Bugs! Bugs! Bugs! @thomas-eisner-blog - Tumblr Blog

!!!Megalopteran!!!

Holy shit. A fine specimen of Corydalus cornutus, the Eastern Dobsonfly. This is a female; the males jaws are even larger (but still totally harmless… the adults do not even feed)! The larvae are predatory and aquatic.

tytoalbion

I wouldn’t say totally harmless…

snoots-and-boops

some Very Important Beans

tarantulacuties

Omg look at these spide paws

It's really strange to miss the person that I chose to estrange myself from. I still can't pin down what or why exactly made me do it. Or even if I should have. It's just weird that it doesn't feel like regret, just sentimentality for something really good that I used to have.

#I'm not surprised I did it #I ruin a lot of good things for myself #it's just that I don't know why #sorry anyway that was long winded and personal #but tumblr is good for that sort of thing #not bugs #personal

coolbugs

Bug of the Day

Very excited to find this flower longhorn beetle in the yard, because it is Gaurotes cyanipennis, a new species for me! I found this one above the door to my shed last night (hence the not-so-great photo with the reflection of my flash diffuser in the beetle’s elytra), then saw one again this afternoon, visiting flowers in my garden.

nature-euphoria

macro | Colaboration | by SuhendroChandraII | http://ift.tt/29mB3fY

tarantulajelly

On my way back in from taking out some clutter, I spotted this adorable male Tan Jumping Spider (Platycryptus undatus) scurrying along my studio window.

I scooted him into a teacup for an impromptu photo session and man am I glad I did. Just look at that mug!

nysaes

Cornell entomologists take fight to invasive bugs crippling NY crops

New York and other regions in the United States are seeing greater numbers of invasive insects that attack specialty crops due to increased levels of interstate and international trade. Entomologists at Cornell’s New York State Agricultural Experiment Station (NYSAES) have taken the lead in addressing these destructive pests.

Important recent examples include swede midge, a pest of cruciferous crops; leek moth, a pest of allium crops; spotted wing drosophila, a pest of soft-skinned fruits such as berries; brown marmorated stink bug, a pest of vegetable, fruit and field crops, but particularly problematic in apples and pears; and European crane flies, significant turf pests.

Although the economic impact of these pests is not always well documented, it is extensive. To address the problem of invasive insects, entomologists need to learn as much as possible about their biology in New York and also develop different approaches to management.

An important part of the response is effectively communicating with grower stakeholders to help them better understand the problem and the best management practices available. Some examples of invasive insect pests of specialty crops that NYSAES entomologists are currently working on are summarized below.

Spotted wing drosophila (SWD):

This invasive species of fruit fly resembles the fruit fly of genetics fame, Drosophila melanogaster. However, the female spotted wing drosophila has a serrated egg-laying device that allows her to insert her eggs in ripe and ripening soft-skinned fruit whereas Drosophila melanogaster only lays eggs in rotting fruit. Hence, SWD is a major threat to soft-skinned fruit such as raspberries, blueberries, and cherries. Originally from Asia, SWD was first detected in North America in California in 2008 and quickly spread throughout the USA, arriving in NY in 2011. In 2012, SWD caused an estimated $5 M in lost crop just in blueberries and raspberries in NY. Since its arrival in NY, research by Cornell scientists at NYSAES and Ithaca has focused on developing monitoring programs and testing management alternatives including chemical, biological and cultural control methods. More information on SWD can be found at http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/spottedwing/.

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB):

Brown marmorated stink bug. Photo credit: Peter Jentsch

Originally from Asia, brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) was first detected in Pennsylvania in 1990 and spread to most states in the US. It is abundant in the mid-Atlantic states, with increasing numbers in NY State. BMSB has a very large host range, including many important vegetable and fruit crops. In NY it has mainly been problematic in apples and vegetables grown in the Hudson Valley. In 2012, BMSB caused an estimated $1 M in damage to the apple crop in the Hudson Valley. Cornell researchers are involved in developing monitoring programs, estimating economic thresholds, testing conventional and alternative control methods including insecticides, attract and kill and behavioral modification.

