tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52453489090372772242024-03-12T22:07:43.908-05:00Insect ArtFine Wall Art and Jewelry made with Real InsectsInsect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.comBlogger61125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-37568785426656521772013-09-06T17:07:00.002-05:002013-09-06T17:07:31.117-05:00Beetle Spreading Demo Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klFRSN3uyNc&feature=c4-overview&list=UUcyTHHMkyh-_iWsAqvP2xmQ">Beetle Spreading Demo Here</a></div>
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As a follow up to the Butterfly Spreading demo videos and kit, I now have a Beetle Spreading Demo video online, and there is a Beetle Spreading Kit available in my online store, www.insectart.etsy.com</div>
<br />Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-78611983454337058682013-01-21T19:57:00.002-06:002013-01-23T15:10:53.355-06:00Butterfly Spreading Tutorials<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/e5a4p63MZpA?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Coming Soon: Butterfly Spreading Kits<br />
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I'm working on putting together some DIY Butterfly Spreading Kits, so you can learn how to prepare and mount your own butterflies! The kit will come with everything you need to do the things shown in this tutorial. Check out the video now to get a preview of what you'll be doing, or see how I make butterflies for you!<br />
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Here is an addendum, where you can see the butterflies being spread from above. Watch the first video first, for the narration. Then, watch this one to solidify things.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r5_qwDubeqk" width="560"></iframe>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-48702330789314415262012-09-08T07:48:00.000-05:002012-09-08T07:52:16.226-05:00New This Year: Holiday Ornaments!<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-sk47hxRPg/UEs820DgVMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4uQMh8mxFcA/s1600/DSC_0047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q-sk47hxRPg/UEs820DgVMI/AAAAAAAAAgc/4uQMh8mxFcA/s400/DSC_0047.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papilio ulysses (Blue Swallowtail)</td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">New for this year: Holiday Ornaments!</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">I have been having lots of fun playing with all these butterfly wings, and am constantly thinking of new ways to use them. I am really excited about introducing two new styles of ornaments this season. This is just a sneak peek at one of the styles. I love these silver snowflakes with a round opening that is perfect to show off the most beautiful of butterfly wings. Look for them soon in several styles, and I'm always happy to customize them if you have a specific species or color you'd like to have on your tree!</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UX6rUmfiXrY/UEs85qJCbLI/AAAAAAAAAgk/Fb_X78LLvVU/s1600/DSC_0055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cairn's Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus sp.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papilio rumanzovia (Red Swallowtail)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Morpho</td></tr>
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<br />Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-36030752924217428252012-06-21T11:56:00.000-05:002012-06-21T11:56:05.933-05:00I have created a new gallery-style piece with 22 different butterflies and moths; I love this look! I'm kind of on a butterfly & moth kick right now, buying up tons of different species and playing around with them. Lots of new species in here for me; I look forward to making more like this!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6rC0FxRojE/T-NRjJoWivI/AAAAAAAAAf4/za4zNPngT5g/s1600/Butterfly+Flock+Big+Insect+Art+Framed+Display+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6rC0FxRojE/T-NRjJoWivI/AAAAAAAAAf4/za4zNPngT5g/s400/Butterfly+Flock+Big+Insect+Art+Framed+Display+1.jpg" width="277" /></a></div>
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Here is the link for more information and to purchase:<br />
<a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/102498828/giant-butterfly-flock-framed-butterfly">Insect Art Online Store: Giant Butterfly Flock</a><br />
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<br />Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-39720201543349483032012-06-07T11:14:00.006-05:002012-06-07T11:14:57.514-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just found out we're moving, so help me clear out some inventory! Take 20% off your entire order with the coupon code "MOVING". Good through this weekend, 6/10</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6NTtqOMj7g/T9DTQ1PTEQI/AAAAAAAAAfo/zcq68YEGKfQ/s1600/Butterfly+Necklace+Promo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="443" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-G6NTtqOMj7g/T9DTQ1PTEQI/AAAAAAAAAfo/zcq68YEGKfQ/s640/Butterfly+Necklace+Promo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-6510282794152075492012-05-23T15:12:00.000-05:002012-05-23T15:12:10.079-05:00New Butterfly Wing Jewelry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Introducing my new line of Butterfly Wing Jewelry: I finally got it right! After over a year of playing around with how to make these, I am finally happy. There are several necklaces in my store now, and more colors are to come! Also, since I am discontinuing all of the butterfly wing jewelry I have made in the past, you can find several good clearance pendants as well.</div>
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Thank you!</div>
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Katie</div>
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<br />Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-5822525835785892922011-02-07T07:51:00.000-06:002011-02-07T07:51:19.014-06:00New Gallery Piece, "Beetle Spectrum" is finished!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">The latest in my Gallery Series, "Beetle Spectrum" showcases a true rainbow of beetles. Nine different beetle species span the spectrum here, beginning with a coppery-brown, and going through red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, silver, and black. 34 individual beetles have been prepared for this piece, including the species: (from top left to bottom right)<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Mycteristes rhinophyllus, Indonesia<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Heterorrhina leonardi, Red Form, Thailand<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Hemipterids from Java<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Euchroea auripimenta, Madagascar<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Lomaptera lucidula, Indonesia<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Eupholus magnificus, Papua New Guinea<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Chlorocara africana, Tanzania<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Curculionid weevils from Indonesia<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />Rutelids from Thailand<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />The wonderful colors of beetles have always amazed me, and I had surprisingly few problems coming up with a beetle for each color of the rainbow here! This piece was inspired by the anonymous quotation “Life is like a rainbow. You need both the sun and the rain to make its colors appear.” This collection will allow you to keep a piece of Nature's rainbow in your home!