Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I am kind of going back and forth about posting from Flickr. On the one hand, posting here directly does let people view selected pictures in a larger format. But posting from Flickr lets one alternate pictures with text.
Anyway... Here are more pictures from last August. There is still a lot more to do!

First up is a cute little planthopper which looks like Jikradia olitoria.
Plant hopper by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Many flies are actually rather striking or even beautiful. This marsh fly (Tetanocera something-or-other) is one of the 'striking' ones, I suppose, but I am also rather fond of them since this species is one of the first that I had photographed in this hobby.
Marsh fly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

Butterflies that have wing damage seem to evince a life that has been well lived. This viceroy butterfly (Limenitis archippus) really shows it has been around the block a few times. It was foraging on flowers in the same direction that I was ‘foraging’ across a field, so we kept bumping into each other for a couple hours.
Viceroy butterfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

A friend of mine from work knew of my… peculiar interests … so she gave me a box of dirt that had a pupating Sphinx moth. That did not work out (the pupa was badly deformed and so it would never come out well), but when inspecting it I noticed this furtive movement on the dirt. It was this cool bug that I had never seen before! Meet the evocatively named “masked hunter” (that is its real common name). These are wingless assassin bugs that decorate their bodies with soil particles as camouflage. The Latin name is Reduvius personatus.
Masked hunter by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr

The final picture shows a common weevil, Otiorhynchus sulcatus. I like weevils (they are widely liked by the macro crowd), but I do wish to find the acorn weevils which are the ones with a super long snout. They should be around here since we have lots of oak trees.

(Download)

RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

Super catches.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

Superb images, professional quality in every aspect. I truly enjoy seeing them and the narratives are highly educational for a fellow like me.

rwilson1942 Loc: Houston, TX

tinusbum Loc: east texas

really good shots,i especially liked the wingless assassin bug,new to me

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

I had a vague recollection of seeing pictures of them at some point (probably from BG). But had never seen one before. With that camo one can see why!

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

Accomplished photography for sure, I image lots of those assassin bugs get overlooked.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

The only way I have found many weevils is to save nuts and acorns in small vented containers with screen. They emerge starting in spring and you get a variety over the season. Other insects too. And , yes, acorn weevils, too. Watch closely, some weevils are only about a mm in length and go thru the screen.
Bill

PS, look now at the base of Mullen and Nicotina plants for many overwintering beetles. A Berlieze funnel helps.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Really nice set, Mark.

docshark Loc: Millersville, PA

Nice set of shots Mark. Loved the assassin bug.
-Doc

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

I think National Geographic could recruite at this site. Beautiful.
Many pest control sites have pics of these. I found them in a rental in NJ. Along with bedbugs.(got my $ back and moved). Dust, dirt,lint and bedbug husks stuck to them. They don't seem to continue this as winged adults. Tho these do not carry disease, a relative with similar habits, The Blood Sucking Conenose, (Kissing Bug, Mexican Bedbug), Triatoma sanguisuga, is a carrier of Chagas disease. This plagued Darwin.
Bites by the masked Hunter.
Firsthand experience, the bite swells, inches and is generally worse than a bedbug bite. They stink, so do bedbugs. They bite when rolled into. Unlike the bedbug, PAIN when bitten. Not a pleasant experience. They are apparently moved by man, along with bedbugs, meaning 'may come
to a theater near you'.
Bill

Mark Sturtevant Loc: Grand Blanc, MI

Thank you,
I don't pick up assassin bugs. No-sir. Heard too many stories of people getting bitten when one just crawls or lands on you. Have not seen a wheel bug (a VERY BIG assassin bug) for some years. If and when I do I will be very excited. But I ain't picking it up.

napabob Loc: Napa CA

nice informative series, imagine many would miss the well camouflaged assassin if it didn't move

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

As I have learned, experience is not the best teacher. BAD experience of another is, if you pay attention.
I was about ten when a wheel bug got me. They are quick. A two week necrotic,( didn't even know the word then), sore the result. Reduviids are hazard to your health.
Bill
PS, wheel bugs common here. I can send early stage nymphs if you like. They must not be released into the wild. Easy to rear, eatamous anybugamous.(Warner Bros. Talk)
Bill

raymondh Loc: Walker, MI