Learn more about these insects here: http://www.stopbmsb.org/stink-bug-basics/life-stages/

Swede midge

Swede midge is a pest of crucifer crops and was first detected in North America in Ontario, CN in 2000. Feeding by the maggots of this small fly causes abnormal growth of the plants making them unmarketable. The first discovery of swede midge in the US was in 2004 on a broccoli farm in Niagara County, NY. It now is present in most counties in New York State, threatening the state’s crucifer industry valued at ca. $100m annually. To deal with this problem, NYSAES entomologists developed management tactics that have been adopted by industry and have worked with CCE personnel on outreach education, including developing a website with the latest information, http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/swede-midge/. These efforts have prevented catastrophic losses to the NY crucifer industry and have been adopted by other states.

Swede midge larvae are initially about 0.3 mm in length before reaching their final size of 3-4 mm. Credit: M. Chen, Cornell

Leek Moth

Leek moth is a pest of members of the Allium family including onions, garlic, leeks, chives and shallots. The larvae feed on crop foliage, stunting plant growth and compromising the storage life of the crop. This insect is native to Europe and was first found in North America in 1993 in Ontario, Canada. The first discovery of leek moth in the US was in 2009 in a home garden in Plattsburgh, NY. Leek moth is present in 10 northern NY counties, where it has caused severe damage to leeks, garlic and onion valued at nearly $80M annually. Entomologists developed management tactics that are being used by the industry. In conjunction with Cornell Cooperative Extension a website http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/leek-moth/ on leek moth has been developed. These research and extension efforts have reduced or prevented losses to both the NY Allium industry and that of other states.

Learn more about leek moths at: http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/shelton/leek-moth/damage.html

These leeks were damaged by leek moths. Photo credit: Lorraine Chilson

Invasive Crane Flies

The European crane fly (Tipula paludosa) and Marsh crane fly (Tipula oleracea), collectively referred to as European crane flies (ECF), were first detected in the Northeast in 2004 in Western NY and are now established as pests of managed turfgrass and other specialty crops, pastures, and forage productions systems. ECF thrive in diverse turf settings including golf turf, sod farms, lawns, and sports fields, and they can cause significant damage to the roots, crowns, stems and foliage of turfgrass. Research at NYSAES is focusing on strategies for managing ECF on school sports fields using entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs). Currently, EPNs are the only treatment option available for managing ECF on school grounds, and while past research showed that EPNs are effective for managing crane fly larvae, it is not known how well EPNs will perform against crane flies under the conditions unique to sports turf soils. The aim of this research is to clarify decision making criteria for school grounds managers regarding the use of EPN’s against this important pest.

scalestails

I thought this bug was really pretty then I found out it was called a Potato Bug and I love it more now. (Leptinotarsa decemlineata)

jennyrage

Shiny new spider suit. (Gross old hard water stains, but she’s moving to a bigger place soon.) I can’t wait to get some proper dorsal view pictures, those legs though. :D Poecilotheria miranda.

tarantulajelly

Beautiful!

iamtherealcactus

just found this huge ass beetle in my house. anyone know the species? hes actually pretty rad. when i found him he was still moving very slowly but had been on his back for a while so idk man…

entoderek-deactivated20220417

Dunno where you’re located, but it’s Phileurus or a related species in the Phileurini. Family Scarabaeidae.

I always remember Phileurus because the groove in its pronotum looks like a butt.

crosstimberlake

Yard Wolf

sinobug

Froghopper (Cercopidae) by Sinobug (itchydogimages) on Flickr. Pu’er, Yunnan, China See more Chinese true bugs and hoppers on my Flickr site HERE…..

the-awkward-turt

Carpenter ant queen!! She’s already got a few eggs. Now I just have to leave her in a dark warm place while she sets up shop and only check on her once a week (easier said than done!).

I can’t wait until she’s got a few workers and I can move her into my formicarium :)

necessary

I never post about my pulchripes, but she’s very special to me. She was purchased for me as a gift years ago as a small spiderling the size of my pinky nail by my close friend, Kevy, who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly two years ago. It’s cool to have her to watch grow up and remember him by.