<br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" /><br style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" />I made the checkered background for this piece by weaving together hand-torn strips of artist paper. Framed checkerboard area measures 12x12". Black wooden "shadowbox" style frame measures 15.5" square from edge to edge. Entire piece is about an inch deep and comes ready to hang on your wall. A sheet of glass protects the beetles (it was removed here for photography). There is a key on the back of the piece that tells each beetle species and countries of origin. The piece is also signed on the back.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 16px;">For more information and to purchase, <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/67442542/beetle-spectrum-ooak-gallery-piece">visit my online store</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TU_4DdBt4RI/AAAAAAAAAeg/cGl2KRRi80E/s1600/Beetle+Rainbow+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TU_4DdBt4RI/AAAAAAAAAeg/cGl2KRRi80E/s640/Beetle+Rainbow+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TU_4FtX3n6I/AAAAAAAAAek/-JR9eL09uE8/s1600/Beetle+Rainbow+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TU_4FtX3n6I/AAAAAAAAAek/-JR9eL09uE8/s640/Beetle+Rainbow+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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</div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-37513986287783117292011-01-27T11:11:00.000-06:002011-01-27T11:11:06.880-06:00Something New...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I thought you might enjoy this picture of some beetles all pinned up and ready to dry. I'm preparing them for a new gallery-style piece that will involve beetles in every color of the rainbow.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TUGmv_cVUgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/vnJLxgx-di4/s1600/Pinned+Beetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TUGmv_cVUgI/AAAAAAAAAeY/vnJLxgx-di4/s640/Pinned+Beetles.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-63876238533420545992011-01-14T16:09:00.000-06:002011-01-14T16:09:27.133-06:00Organizing!Today I took on the project of organizing my "bug room". I found myself quite amused by the number of beetles I have in my possession. Perhaps you too will be amused? The sad thing is, I'm getting ready to make another order! (Yes, there are things I'm out of!) Addicted? No way!!<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course, all of these pictures don't include my butterflies. Those are in another drawer!</span></div></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDHtDzsmhI/AAAAAAAAAeI/8TTxN1Rp8IY/s1600/Flower+Beetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="438" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDHtDzsmhI/AAAAAAAAAeI/8TTxN1Rp8IY/s640/Flower+Beetles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Beetles; by far my biggest category<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDHZYIgu8I/AAAAAAAAAeE/jP_NVZts-B8/s1600/Weevils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDHZYIgu8I/AAAAAAAAAeE/jP_NVZts-B8/s640/Weevils.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Weevils! Some of my favorite insects!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDIwtjkmtI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/hFiiOXFm7bs/s1600/Giants%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDIwtjkmtI/AAAAAAAAAeQ/hFiiOXFm7bs/s640/Giants%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Check out these GIANTS! Those cicadas won't even fit into any of my frames!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDH_8iRtkI/AAAAAAAAAeM/4HpI7C1fKtA/s1600/Special+Beetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: left;"></a></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDH_8iRtkI/AAAAAAAAAeM/4HpI7C1fKtA/s1600/Special+Beetles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDH_8iRtkI/AAAAAAAAAeM/4HpI7C1fKtA/s640/Special+Beetles.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One-of-a-Kind Expensive Beetles! (My splurges)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDI6nOOtgI/AAAAAAAAAeU/MvuNhdaXaRo/s1600/Organized%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TTDI6nOOtgI/AAAAAAAAAeU/MvuNhdaXaRo/s640/Organized%2521.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The End! All organized!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-17163814364852051532011-01-13T09:53:00.000-06:002011-01-13T09:53:48.708-06:00New Beetle and Leaf NecklacesThese real metal-dipped leaves are my favorite new jewelry part! I made several one-of-a-kind necklaces with them recently, and I think the photos turned out great (thanks husband, for my new camera!). Check out these beauties, available very soon in my<a href="http://www.aquakej.etsy.com/"> online store!</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TS8f1vTl3VI/AAAAAAAAAd8/1MCPsCvqJC4/s1600/Beetle+Leaf+Necklaces.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TS8f1vTl3VI/AAAAAAAAAd8/1MCPsCvqJC4/s640/Beetle+Leaf+Necklaces.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-87527317195482724652010-11-12T09:50:00.001-06:002010-11-12T09:51:41.919-06:00Bug Soup!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TN1g1CB5MFI/AAAAAAAAAdw/aE1uPDWwqEs/s1600/Bug+Soup+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TN1g1CB5MFI/AAAAAAAAAdw/aE1uPDWwqEs/s400/Bug+Soup+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Waiter! There's a bug in my soup! ....er....there's 13 bugs in my soup!!!<br />
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Just thought I'd share this "unique" image with my followers since I find it so amusing. :)<br />
This is the way I rehydrate, or "soften", some of my beetles. The dried beetles go into boiling water for 5-10 minutes and that softens them up enough that I can begin moving the wings and legs again. It's a lot faster than putting them in my rehydration chamber for a 24-48 hour hydrating process. Beetles' shells are made from chitin, which is an extremely tough substance, so this quick soak in water doesn't affect the color of most species.<br />
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Some butterflies can be done this way, but it's a risky process which I only do in emergencies. You can't let their wings touch the water at all, so you have to sit there holding them with a tweezers, just dunking the body parts. <br />
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Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TN1iQDpez8I/AAAAAAAAAd0/DT8Rh3WJOY0/s1600/Bug+Soup+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TN1iQDpez8I/AAAAAAAAAd0/DT8Rh3WJOY0/s640/Bug+Soup+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-5572722461021603292010-09-03T16:04:00.000-05:002010-09-03T16:04:24.303-05:00Caterpillar Visitor!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TIFiD_mn40I/AAAAAAAAAdc/YkwjVrRO3rg/s1600/monarch+caterpillar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TIFiD_mn40I/AAAAAAAAAdc/YkwjVrRO3rg/s400/monarch+caterpillar.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
