ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Sept 21, 2011 21:35:18 GMT -8
Thanks for the links, especially the Swallowtails.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Sept 14, 2011 20:11:26 GMT -8
Welcome, Rev. Nice display & pictures. I'm in the same boat with my camera. It's about 6 or 7 years old. Takes good enough pictures for the most part, but really lacking in detail for closeups.
Charlie
P.S. There are a lot of fine people here on insectnet. I'm sure you noticed the sarcasm in the earlier posts.
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Sept 14, 2011 20:03:48 GMT -8
Yes, that is pretty creepy. I've seen other bot flies & there removal on the TV program "The Monsters Inside Me". Not something I wish to encounter! Thanks for posting.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Sept 14, 2011 20:00:03 GMT -8
I'll bet there is a lot of bizarre species in seldom studied areas. I collect mostly in Brazoria County, Texas & have found that there are no records of even several common species in this county. It's nice to find the uncommon ones, also.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Sept 14, 2011 19:47:39 GMT -8
I've notice fairly high populations of bees & wasps this year in my yard. It's probably due to the fact that I keep my flowering plants watered whereas most of my neighbors & other natural habitats have dried up due to the drought we are experiencing. Hardly any butterflies at all this year where I live in Texas. Night collecting was extremely good early this spring, but dropped off dramatically about the end of May, when it turned really hot. In August we had high temperatures over 100 degrees F on 30 of the 31 days and about 1/2 inch of rain all month! North & west of Houston, has been getting hit with huge wildfires which is bound to affect insect populations and other wildlife for quite some time. Hope we get some rain soon! Going to venture out tonight to see if anything is out, but I'm not very optimistic.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Aug 26, 2011 22:39:40 GMT -8
In most years they are very common in the Houston, TX area as well. I've seen as many as 20 in one parking lot in one night. Found larvae on my Pentas as well in November. They are very beautiful. When at rest, they remind me of a jet ready for takeoff!
Charlie
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Aug 13, 2011 21:59:41 GMT -8
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Aug 1, 2011 14:45:31 GMT -8
Has anyone seen the series "Monster Bug Wars"? I think it's on the Science or Discovery channel or maybe Animal Planet. The pick two arthropods & film them close up attacking each other, & to make matters worse, they add sound effects as if they had vocal chords! Pretty amusing, but completely inaccurate.
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jul 31, 2011 16:33:16 GMT -8
That is one strange looking creature! Although, I'd bet we look just as weird to them.
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jul 28, 2011 19:10:13 GMT -8
I love the way a child discovers something new. My 4 year old grandson lives with us & it is so satisfying to show him a new bug & see the excitement in his eyes. Hope he continues to learn about them. I bring home ox beetles alive from time to time & put them in a terrarium for him to observe. He doesn't mind "petting" them, but he is still apprehensive about holding anything other than butterflies or moths. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jul 27, 2011 1:15:15 GMT -8
They are not very aggressive as a rule, but will sting if provoked. I was stung by one in my early 20's on the inside of my upper left thigh after I brushed it off my steering wheel of my car by accident when I was getting ready to pull away. Already had the car in gear. Pain was not as bad as a wasp, but still wasn't pleasant, especially since it just barely missed the family jewels! Any other close calls?
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jul 23, 2011 19:36:52 GMT -8
Yep! That's pretty weird!
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jul 15, 2011 0:04:59 GMT -8
Here is a link to Mike Quinn's web page on Ascalapha odorata. Mike is one heck of a nice guy & an excellent photographer. Lot's of fascinating facts & data here. www.texasento.net/witch.htmCharlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jun 25, 2011 4:02:14 GMT -8
I wonder if it has to do with some chemical component in the different alcoholic beverages. I think whiskey is cured in oak barrels & gin is flavored with juniper berries, if I remember right. Just a thought for discussion.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Jun 25, 2011 3:54:05 GMT -8
Claude - Very good question. Hope someone can answer it. I would like to know as well. Logically, if you collected them personally and declared them at customs, had a list of what you have, & are not for commercial use, it seems like it should be OK. However, laws are not usually logical!
Charlie
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