Monthly Archives: August 2015

Differential Grasshoppers

Posted on August 31, 2015 by jjneal

The differential grasshopper, Melanoplus differentialis is common in Indiana this year. Some years populations can become large and reach pest status. They are not restricted to the countryside and commonly seen in vacant urban lots with tall vegetation. As in … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Sunday Bug Jokes

Posted on August 30, 2015 by jjneal

Why did the ant dance on the honey jar lid? It said “Twist to Open”. What game do ants refuse to play with elephants? Squash Where did the housefly actor prefer to perch? On the screen. How does bee hair … Continue reading →

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Plague Update

Posted on August 29, 2015 by jjneal

Cases of Bubonic Plague are infrequent in the US but the number of incidents is higher than normal this year (2015) prompting an alert from the CDC. The alert is aimed at doctors and the public. Doctors follow CDC reports to … Continue reading →

Posted in by jjneal, Environment, Health | 2 Comments

Horace’s Duskywing

Posted on August 28, 2015 by jjneal

Horace’s Duskywing is one of the larger skippers in Indiana.  It is quite similar in appearance to Juvenal”s Duskywing.  However, Juvenal’s Duskywing does not typically fly this late in the season.  The caterpillar feeds on oaks which are common on … Continue reading →

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Cryptic Cicada Species

Posted on August 27, 2015 by jjneal

Some species of insects look alike and escape detection by taxonomists as distinct species for many years. Males of cicada species that look alike may have very different calling songs. The male calling song is critical for attracting conspecific females. … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Taxonomy | 1 Comment

Posted on August 26, 2015 by jjneal

The Eastern Tailed Blue Butterfly is a native of North America that feeds on native legumes as a caterpillar. Recently, Hesler reported* populations of Eastern Tailed Blue Caterpillars, Cupido comyntas causing defolation of soybean in South Dakota.  Caterpillars were scattered, populations were … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Environment | 1 Comment

Preserving the Large Blue Butterfly

Posted on August 25, 2015 by jjneal

The large blue butterfly, Phengaris arion has been a protected species in England for almost a century. In spite of protected areas set aside for the butterfly, numbers dwindled and went extinct in England in 1979. At the time, the … Continue reading →

Posted in behavior, by jjneal, Endangered Species, Environment | 1 Comment