Monthly Archives: July 2013

Camping With Insects

Posted on July 31, 2013 by jjneal

The Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is an invasive species that has killed or damaged considerable numbers of Hemlock trees in Eastern North America. Large, dead hemlocks pose a threat to campers due to falling limbs and trunks. The danger is more … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Invasive Species | 2 Comments

Living With Micro-livestock Production

Posted on July 30, 2013 by jjneal

Feeding the future human population will require protein sources beyond traditional livestock. Insects, aka micro-livestock, are an edible source of protein that may augment future diets. Industrial farming has mechanized much of the care and feeding of livestock. Micro-livestock rearing … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Food, Insect Inspired | 4 Comments

Flatormenis proxima

Posted on July 30, 2013 by jjneal

Flatormenis proxima , (sometimes known as the Northern Flattid Planthopper) is a large white planthopper in the family Flattidae. They have sucking mouthparts and are related to aphids and cicadas. Flatormenis proxima is common in the Midwest including Indiana. This … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 2 Comments

Blue Dasher

Posted on July 28, 2013 by jjneal

After a 2012 road trip, I posted a photo of a female Blue Dasher Dragonfly. This year, I found this male Blue Dasher, Pachydiplax longipennis, on a dock at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Male and female Blue Dashers are sexually dimorphic, … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 2 Comments

Mating Wheel

Posted on July 27, 2013 by jjneal

I spied this mating pair of damselflies on the sea wall at Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. Damselfly and dragonfly males deposit sperm in a pouch near the front of their abdomen. Prior to mating, the males bend the tip of the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Looper

Posted on July 26, 2013 by jjneal

Many of the looper caterpillars (aka inchworms) of the forest are stick mimics. When disturbed, they hold their body rigid like a small twig. In this way, they blend with their surroundings. The loopers have an abdomen that is flexible … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Caterpillar Blogging, Literature | Leave a comment

Black Robber Flies

Posted on July 25, 2013 by jjneal

Laphria sicula is a tiny black robber fly that resembles a tiny wasp. These robber flies can often be found sunning themselves on a log or foliage near the forest edge. Female Laphria sicula lay eggs on rotting logs. The … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment