Bugs and Butterflies

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by C1ay

Small nitpick. The common Harvestman is actually of the order named Opiliones and not a true spider even though it is an arachnid. All true spiders have two body parts, the cephalothorax and the opisthosoma. Harvestmen do not have this division. Spiders have fangs, harvestmen do not. Harvestmen do not produce silk either. See the FAQ on Opiliones for more info. FWIW, there is also a spider family, Pholcidae, that are sometimes called daddy long legs spiders but they are not Harvestmen.

Your points are correct. The FAQ link you posted is very informative.

[Cedars]

I received word today that a Dainty Sulphur butterfly (Nathalis iole) was approved for the Minnesota Butterfly list for the county I photographed it in. This was a photo I took on my canoe trip. These bad boys were very difficult to shoot and the person who approves MN sighting complimented my patience in this endeavor. I have seen these guys several times this summer and was unable to capture the moment. This day there were many of these guys flitting by on the bank of the river. I think I spent about an hour in this spot to get these photos.

Species Detail | Butterflies and Moths of North America

I also captured a shot of a Common Buckeye on the Wisconsin side of the river that was approved for that county. I have posted a pic of this butterfly before and its listed in my images if you want to view it.

[Ganoderma]

nice job, must be proud!

i use plastic 5 gallon paint buckets. i cut maybe 1/3-1/4 around and down to about 4"from the bottom. i also leave a couple inches at the top so i can put the lid on for dark shots. in the past i have glued various things around the inside (ie bark) just to give a background other than white. then i decorate it in the field so that it at least sort of represents its real habitat.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Ganoderma

nice job, must be proud!

i use plastic 5 gallon paint buckets. i cut maybe 1/3-1/4 around and down to about 4"from the bottom. i also leave a couple inches at the top so i can put the lid on for dark shots. in the past i have glued various things around the inside (ie bark) just to give a background other than white. then i decorate it in the field so that it at least sort of represents its real habitat.

I have enjoyed participating in the butterfly reports. You dont have to submit the information with an image, a simple sighting report works as well. I choose to use the photo because I am not an expert and this confirms it beyond a doubt. I have mis-ID the Dun Skipper for two different submissions. Some of the Skippers are very difficult to ID.

Next year, for those types I am absolutely sure of, I will submit a basic statement of sighting.

The bucket idea is a good one. I am thinking that by cutting out a piece on the side and glueing it over with a bit of screen, one could prompt the bug to that side giving you more opportunity to get a good shot of the top side. Maybe a center piece of glass or something clear to give a belly shot when needed. Or a slide out so you could alternate the cut out between screen and glass. Plexiglass maybe that one could heat and curve for a tighter fit....

You have given me something to ponder. Thanks!!

[Turtle]

this garden spider is guarding my tomatoes.

YouTube - spider

[Buffy]

Originally Posted by Turtle

this garden spider is guarding my tomatoes.

Is a spider a bug? Or is "bug" both Insectae and Arachnae?

Hates all of them anyway,
Buffy

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Turtle

this garden spider is guarding my tomatoes.

Looks like a very well fed spider. Have you tried tossing some flys into the web and filming that?

Do the spider legs have little hairs on them? Yeah, I am asking you to look

[Turtle]

Originally Posted by Buffy

Is a spider a bug? Or is "bug" both Insectae and Arachnae?

Hates all of them anyway,
Buffy

i presumed a spider was a bug, but when you pressed me i had to research further. by this source, yes, a spider is a bug.

Originally Posted by freedictionary

Noun 1. bug - general term for any insect or similar creeping or crawling invertebrate.

bug - definition of bug by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.

my impression of bugs varies by circumstance.

Originally Posted by Cedars

Looks like a very well fed spider. Have you tried tossing some flys into the web and filming that?

Do the spider legs have little hairs on them? Yeah, I am asking you to look.

i went to check. no hairs i could see (yet); i broke a main web anchor trying to get close. however, in the interviening time from my posting the video, the spider had caught & wrapped 2 yellow-jackets and either a third or a honey bee. again, i disturbed the spider & web trying to get a close shot. i'll check again tomorrow. tricky getting everything to go right eh!?? the good part is i got a new camera as a birthday gift & i can get back to business.

[Cedars]

Originally Posted by Turtle

i went to check. no hairs i could see (yet); i broke a main web anchor trying to get close. however, in the interviening time from my posting the video, the spider had caught & wrapped 2 yellow-jackets and either a third or a honey bee. again, i disturbed the spider & web trying to get a close shot. i'll check again tomorrow. tricky getting everything to go right eh!?? the good part is i got a new camera as a birthday gift & i can get back to business.

So how many birthdays a year do you have??

A spider wrapping up yellow jackets... Thats pretty impressive. I have seen other spiders cut the web to release those guys rather than take a chance of getting stung.

I asked about the leg hairs because one of the posts I read in bug guide said that was one way (probably not foolproof) of determining whether its a type of orb weaver (hairy) or house spider (not hairy).

I bet Gandomera will have a clue or two on this aspect.

Hairy leg sample pic:
Female Orb Weaver, Sunnyvale, CA - Araneus diadematus - BugGuide.Net

[Ganoderma]

i have used a thin clear plastic to cover the hole with very fast species....i tried screen but it distorts the photo too much (so does the plastic).


bugs are not insects or arachnids. they are the order Hemiptera. things like tree hoppers, assassin bugs, aphids, plant lice, scales and stuff. seems mostly sucking type stuff.

but in an everyday conversation i have heard people call centipedes, insects, arachnids, crustaceans, even snails bugs. i just went to a "bug" museum and have some bag pics of pinned stuff...some cool ones.

here are some live ones.