ckswank
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Post by ckswank on May 17, 2013 19:51:16 GMT -8
I agree that a different angle should help with ID. Could be Scorpionfly, order Mecoptera.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on May 9, 2013 21:48:41 GMT -8
Don't really know if it was illegal to collect insects where you were collecting. Usually if it is, there are warning signs posted concerning trespassing in these no-mow areas. The reason some states have these areas is to allow the native plants to produce seed to repopulate the area. Many of these "prairie weeds" are important food sources for native animals, including butterflies. We all know how important habitat loss is to local populations so maybe you should rethink your position. Sounds like he may have been just trying to protect the habitat. Just a few thoughts to ponder.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on May 3, 2013 10:12:12 GMT -8
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Apr 21, 2013 19:44:26 GMT -8
Looks like a bagworm moth larvae to me (family Psychidae). Adult males have wings but generally the females are wingless.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Apr 4, 2013 18:55:57 GMT -8
bluemoth - Similar situation here in SE Texas (Brazoria County) during March.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Mar 29, 2013 20:43:13 GMT -8
Clark - I would hate to see the auctions go away for good without being replaced by something comparable. I have noticed the steep decline in listings over the past year. I occasionally sell bugs on Ebay, but the only things that seem to sell are common showy ones. I think most of my buyers intended on using them for artwork and were not collectors. I rarely purchase any insects myself as I don't have the type of income that will allow me to spend great sums of money on them.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Mar 29, 2013 20:20:40 GMT -8
I've received notice from Ebay that they will be offering consolidated shipping for overseas buyers in the near future. U.S. sellers will have the opportunity to sell to buyers outside the U.S. & then ship to a U.S. address which will forward to the buyer. Seller only pays for domestic mail service as well. I had a company offer me employment as an independent contractor consolidating & repackaging shipments for overseas customers. Not sure how they will police things (such as insects) that are restricted. Needless to say, I turned down the job offer. Too many potential headaches.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Mar 5, 2013 20:20:21 GMT -8
The annual Texas Entoblitz sponsored by Texas A & M University is coming up April 19-21, 2013. The last one I was able to attend was in 2009. Good opportunity to meet & collect with others sharing our love of insects. If you're going to be in the area, here is a link for information. entoblitz.tamu.edu/2013/index.php
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Feb 12, 2013 21:18:29 GMT -8
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ckswank
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Posts: 239
Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Jan 3, 2013 13:43:17 GMT -8
Texas A & M University Entomology Dept. is having its annual open house this Saturday, January 5th. This will be my 4th year attending. One of our members on here has been to all of them. If you are in the area, I'm sure you would be welcome. Here is a link with the details: insects.tamu.edu/news_events/events/collectionopenhouse/Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Dec 14, 2012 18:37:09 GMT -8
I occasionally find these (Southern Two-striped Walkingstick-Anisomorpha buprestoides) here in Texas. They will spray when disturbed & I've also heard it can cause temporary blindness.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Dec 14, 2012 18:20:18 GMT -8
stringer - May be common, but definitely against Ebay policy. You get kicked off if Ebay finds out and all it takes is one disgruntled buyer to report them.
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Nov 6, 2012 20:18:03 GMT -8
Road trip! LOL
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ckswank
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Country: USA
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Post by ckswank on Oct 28, 2012 21:59:00 GMT -8
It's not just the insects for sale on Ebay that have tanked. My wife & I have been on Ebay for 9 1/2 years. We sell a variety of items, including a few insects from time to time. Our sales this year will be about 30% of what they were four years ago. We're going to close down our store at the end of the year and save $15.95 per month. I imagine the 50 free monthly auction listings will be going away soon as well. More incentive to list on here!
Charlie
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ckswank
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Post by ckswank on Oct 4, 2012 12:21:50 GMT -8
I know what you mean, Chris. There is a population of these near Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast that flies in December. It's about a 3 hour drive from where I live. A friend & I went down 3 years ago. Unknown to us was the landowners had put up 8 foot tall deer fences along the highway. We must have seen 30-40 moths that day but were only able to capture one. The moths would fly very fast across the road from one property to the other & unless you were standing right where they were crossing, there was no way to run them down. Bad thing is, unless you could get a landowner to give you permission, all of the scrub oaks are behind the fences, so no caterpillars either. I have read that the caterpillars are considered a pest in the New Orleans area early in the spring. Might have to venture over that way sometime, but it's about a 5 hour drive from where I live. Would hate to go & find little or nothing.
Charlie
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