Dynastes in Payson, Az

[garin33]

Hi all,
I took a quick trip with my family to Phoenix, Az this last weekend to visit my sister and we took a drive up to Payson in the evening and we were able to catch a few Dynastes Granti, lots of Xylorcytes thestalus, 1 Lucanus mazama, a few C. Gloriosa, a couple of mantids, and a couple of Sphinx Moths (not sure of the species yet, I will later have Evan identify).
My whole family went and I have to tell you that none of them are interested in insects but they all later said that the night "bug adventure" was the highlight of the vacation. We setup a small blacklight in a park area and also stopped at a few lights in the city. Even my brother-in-law, who is a doctor and really has no interest in bugs and he only went because his wife (my sister) went on the evening bug hunt said "man, that was so much fun, lets do it again next year!"
It was alot of fun and it would not had been possible if it wasn't for the helpful information provided from the the guys I met on this forum. Evan gave me directions, helpful tips, and answered tons of my newbie questions. Thanks Evan. Thank you Tom for your info as well.
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for having the forum otherwise I would not have met Evan and not sure if I would have attempted this little "bug adventure" with my family. We may now make this an annual event!
Garin

[garin33]

photo attached

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[admin]

Great pic!

[garin33]

Thanks!
That's my 5 year old son. I'm trying to start him young so I'll have an excuse to go collecting!
He had a great time except around 10pm he would get tired and want to go home so I wasn't able to stay out late and get some of the cool moths that are up there. I never knew that some moths don't come out until later. Evan educated on me that.

[beetlehorn]

Glad you had a good time. I love to go collecting in Arizona. It is always like an adventure for me. I hope to go back again next year, hopefully to collect the influx of butterflies from Mexico. There is always the possibility of encountering some rare stray like Doxocopa laure or Asterocampa idyja. Tom

[ckswank]

I'm using the same strategy with my 5 year old grandson! So far, it's just been at a blacklight sheet in the backyard. Maybe in a couple of years we can plan some overnight trips, if his interest is still there.

Charlie

[garin33]

Hi Tom,
Thanks again for all your helpful information. I was reading Bill's post on your trip to southern Arizona and it sounds amazing.
If you and Evan do it again next year, we would love to possibly come visit one of your night collecting stops. I promise we won't take any important specimens, haha. My son doesn't know the difference anyway and it would be just fun to see how the pros do it.

Charlie, great idea about black lighting in the back yard. That's how I started my son. Maybe there's a place that you could go that is close enough that you don't have to stay the night. That's a little easier with a young one. When we went to Payson, we drove back that same night so it made easier for him.

[dertodesking]

Great photo Garin - always good to see the next generation of budding entomologist!

I'm trying to get my five year-old daughter in butterflies and bugs. She quite a fan of large coleoptera (Batocera, Goliathus, big lucanids) and annoys my wife by confidently pointing out an Ornithoptera or Papilonidae when my wife can't tell the difference between a butterfly and a millipede! (I exaggerate a bit, but..!)

Try and keep your son interested - if he gets into it it'll become a lifelong interest that brings much learning, interest and pleasure and a host of good friends.

Simon

[w1]

Also had a great time doing the beetle run in Payson AZ. Like the pic.

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[garin33]

Nice, when did you go? I went August 18th-20th.
Garin