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I was coming home this afternoon and I saw this right by my front door! A Monarch caterpillar! Since there is no milkweed in my front yard (that's what the caterpillars eat), I am suspicious that he might have left his food source to find a place to build his chrysalis. That would be cool to watch! I'll post more pics if I see him again!Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-5570708033028679752010-08-03T09:59:00.001-05:002010-08-03T10:00:07.014-05:00Lawrence Public Library Show<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguCi5iLaI/AAAAAAAAAdE/AWMi2n3COog/s1600/IMG_0095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguCi5iLaI/AAAAAAAAAdE/AWMi2n3COog/s640/IMG_0095.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
I have finally finished installing my show at the Lawrence Public Library! All of my framed pieces are there (and I do mean <b>all </b>of them!) throughout the month of August. They are spread out among three walls; they are hanging in both entryways and in the "media room" above the CDs. To make my show more educational, each piece has a title card that tells what insect species is being used and its country of origin. The title cards also have a price and my contact information, if you go there and see something you'd like to buy! Hope you can check it out if you're in the Lawrence, KS area! It'd be a fun, free, and educational outing for you and/or your kids!<br />
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Where: Lawrence Public Library, 7th & Vermont St., Lawrence KS<br />
When: August 1-31, 2010<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguNr67EDI/AAAAAAAAAdM/CGRwk2L_LZU/s1600/IMG_0090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguNr67EDI/AAAAAAAAAdM/CGRwk2L_LZU/s400/IMG_0090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguUIwmhOI/AAAAAAAAAdU/DYWHhig_hnU/s1600/IMG_0091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TFguUIwmhOI/AAAAAAAAAdU/DYWHhig_hnU/s400/IMG_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-20181758835572925502010-07-14T14:44:00.003-05:002010-07-15T10:20:55.201-05:00AIF #6: "Beetle Surprise!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://aninordinatefondness.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/aif_2b_200x214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://aninordinatefondness.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/aif_2b_200x214.jpg" /></a></div><br />
If there's something most beetles are good at, it's surprising me! I am often amazed by their various forms and colors as I work with them in an artistic light. Beetles can surprise us with more than just their looks, though. Throughout this issue of "An Inordinate Fondness" Blog Carnival, we'll look at some ways that beetles have surprised our contributors. Who knows, perhaps you too will discover a happy surprise in this issue!<br />
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The first submission is perhaps the most touching; the author woke up to discover that they could no longer see in color! On their way to the doctor, they happened to look down and something green caught their eye! It was, of all things, a green beetle! <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://memorizingnature.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/beetle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://memorizingnature.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/beetle1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>All of the sudden, the author could only view beetles in full color. It turned out to be temporary, thank goodness, but it gave the author a new appreciation for beetles. To read more about the special "beetle vision" the author acquired, read the full story at <a href="http://memorizingnature.com/2010/06/06/beetle%C2%A0manifestation/">Memorizing Nature's blog</a>. <br />
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Another happy beetle surprise occurred when the author of Ptygmatic's blog took home what they thought was a stick full of moth larvae. When they matured, they turned out to be (surprise!) Cerambycid beetles! Read the full story <a href="http://ptygmatics.wordpress.com/2010/07/08/beetle-rearing/">here</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ptygmatics.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/dsc_8699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://ptygmatics.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/dsc_8699.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This next beetle has a surprise, but it might not be a good one! Look too closely, and this guy will shoot a stream of toxic blistering agent at you! It's so powerful that it has been known to kill horses! <a href="http://nobonesaboutit.wordpress.com/2010/07/07/golden-but-rusty/">Click here</a> for the accompanying short article.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://nobonesaboutit.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/20100704_butdryisland_0012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://nobonesaboutit.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/20100704_butdryisland_0012.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Along the lines of "not so good" surprises, this next author stumbled upon what they thought was an exciting find: tiger beetles. Not just one, either...several gorgeous specimens ranging in color from green to purple, and all wonderfully textured and metallic. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/phd4me/July%202010-The%20North/greenmorph2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/phd4me/July%202010-The%20North/greenmorph2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/phd4me/July%202010-The%20North/redmorph3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://i660.photobucket.com/albums/uu330/phd4me/July%202010-The%20North/redmorph3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><h1 style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;"><br />
</h1><div>Sadly, these gorgeous creatures had a surprise up THEIR sleeves, so to speak.....they weren't Tiger Beetles at all! After further investigation, they turned out to be a more common (and easier to catch!) type of Marsh Ground Beetle. Oh well, they're still pretty! Read all about the collecting adventure <a href="http://falltoclimb.wordpress.com/2010/07/06/i-caught-tiger-bee-awwwwww/">here</a> at Fall To Climb's blog.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>Next, for your viewing pleasure, a naughty surprise! Menage a Trois, weevil-style!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OsidO2UbunA/TAqjVxptJ2I/AAAAAAAACk4/wKFPzv7bhWs/s1600/hollyhock+weevils.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OsidO2UbunA/TAqjVxptJ2I/AAAAAAAACk4/wKFPzv7bhWs/s400/hollyhock+weevils.