Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Here are more from last August. Remember August?

To kick things off, here is a crane fly that was sitting on my sky blue shed. It is not from the usual family (Tipulidae), but rather from the Limoniidae family.
Limoniid crane fly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Next is one of several green walking sticks that I found while visiting my brother in Iowa. This one was doing a decent job trying to blend in with the leaf veins. The second picture shows how nicely the front legs nestle in around the head and antennae. This species is Manomera blatchleyi. I will later show a different and very large species that I found last summer.
Blatchley walking stick by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Blatchley walking stick by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

So raise your hand if you think brown marmorated stink bugs are interesting. No one? That is probably to be expected. Marmorated stink bugs (Halomorpha halys) are an invasive species, and they are rather boring in appearance and also a bit annoying since they like to spend the winter in houses. But as is common in Hemipterans, this insect changes its appearance as it grows up, and it turns out that mid-stage nymphs are actually rather adorable. I mean, just look at this little dude (or dude-ette)! It’s like a fusion between heavy metal rock and glam rock. But in a couple molts it will have discarded the avant-garde dress code of its youth for the dull grey-brown business suit of adult stink bug-hood. I am definitely going to be on the lookout for more of these youngsters during the coming summer.
Brown marmorated stink bug nymph by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Toment Loc: FL, IL

Those are great shots!
Thanks for sharing

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

An excellent set. Very nicely done.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

tinusbum Loc: east texas

pretty stink bug,nice shots

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Really good images Mark, I love the Stick insect close up especially. I think the Green Stink bug instars are also pretty, this one is very striking. Well done again.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

These have replaced our local brown, generic stink bug. Good. Much easier to kill, less in numbers by a lot (not very scientific, but I didn't count), not as foul smelling, and a local Specid uses nymphs as parasitize food for the young. We came out ahead.
Bill

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Great set Mark. I think that's the same suit on the stink bug that I wore back in the70's. Love the shots of the stink bug. Sitting in a motel room for the last day of the survey here in Florida. Not a dragon day. Cold windy and cloudy with a front coming through and a chance of rain. Good day to work on my shots from the last few days.
-Doc

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Wonderful series and highly informative. I enjoy seeing your posts and I always learn something new from them.

Rich Maher Loc: Sonoma County, CA

Very nice set Mark. I'm sure many of us appreciate the info that you include with your always great shots.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

nice info and shots, am always enamored by the beauty of the designs and coloration of critters, and like the weather, all you have to do is wait a bit and it changes.......................have never spent much time with walking sticks but they are certainly intriguing

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI

Outstanding!!

Pysanka Artist Loc: Rochester, NY

Hey I'm raising hand!! Great shots!!! I just have to tell you my granddaughter (5) came over one day with a small box for me -- it was a gift. I thought "oh how cute, probably some handmade jewelry." Well I opened that little box and inside were two stinkbugs!!! Boy did I laugh -- my granddaughter knows I like bugs!!