Brown Marmorated Halloween

Not even pumpkins are safe!  A true creepy critter: the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug was accidentally introduced from Asia and damages a huge range of plant species.

When insect photography goes bad

The beautiful tachinid fly Trichopoda pennipes, cooked medium-rare a la torchiere

 Trichopoda pennipes is a parasitic fly that attacks true bugs, and is the particular dipteran responsible for 'death by maggot'.  In addition to devouring leaf-footed bugs from the inside, this Halloween-colored insect also attacks stink bugs, and has been used as a biological control agent for some species in Europe.  For some time now I've been wanting to get a picture of these 'feather-legged flies' laying eggs on stink bugs, and so was delighted to catch a mating pair this afternoon.

Unfortunately, Trichopoda like many insects exhibits a behavior that entomologists call "positive phototaxis."  This is the same behavior that draws a moth to a flame, or as it were, a pair of flies to a 300-watt halogen floor lamp.  As soon as I opened the container both flies spiraled upward with Icarus-like disregard, achieving results comparable to the myth.  Alas, rather than the oviposition action shot I had hoped for, we are left with this photo of another upside-down insect.

Her mate, I am afraid, fared even worse and could not be salvaged at all.  Consequently, it smells of charbroiled death in here, and I am inspired to retire for the evening.

The martha of all butterflies

Live your wildest dreams with Martha - that is if you, like me, dream of B.O.U.S.s (Butterflies of unusual size)

Want to bring all the splendor of a summer meadow into your bedroom? Well apparently you can with the new...GADZOOKS THOSE ARE HUGE!

I doubt very much that Martha consulted her entomologist before publishing this advertisement.  Not only do mutated butterflies adorn the wall, but also multiple size variants of what looks like Urania ripheus - a cool day flying moth from Madagascar.  The scene recalls to mind the classic tabloid headline: "Farmer shoots 6-ft. butterfly!"

Thanks to my grandmother for thoughtfully putting this advert aside for me!

Way to go...

Stiretrus anchorago the Anchor Stink Bug, in copula, with a twist.

 The anchor stink bug is a predatory pentatomid species that is found in Delaware, but looks very little like a stink bug at first glance.  While taking care of a lab colony of these bugs this mating pair caught my attention.  I was soon amazed to see that the female was upside down, or I suppose she was right side up depending on your perspective.  I soon realized the cause of this bizarre mating arrangement:

um, was it good for you?

That's right - I'm not sure this was a consensual act, or perhaps accepting this male was the female's last earthly act.  Either way, this is the first incidence of insect necrophilia that I have ever witnessed.  I suppose that wont do much for the male's reproductive success - especially if this is indicative of his mate preferences in the future.

Nothing says "I love you" like a maggot.