Ohio and Michigan) specimens have dark legs
Range TX-FL-ME-SD / adj. Can. (BG data)
Habitat Deciduous forests and adjacent areas
Season mostly: May-August (BG data)
Food Adults feed on grape (Vitis) foliage and fruit (2)
Larvae host on dead Acer, Celtis, Juglans, Malus, Platanus, Quercus, Ulmus spp.
Life Cycle Eggs
are laid on stumps and rotting logs. Larvae feed on decaying roots and
stumps of trees, pupate in adjacent soil. Adults emerge May-September
and come to lights.—- All information from BugGuide

Source: britsnana2

cool-critters:

Achrioptera fallax

Achrioptera fallax is a stick insect species found in Madagascar. The males are a bright electric blue (with greenish tints) and have two rows of reddish orange spines along the edges of the femur. There are also dark coloured spines going along the sides and underneath the thorax. Males are brachypterous (incapable of flight) and have small reduced wings. Females have a duller outlook. They are a light brown with red spines covering the entire thorax and the top of the head. The male grows up to 13 cm in length while the female is much bigger and can grow up to 18, 5 cm in length. Their diet in the wild is unknown but in captivity they mainly feed on bramble, raspberry, eucalyptus, and oak.

photo credits: thedancingrest, reptileforums

Source: cool-critters

coolbugs:

Bug of the Day

Ok, this is one off the bucket list. Never had a Polyphemus moth at the light in my yard. Well, had a couple over the past 10 years but they always fluttered around and then took off before they settled down. Last night this beauty was sitting *on* the light when I went out to check it, and patiently posed on my finger for some glamour shots. SOOOOO AWESOME!