Monthly Archives: May 2014

Fiery Searcher

Posted on May 31, 2014 by jjneal

Calosoma scrutator, the “Fiery Searcher” is a ground beetle in the family Carabidae. It is an iridescent green beetle with a fiery red border and a purplish iridescent thorax. These beetles live in open areas with some trees (including downtown … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Endangered Species | 1 Comment

Friday Cat-erpillar Blogging: Hair

Posted on May 30, 2014 by jjneal

Long hairs on caterpillars are presumed to be defensive. How well do they defend against insect predators? Sugiura and Yamazaki* observed attacks by the predatory carabid beetle Calosoma maximowiczi, on several species of caterpillar. Smooth caterpillars with no hairs were … Continue reading →

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

Cuticle Hydration

Posted on May 29, 2014 by jjneal

Entomologists have long known that the cuticle of recently killed insects is flexible allowing appendages to be moved. Upon drying, the cuticle becomes stiff and brittle. Dried insects can be partially rehydrated by placing them in a chamber with high … Continue reading →

Posted in Biomaterials, by jjneal | Leave a comment

Golden-Backed Snipe Fly

Posted on May 28, 2014 by jjneal

The Golden-Backed Snipe Fly, Chrysopilus thoracicus, is a beautiful insect with gold tufts on its thorax and white tufts on the edges of the abdomen. This fly is frequently seen resting on foliage in late spring. There is no detailed … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 4 Comments

Stalking the Emerald Ash Borer

Posted on May 27, 2014 by jjneal

Ineffective trapping for emerald ash borer is a barrier to early detection and potential eradication of small new infestations. Unlike Lepidoptera that use long range odor cues and can be attracted from a distance, Emerald Ash Borers do not use … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Invasive Species | Leave a comment

Welcome Liladownsia fraile

Posted on May 26, 2014 by jjneal

Entomologists Derek Woller, Fontana, Ricardo Mariño-Pérez and Hojun Song at the University of Central Florida discovered a new species of grasshopper, Liladownsia fraile. The large colorful grasshopper was discovered near a road in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2011. It is interesting … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, News, Taxonomy | Leave a comment

Sunday Comics

Posted on May 25, 2014 by jjneal

The National Science Foundation wants scientists to reach beyond the laboratory to help inform the public about their research and discoveries. NSF has inspired scientists to create new educational media including comics and edu-tainment games to inform the public. Want … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, behavior, by jjneal, Education | Leave a comment