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Coming to us from MOBugs' blog, the weevils in question are known commonly as Hollyhock Weevils. An import from Southern Europe, they were first discovered in the U.S. in 1914 and have spread like crazy ever since. Given a look at this picture, it's not hard to imagine how that happened! Interestingly, the female is on the bottom here, with the longest "nose". She uses this rather showy (for a female, at least) appendage to chew into hollyhock flowers for egg-laying purposes. Read more about Hollyhock Weevils <a href="http://mobugs.blogspot.com/2010/06/menage-trois.html">here</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Now, for a more G-Rated surprise, did you know that "June Bugs" could be so pretty? Please <a href="http://www.sybilofdelphi.com/blog/2010/07/07/june-beetles-in-july/">click here to find out! </a> The surprise here for me is that I could not get this photo to import into my blog. Sorry! ;)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Luckilly, there was a second entry about June Beetles with another gorgeous photo that I was able to upolad: </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OsidO2UbunA/S8C7IdoDmgI/AAAAAAAACWc/twTVYxVsSmw/s1600/junebug+2_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_OsidO2UbunA/S8C7IdoDmgI/AAAAAAAACWc/twTVYxVsSmw/s320/junebug+2_edited-1.jpg" /></a>Please visit <a href="http://mobugs.blogspot.com/2010/04/june-bugs-or-may-bugs-are-one-of-most.html">MOBugs' blog </a>to learn more about these common spring/summer residents. You will find out why they fly around so aimlessly, and you'll be surprised to learn that the adults can't even eat! Just like some moths, they do all their eating in the larval stage and end up starving to death when they mature and (if they're lucky) breed. I guess I just learned why they aren't still around...</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The author of "Blue Jay Barrens" blog was pleasantly surprised when, after learning about Tiger Beetles from the wonderful blog <a href="http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/">"Beetles in the Bush"</a>, he was able to go out and find some for himself, right at home in Ohio! Here is one species he was able to photograph surprisingly easily:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ptWUooLvw14/TCdiA5zY9DI/AAAAAAAAFUY/l6x_aKet328/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ptWUooLvw14/TCdiA5zY9DI/AAAAAAAAFUY/l6x_aKet328/s320/1.jpg" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Read about how he was able to locate it </span><a href="http://bluejaybarrens.blogspot.com/2010/06/eastern-red-bellied-tiger-beetle.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">. The species is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">the Eastern Red-Bellied Tiger Beetle,</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Cicindela rufiventris.</span></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On <a href="http://bluejaybarrens.blogspot.com/2010/07/punctured-tiger-beetle.html">another collecting trip</a>, the same author found this guy, the "Punctured Tiger Beetle":</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ptWUooLvw14/TDIxEXPZjnI/AAAAAAAAFbI/M1VHdLPkdmI/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_ptWUooLvw14/TDIxEXPZjnI/AAAAAAAAFbI/M1VHdLPkdmI/s320/3.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The next surprise is from Myrmecos: he reveals to us a beetle that is surprisingly resistant to all types of pesticides! The Colorado Potato Beetle has evolved to detoxify more types of pesticides than any other type of insect. The Potato Beetle itself was in for a nice surprise when, in the 1840's, humans trekking West introduced it to their potatoes! Before then, the "Potato Beetle" ate native plants that were very un-potato-like. Read more about this interesting and beautiful beetle <a href="http://scienceblogs.com/myrmecos/2010/07/friday_beetle_blogging_colorad.php">here</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Dave Stone, of "All Things Biological", was surprised to find this scarab beetle in his house! He also got a surprisingly great photo of it! <a href="http://thingsbiological.wordpress.com/2010/06/30/scarab-beetle-3/">Click here</a> for the link. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Also contributing their surprisingly beautiful photos of beetles is Orion Mystery. You won't want to miss <a href="http://orionmystery.blogspot.com/2010/06/some-wonderful-weevils-of-malaysia.html">these weevils!</a> (Seriously, check them out! I'm having trouble uploading photos from Flickr, so I apologize for not having a preview.) I've seen lots of weevils, but there were a few surprises for me in with this batch! Really super-weird-looking weevils!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here, from All Things Biological, is a surprising color variation of the Two-Spotted Lady Beetle. They usually are red with black spots, but here is one that is black with red spots! Read more about it<a href="http://thingsbiological.wordpress.com/2010/06/27/many-variations-of-the-two-spotted-lady-beetle/"> here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://thingsbiological.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/dsc_0299_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://thingsbiological.files.wordpress.com/2010/06/dsc_0299_3.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Margarethe Brummermann was in for a nice surprise when she went hiking in Arizona: she found this gorgeous scarab specimen with a very localized distribution. I'm sure she was surprised to find them all over her shirt and hat! Read more about her lovely hike <a href="http://arizonabeetlesbugsbirdsandmore.blogspot.com/2010/06/dichelonyx-truncata-in-sedona.html">here.</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yEYVsjOEgYE/TB7_6RxwouI/AAAAAAAAAXY/hOmrfpdXgWQ/s1600/5-29-2010+477.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_yEYVsjOEgYE/TB7_6RxwouI/AAAAAAAAAXY/hOmrfpdXgWQ/s400/5-29-2010+477.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Our own Ted MacRae was in for a nice surprise as well, when he gambled on taking a rather impulsive collecting trip to look for North America's largest Tiger Beetle, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Amblycheila cylindriformis. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">His hunch paid off when he was able to collect these fine specimens! Read more about his pursuit of these beetles </span><a href="http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/2010/07/04/amblycheila-success/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span></em></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><em><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;"><br />
</span></span></em></span><a href="http://beetlesinthebush.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/img_3052_enh_1200x800_usm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://beetlesinthebush.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/img_3052_enh_1200x800_usm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">To finish up, scroll down to my <a href="http://www.insectartonline.com/2010/07/beetles-in-costa-rica.html">latest blog entry</a> to see the surprisingly awesome beetles I was able to see "in the wild" on my recent trip to Costa Rica! Each one of them was a pleasant surprise, but these two were the most impressive:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzALsUlBxI/AAAAAAAAAb8/8l9kpC3kxUQ/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzALsUlBxI/AAAAAAAAAb8/8l9kpC3kxUQ/s400/IMG_0060.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzDIY-PPoI/AAAAAAAAAc0/iXDl3yajLE8/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzDIY-PPoI/AAAAAAAAAc0/iXDl3yajLE8/s640/IMG_0246.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div><br />
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</div><div>I hope the wonderful world of beetles has inspired you today, and that you were pleasantly surprised by something you saw here! Happy Hunting! <br />
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Learn more about "An Inordinate Fondness" Blog Carnival <a href="http://blogcarnival.com/bc/cprof_8938.html">here!</a><br />
