#august2022

[kalicocal]

artemis is praying

[emmaftweed]

🌻

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Firebug (aggregation) - Pyrrhocoris apterus

In previous posts featuring this insect, the aggregations I've found were near the of a tree (and some of the surrounding plants) or nearby in the surrounding grasses. These Red Bugs had gathered to absorb the setting sun's heat and to search for seeds (their primary form of nutrition) and while aggregated they enjoy safety and comfort in numbers. All this is nothing new, but where urban environments and nature come together, the Common Firebug may be found in strange places. In today's post, the aggregations found here were either on or near a wooden utility pole! A while back, I noticed a similar event with a similar looking insect: the Eastern Boxelder Bug. Both insects had mistaken a piece of human construction for a tree. Looking at it from an insect's perspective, a large wooden object may very well be mistaken for tree, especially if it has similar scent cues still attached to it. A utility pole unfortunately cannot be used as a food source, but does have potential to act as a shelter from the elements or a sunning location. For the former use (as can be seen from Pictures 5 and 8), as many individuals as possible can cram into the cracks and hide away, similar to the recesses and holes of trees (similar behavior also occurs when they find their way inside a house).

Firebugs would have to rely on other creatures to expend the crevices in order to fit every Bug in the aggregation, but alas, nature is survival of the fittest. What may benefit the Firebugs more is a eusocial/colony structure whereby the younger nymphs hide away in the woody voids while the adults monitor and search for food. While not eusocial in any way, there are small inklings of such a system in the aggregations. If you look closely, your attention may be drawn more to the spotted, larger and redder adults and not the smaller nymphs that try and hide beneath them. Meanwhile, loose aggregations and single Firebugs scamper about on stone and concrete looking for a source of food and shelter. What can start as one individual in an area can quickly turn into many individuals gathering in an area thanks to potent pheromones. However, different pheromones from this insect can also cause aggregations to separate and scatter. This may be useful as a defense, but likely has more value in use for after mating (for egg dispersal) or if an aggregation grows too large and food sources are in short supply. With reduced wings to prevent flying away (in most cases) personal stuff is all the more important, and it's furthermore great that this specie can run very quickly should an aggregation need to suddenly form or disperse.

Pictures of individuals or loose aggregations were taken on June 16 and August 5, 2022 with a Google Pixel 4. Pictures of the large aggregations were taken on October 1, 2022 with a Google Pixel 4.

[natur-nah-dran]

from above

[storyofmychoices]

Missing Bryce and Olivia hours! So have some art!

This gorgeous portrait is by the lovely and talented @/Irdeinfierno (Instagram)

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

[doronjosama]

Baby Furnival loves the Stuva bed, and Jammer has Had It Officially with kittens! #kittensofinstagram #catsofinstagram #catscatscats #catstagram #kittens #furnivaldethomas #furnival #jammer #katzenjammerkid #mainecoon #americanforestcat #ihavehaditofficially #stuva #august2022 #tabbycat #littlebebs #cutiepies #rescuecats #adoptdontshop #mysons #mytreasures #kittybabies #darlingboys #catmomlife #dailykitten #latergram https://www.instagram.com/p/CpgVhqPr9BF/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

Thomas and Alex Hunt 💙

This absolutely gorgeous portrait of my lovelies is by the ever talented @/miss__debbi (Instagram) and was gifted to me by @/fictionangyl (Instagram) in a giveaway. I am truly lucky to have both of these lovely ladies in my life.

[All Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer] [Halex Commissions one + two]

[positivegreenford]

Bus stop beer can holder, Oldfield Lane North, Greenford, London Borough of Ealing, London, UK, August 2022. #carefullittering #beer #Greenford #LondonBoroughofEaling #London #UK #August2022 #suburbs #suburban #suburbia #photography