A Bug for Dan

[Dan From Smithville]

I reckon that's it because it started screaming when I accidentally ran over it with the shopping trolley

Oops. They are pretty vocal. We are getting ready for a mass emergence of periodical cicadas this year. Billions of them all buzzing and singing all over the place. In some places, there will be broods of the 13 and 17 years cicada broods emerging together.

I've seen three five in my lifetime.

 

[John53]

Oops. They are pretty vocal. We are getting ready for a mass emergence of periodical cicadas this year. Billions of them all buzzing and singing all over the place. In some places, there will be broods of the 13 and 17 years cicada broods emerging together.

I've seen three in my lifetime.

3 species or 3 cicadas?

 

[Dan From Smithville]

3 species or 3 cicadas?

Actually five emergences starting in 1972. The 13 year brood.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

3 species or 3 cicadas?

I believe the species is Magicicada tredecim here in Missouri.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

3 species or 3 cicadas?

An emergence of millions of individuals over a short period of time during roughly May and June. One brood can emerge across several states. It is pretty impressive.

 

[John53]

Actually five emergences starting in 1972. The 13 year brood.

Oh ok lol. I don't know why I thought you meant 3 cicadas. They are hard to spot. I hear hundreds in the morning but rarely see them.

 

[John53]

Leaf Curler Spider, he keeps hiding when I try to get a photo. Phonognatha graeffei - Wikipedia

 

[John53]

I think this one is a Black Soldier Fly? If so I believe they're introduced here. There's been a few of them hanging about my corn. Seem to be a pretty useful insect according to the wikipedia page. Hermetia illucens - Wikipedia

 

[John53]

This one is tiny, maybe 1mm at the most so it's a dud photo because I can't hold the camera still enough. Maybe an adult aphid?

 

[John53]

Paper Wasps, I think we have native and introduced ones but I'm not sure which these are.

 

[John53]

Another Cicada I think, this one was much smaller than the last one. About 25mm long.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Another Cicada I think, this one was much smaller than the last one. About 25mm long.

View attachment 87489View attachment 87490

You can really see the ocelli on cicadas.

Any luck on ID?

 

[John53]

You can really see the ocelli on cicadas.

Any luck on ID?

Nope, seems to be a million cicadas that all look the same.

Did you see the other pics? I went on a rampage around the yard yesterday afternoon.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Nope, seems to be a million cicadas that all look the same.

Did you see the other pics? I went on a rampage around the yard yesterday afternoon.

No. I didn't. Doh!

I'm looking now.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

I think this one is a Black Soldier Fly? If so I believe they're introduced here. There's been a few of them hanging about my corn. Seem to be a pretty useful insect according to the wikipedia page. Hermetia illucens - WikipediaView attachment 87436

I was just about to say soldier fly. I believe you are correct.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

This one is tiny, maybe 1mm at the most so it's a dud photo because I can't hold the camera still enough. Maybe an adult aphid?

View attachment 87437

I can't be absolutely certain, but I think it might be a thrips. That's another order, Thysanoptera. They are very tiny, thin, with fringed wings and mostly phytophagus with some predatory species. Apparently fungivorous according to what I'm reading. Don't know if I knew that and forgot or if it is new info. Functionally new anyway. And some of the buggers will bite. It's like a sharp, brief, pinprick.

Thrips - Wikipedia

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Paper Wasps, I think we have native and introduced ones but I'm not sure which these are.

View attachment 87438

I saved response for the best till last.

That is an awesome shot! They look so formidable in this picture. And they are, but you capture that pretty dang well. I like how the inside of the cells are viewable and the egg is visible too. Wasps are ever fascinating to me.

We have 8 species in Missouri and all native species if I recall correctly.

My old advisor once told me that they will tap you just before they sting. I'm not sure if that is a warning behavior or a side effect of targeting, but it wasn't long after that advice that I experienced it for myself. Something tapped me lightly on the side of the face and then fire.

 

[Dan From Smithville]

Paper Wasps, I think we have native and introduced ones but I'm not sure which these are.

View attachment 87438

When you asked if I had seen the other pictures, as I was scrolling up to look, I immediately stopped on this one and was just blown away. It really is a good picture John.

I just picked up a book by Eric Eaton called Wasps; The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect. It is a popular review of wasps with brief summaries of the various groups, important biological features and lots of photos. I haven't read through it yet, but this picture would have fit perfectly in it.

 

[John53]

When you asked if I had seen the other pictures, as I was scrolling up to look, I immediately stopped on this one and was just blown away. It really is a good picture John.

I just picked up a book by Eric Eaton called Wasps; The Astonishing Diversity of a Misunderstood Insect. It is a popular review of wasps with brief summaries of the various groups, important biological features and lots of photos. I haven't read through it yet, but this picture would have fit perfectly in it.

It's a testament to the camera and editing software. I took the photo close to dusk and up under the eaves of the house so there wasn't much light.

The photography experts poo poo my camera as a gimmick or toy, there's so many bad youtube reviews of it but I think it does a top job and when it comes to photography I'm a learner and just use the auto settings most times.

Nikon Coolpix P1000 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Dan From Smithville]

It's a testament to the camera and editing software. I took the photo close to dusk and up under the eaves of the house so there wasn't much light.

The photography experts poo poo my camera as a gimmick or toy, there's so many bad youtube reviews of it but I think it does a top job and when it comes to photography I'm a learner and just use the auto settings most times.

Nikon Coolpix P1000 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Looks like it does the job and the proof is in the portrait.

That would be a good time for a photo shoot with paper wasps. Less likely to get irritated I would think and still enough light for a picture.