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</script>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-18213296077816526012010-07-13T14:55:00.002-05:002010-07-14T14:52:31.439-05:00Beetles in Costa RicaWe saw lots of really cool bugs in Costa Rica last month, but I am dedicating this blog entry to beetles. The most beautiful, by far, was this perfectly shiny gold one:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzALsUlBxI/AAAAAAAAAb8/8l9kpC3kxUQ/s1600/IMG_0060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzALsUlBxI/AAAAAAAAAb8/8l9kpC3kxUQ/s320/IMG_0060.JPG" /></a></div>I'm holding this specimen because it was, sadly, dead. You can see a crack on its head....maybe something tried to eat it. I put it on the ground to photograph in a more lifelike pose:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzArZb34eI/AAAAAAAAAcE/hypQj9iugz4/s1600/IMG_0062.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzArZb34eI/AAAAAAAAAcE/hypQj9iugz4/s320/IMG_0062.JPG" /></a></div>The next day, we were lucky enough to find another of these guys, alive! It was dark outside and very difficult to photograph, so there aren't any more pictures, but this thing was really awesome to see walking around. It looks like some kind of Rutelid to me, but can anyone narrow it down any further? We saw it in the Cloud Forest, near Monte Verde National Park.<br />
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Another cool beetle....again, possibly a Rutelid....was this guy, also in the Cloud Forest:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzBZ8yQjcI/AAAAAAAAAcM/2aIDbJI-9ug/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzBZ8yQjcI/AAAAAAAAAcM/2aIDbJI-9ug/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" /></a></div>Near that guy, I spotted this surprisingly blue Tiger Beetle! I was lucky to get a photo; he was quick!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzBp20zGfI/AAAAAAAAAcU/yH1vSG5Vuo8/s1600/IMG_0037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzBp20zGfI/AAAAAAAAAcU/yH1vSG5Vuo8/s320/IMG_0037.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">At night, we saw this guy, possibly another Rutelid:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCHsG_CdI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DlIpLzoPMZs/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCHsG_CdI/AAAAAAAAAcc/DlIpLzoPMZs/s320/IMG_0381.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">My husband was lucky enough to make a friend! This guy reminded me of a big June beetle, but it is perhaps yet another Rutelid of some kind?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCmZoTFcI/AAAAAAAAAck/T0gOBYCi4bE/s1600/IMG_0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCmZoTFcI/AAAAAAAAAck/T0gOBYCi4bE/s320/IMG_0361.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCukszj0I/AAAAAAAAAcs/wFbSCV_cUH0/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzCukszj0I/AAAAAAAAAcs/wFbSCV_cUH0/s320/IMG_0362.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Besides that super-cool gold Rutelid, my other favorite beetle was this guy:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzDIY-PPoI/AAAAAAAAAc0/iXDl3yajLE8/s1600/IMG_0246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzDIY-PPoI/AAAAAAAAAc0/iXDl3yajLE8/s400/IMG_0246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>We made his acquaintance at a butterfly zoo. The curator had seen it out on a walk, and recognized it as an endangered species. He took it to the zoo and placed it in captivity for a short time for observation. He took it out of the cage for us, and I put my hand next to it so you can see how HUGE he really was! I could hardly believe this thing was real! You see them on TV or read about how big they get or even see them dead in collections, but to see the actual living specimen was very special indeed.<br />
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During a night hike in the Cloud Forest, I came across another Tiger Beetle; this time, a royal purple one with an iridescent finish and tiny hairs covered in dew. Beautiful!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzERWcrQ0I/AAAAAAAAAc8/kMQKZu6vwoQ/s1600/IMG_0407.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TDzERWcrQ0I/AAAAAAAAAc8/kMQKZu6vwoQ/s400/IMG_0407.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I hope you enjoyed seeing these photos half as much as I enjoyed seeing them in person! If anyone can offer any kind of identification advice, I would love to know what I saw!Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-56798799565423107472010-06-27T14:18:00.000-05:002010-06-27T14:18:20.721-05:00New Beetle Tie Clips!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiWgH4CmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/PgifElLX-lI/s1600/IMG_0106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiWgH4CmI/AAAAAAAAAbs/PgifElLX-lI/s320/IMG_0106.jpg" /></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiPOFEjaI/AAAAAAAAAbc/nYZBeaXsmdI/s1600/IMG_0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiPOFEjaI/AAAAAAAAAbc/nYZBeaXsmdI/s200/IMG_0112.jpg" width="200" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiSMmLjYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/X49fjK_nBeI/s1600/IMG_0085.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiSMmLjYI/AAAAAAAAAbk/X49fjK_nBeI/s320/IMG_0085.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiIizb2nI/AAAAAAAAAbM/I1AKnVosd1s/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiIizb2nI/AAAAAAAAAbM/I1AKnVosd1s/s320/IMG_0089.jpg" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeia0n-YuI/AAAAAAAAAb0/8gH6l9Emxic/s1600/IMG_0102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeia0n-YuI/AAAAAAAAAb0/8gH6l9Emxic/s200/IMG_0102.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiIizb2nI/AAAAAAAAAbM/I1AKnVosd1s/s1600/IMG_0089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiM9jSqLI/AAAAAAAAAbU/L6rBYICcFCA/s1600/IMG_0096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TCeiM9jSqLI/AAAAAAAAAbU/L6rBYICcFCA/s320/IMG_0096.jpg" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have finally located some tie clip and tie tack backings, so I have been busy creating some new designs for men! I guess I have a lot of green scarab beetles...each one is different but all are beautiful! Check out <a href="http://www.aquakej.etsy.com/">my shop </a>to see what is currently available, if you'd like one!</div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-56890067271031354502010-06-15T09:56:00.000-05:002010-06-15T09:56:57.638-05:00Bugs of Costa Rica<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TBeQkGhS8oI/AAAAAAAAAa8/46hXUJQS_mY/s1600/IMG_0255.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TBeQkGhS8oI/AAAAAAAAAa8/46hXUJQS_mY/s320/IMG_0255.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I recently returned from a trip to Costa Rica, where I was able to see LOTS of cool bugs in their natural habitat! Please enjoy these photos I took and if you have any information about these particular insects, please add a comment below! I would love to have some identifications! The above is Morpho helenor, but that's about all I can tell you. :) If you would like to see the photos bigger, please visit my facebook photo album containing these same pictures, but larger, and with a bit of a description: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=224476&id=147353895860&ref=mf">http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=224476&id=147353895860&ref=mf</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TBeUK7f11bI/AAAAAAAAAbE/kdc45mPzzbQ/s1600/Costa+Rica_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/TBeUK7f11bI/AAAAAAAAAbE/kdc45mPzzbQ/s640/Costa+Rica_2.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-76432311271680965372010-04-15T15:29:00.002-05:002010-06-12T16:13:16.696-05:00The Return of Bughouse Chess!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Bughouse Chess II</span></span></div><div><br />
</div><a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464905611867602" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d35p97ddI/AAAAAAAAAak/PLnXtf5ggtQ/s400/IMG_0039.jpg" style="display: block; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 300px;" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Finally, the return of "Bughouse Chess"! The first edition of this series was very popular and sold almost right away. Several people inquired about my making another, and so, two years later, here is the second incarnation. Each "Bughouse Chess" piece is one of a kind and unique. While each "chess board" is made in the same way, the bug "players" will be unique to each piece. <br />
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This piece has a "green/gold" team and a "red/copper" team. A complete list of beetle species will be included on the back of the frame for the winning buyer. There are a total of 32 beetles in this piece. The King and Queen on each team have been carefully decorated with real gold or copper leaf and Swarovski crystals. The king and queen of the red team are decorated in copper leaf and black & white crystals, while the royals on the green team are decorated in gold leaf with black, white, and green crystals. Gold leafing real beetles is a time intensive process that requires a very steady hand! Each end product is totally unique. <br />
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The chess board has been woven by me with strips of hand-torn black and white artist's paper. Chess board measures 12x12", and the entire framed piece measures 16x16x1". The average height for each beetle is about one inch. This piece comes framed, ready to hang on your wall. If you are interested in purchasing, please visit <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii">the listing in my etsy store</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464819762811426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d30qJ60iI/AAAAAAAAAac/UESzglZZbWY/s400/IMG_0031.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3pvOGp5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/xtqTOi0uNfg/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464632143980434" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3pvOGp5I/AAAAAAAAAaU/xtqTOi0uNfg/s400/IMG_0037.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 300px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464540040197090" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3kYG2c-I/AAAAAAAAAaM/6FPoqq9C38M/s400/IMG_0042.jpg" style="float: left; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 300px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464442334117378" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3esH5_gI/AAAAAAAAAaE/kWwf4JJh2xI/s400/IMG_0033.jpg" style="display: block; height: 300px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464329489398130" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3YHvoOXI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/As2_Y52LlH0/s400/IMG_0025.jpg" style="float: right; height: 343px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/44858408/bughouse-chess-ii" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="insect art" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460464256066484994" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S8d3T2OPewI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/tmjaSUDYrLY/s400/IMG_0029.jpg" style="float: left; height: 400px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-top: 0px; width: 300px;" /></a></div></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-46681616491974597512010-03-30T10:18:00.000-05:002010-03-30T10:56:25.568-05:00New Insect Paintings by Augustina Droze<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S7IXx5lyunI/AAAAAAAAAZs/aw3Lp5ewUxc/s1600/Paintings+Insect+Circle+1+ADroze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 399px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S7IXx5lyunI/AAAAAAAAAZs/aw3Lp5ewUxc/s400/Paintings+Insect+Circle+1+ADroze.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454448244739455602" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:georgia, serif;">Check out these fantastically detailed paintings from Chicago Muralist Augustina Droze! Droze has painted many large-scale murals throughout the world, and is now turning her attention to a new, smaller, series of insect paintings. </span></div></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">She says: </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', sans-serif; line-height: normal; "><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">I have been fascinated with insects since a very young age. I have always viewed them as </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">beautiful creatures</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> that are misunderstood. My latest series of oil paintings celebrates the unique qualities of insects. Painting has long been a source of mediation to me. Inspired by Buddhist </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Mandala</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> paintings I am creating mediation rings of insects. The beautiful patterns on the wings and bodies form a hypnotic composition.</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">To me, the act itself of creating these paintings is meditative. The paintings are open to interpretation and some people view them as flowers or kaleidoscopes.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0pt; margin-right: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-left: 0pt; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">This foray into insect art is a new venture for me. I have been focused for the pa</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">st ten years on mural painting as the proprietor of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Augustina</span></span> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Droze</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> Mural Studio, Inc. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">My murals can be found around the country in private residences, commercial settings, and public spaces. Many of the scenes have a nature theme and often the subject matter is magnified. I find the natural world fascinating to paint. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">Go to </span></span><a href="http://www.admuralstudio.com" style="color: rgb(85, 26, 139); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 255); font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;">www.admuralstudio.com</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"> to see a portfolio of my mural work.</span></span></p></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 23px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><br /></span></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S7IXiKuJMVI/AAAAAAAAAZk/-hZRZP3cdTA/s1600/Painting+in+Progress+Updated+ADroze.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 293px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S7IXiKuJMVI/AAAAAAAAAZk/-hZRZP3cdTA/s320/Painting+in+Progress+Updated+ADroze.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454447974459978066" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S7IXcFYmK3I/AAAAAAAAAZc/aoiuQJRC-pc/s1600/Paintings+Insect+Circle+1+ADroze.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;"> </span></span></span></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Here is a photo of her working on another new insect piece. I love her attention to detail and the wonderful, bright colors she chooses. The way she captures light on each insect makes them look very real! What do you think the artist is trying to say with this series? I find them speaking to me about the natural beauty that is all around us each day. Seeing through Augustina's eyes, we can all catch a glimpse of nature's color palette. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Please visit Augustina's web page </span></span><a href="http://www.admuralstudio.com/site/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000000;">here</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> to see more examples of her inspiring nature murals. You can even hire her to paint a mural for you!</span></span></div></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-32926150610092760762010-03-18T08:15:00.000-05:002010-03-18T08:26:16.143-05:00"North America's Largest Jewel Beetle"<div>I recently came across this article by a local Entomologist and found it very interesting. Check out this gorgeous Jewel Beetle from Jamaica! Notice especially how it changes color as it matures! The photo below is the fully mature beetle, while the author's photo below this purple specimen shows a newly emerged adult.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.hondurasbutterfly.com/gigantea.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 234px; height: 272px;" src="http://www.hondurasbutterfly.com/gigantea.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div class="posttitle" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><h2 style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font-family: Georgia, Verdana, Arial, serif; font-size: 1.4em; letter-spacing: 1px; font-weight: normal; "><a href="http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/2010/03/12/north-americas-largest-jewel-beetle/">North America’s largest jewel beetle</a></h2><p class="postmetadata" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; font-size: 0.9em; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); ">March 12, 2010 by <a href="http://beetlesinthebush.wordpress.com/author/tcmacrae/" title="Posts by Ted C. MacRae" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 94, 21); ">Ted C. MacRae</a></p></div><div class="entry" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 1em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 1em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 0px; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; "><div class="snap_preview" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "></p><div id="attachment_6316" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="padding-top: 4px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 10px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; display: block; border-top-width: 1px; border-right-width: 1px; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-width: 1px; border-top-style: solid; border-right-style: solid; border-bottom-style: solid; border-left-style: solid; border-top-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-right-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-left-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); text-align: center; background-color: rgb(243, 243, 243); -webkit-border-top-right-radius: 3px 3px; -webkit-border-top-left-radius: 3px 3px; -webkit-border-bottom-left-radius: 3px 3px; -webkit-border-bottom-right-radius: 3px 3px; width: 510px; "><a href="http://beetlesinthebush.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/euchroma-gigantea_2.jpg" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; text-decoration: none; color: rgb(38, 94, 21); border-bottom-color: rgb(153, 102, 51); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; "><img class="size-full wp-image-6316" title="Euchroma-gigantea_2" src="http://beetlesinthebush.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/euchroma-gigantea_2.jpg?w=500&h=333" alt="" width="500" height="333" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-image: url(http://s0.wp.com/wp-content/themes/pub/mistylook/img/shadow.gif); background-repeat: no-repeat; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; border-top-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; background-position: 100% 100%; " /></a><p class="wp-caption-text" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 4px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 4px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 17px; font-size: 11px; ">Euchroma gigantea in Jamaica. Photo © Steve Meyer</p></div><br />In recent weeks I’ve featured a few jewel beetles that I have encountered amongst specimens sent to me for identification . While the new distributions and even unknown species that they represent are fascinating from a scientific perspective, their diminutive size (~6 mm in length) probably makes them less than spectacular to the non-specialist. The family Buprestidae does, however, contain some very large species, including a few that qualify as bona fide giants. One such species,<em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Euchroma gigantea</em> (Giant Metallic Ceiba Borer Beetle), occurs from Mexico through Central America, the West Indies, and most of South America. At a maximum of 65mm in length, it is not only North America’s largest jewel beetle, but also the largest jewel beetle in the entire Western Hemisphere.<p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; ">My colleague Steve Meyer encountered and photographed this individual in Negril, Jamaica. Although its scientific name translates to “colorful giant”, the beetle in the photo is especially so due to the delicate, waxy bloom covering its elytra. This bloom is secreted by the adult after transforming from the pupa and prior to emerging from its larval host, giving it a bright yellow-green appearance. After the beetle emerges and becomes active, the bloom is quickly rubbed off and the beetle takes on the shiny, iridescent purple-green color by which it is more familiar. The presence of bloom on this individual suggests that it had just emerged from the trunk of the kapok tree (<em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Ceiba pentandra</em>) on which it was sitting. Kapok and other large trees in the family Bombacaceae serve as hosts for larval development for this species (Hespenheide 1983).</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; ">Indigenous peoples in Central and South America have long utilized the dazzlingly colored elytra of these beetles to create beautiful natural jewelry and adorn their clothes and textiles. The species is also eaten in both the larval and adult stages – Tzeltal-Mayans in southern Mexico (Chiapas) roast the adults when available, and the Tukanoans (northwestern Amazon) also eat the larvae (Dufour 1987). I have eaten a few insects in my day, but none as thick and massively juicy as the grub of this species must be. Holometabolous larvae typically contain a rather high percentage of fat (up to 66% dry weight) to meet the demands of pupal development and adult reproduction, and I suspect this makes the larvae quite tasty (especially when roasted). If there is any insect in the world that I really, really, really want to eat – it is the larva of this one!</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">REFERENCES:</strong></p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0.25in; line-height: 1.6em; text-indent: -0.25in; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Dufour, D. L. 1987.</strong> Insects as food: A case study from the northwest Amazon. <em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">American Anthropologist</em> 89(2):383–397.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0.25in; line-height: 1.6em; text-indent: -0.25in; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Hespenheide, H. A. 1983.</strong> <em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Euchroma gigantea</em> (Eucroma, giant metallic ceiba borer), p. 719. <em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">In</em>: D. H. Janzen [ed.], <em style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Costa Rican Natural History</em>, University of Chicago Press, Chicago.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><strong style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; ">Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 2010</strong></p></div></div></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 19px; font-family:verdana, tahoma, arial, sans-serif;font-size:12px;"><div class="post-6315 post hentry category-buprestidae category-coleoptera category-euchroma tag-beetles tag-entomology tag-entomophagy tag-indigenous-cultures tag-jewel-beetles tag-natural-history tag-north-americas-most tag-west-indies" id="post-6315" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 2em; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-width: 1px; border-bottom-style: dashed; "><div class="posttitle" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:130%;color:#000000;"><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0.7em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0.7em; margin-left: 0px; line-height: 1.6em; "><b><br /></b></p></span><p></p></div></div></span></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-34754243918771999692010-03-12T12:08:00.000-06:002010-03-12T12:18:56.285-06:00Why are Female Moths Bigger?<div><b>New Research Explains Size Difference in Moths:</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5qDKPqrCwI/AAAAAAAAAZM/m-9aa-W2UiQ/s1600-h/atlasmothonecocoon+012.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5qDKPqrCwI/AAAAAAAAAZM/m-9aa-W2UiQ/s400/atlasmothonecocoon+012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5447810911285480194" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="text-align: center;"> Image is of an Atlas Moth & Cocoon piece I made and sold a few years back.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px; "><b>Sexual Dimorphism</b> is the term used to describe how one sex differs from the other in a particular animal species. A good example of this in the insect world is how female moths are larger than their male counterparts. Why would large size be a benefit for females? It seems likely that female insects can benefit from larger sizse because that means they are able to lay more eggs and produce more offspring. The tricky question that has, thus far, eluded scientists is: <i>How</i> do female moths grow larger than the males, given that they have the exact same genetic configuration for growth? Scientists have recently "thought outside the box" on this issue by studying the larvae (caterpillars) instead of the adult moth, and have come up with a simple solution: Female caterpillars spin their cocoons later than the males, so they have more time as caterpillars to keep eating and thus, grow larger than the male caterpillars, who are more in a hurry to metamorphosize. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;">Read the whole story <a href="http://uanews.org/node/30577">here</a> in an article published by the University of Arizona.</span></span></div></span>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-37552396649966388162010-03-05T11:42:00.000-06:002010-03-05T14:47:26.779-06:00Insects in Ancient Art: Part One<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5FHc9IMyCI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WkLcua_jguw/s1600-h/beetle+wing+cloth.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5FHc9IMyCI/AAAAAAAAAZE/WkLcua_jguw/s400/beetle+wing+cloth.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445211987238504482" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Did you know that real insects have been used in art for thousands of years? That's right; what I do isn't a new idea at all; it's just a variation on a theme that has been repeating itself throughout human history. The Museum of Fine Arts in Boston houses a few pieces of artwork featuring real insect parts; here are a few examples of beetle wings being used for three very different purposes:</span></span></span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Above, you can see a textile (part of a cloth bag) from India that was made for Colonial Americans in the early 1800s. It's made from silk, gold, and beetle wings! Notice how well those beetle wings have held up over the past 200+ years!</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></span></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Below is a watercolor painting from India dating to the mid 1600s. The painting is interestingly titled "</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Krishna Loosens His Beloved's Belt" or "The Deceitful Hero".</span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">What I find most interesting about this painting (just one in a series) is that real beetle wings are used as "jewels" to accent the piece. All of the little green shiny things you see here are beetle wings: look for them in Krishna's headdress and on the "awning" of the room the couple is in, among other places. I am personally amazed that these beetle wings are still around after 400+ years! I hear real beetle wings have even been found in Egyptian tombs, as part of necklaces. I am searching to see if I can find a photo of that for everyone to see. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 280px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5FGM25HbpI/AAAAAAAAAY8/ZSJ0KryBJC0/s400/beetle+wing+painting.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445210611175091858" /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Below, we see a flute made by the La Compa Indians in Peru. It dates to "before 1920" and is made out of a bone, beetle wings, and feathers.</span></div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 251px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S5FElsoggDI/AAAAAAAAAYk/Rl6IFp8jrIs/s320/beetle+wing+flute.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5445208838894551090" /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I apologize for the annoying underlined text in this entry! I am still learning how to use my new Mac!! Look for more antique and ancient Insect Art in future posts!</div></div></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-33856256270057220082010-02-27T10:23:00.000-06:002010-02-27T10:35:59.050-06:00"Slimy, yet Satisfying"?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4lJgKUTzYI/AAAAAAAAAYU/eiFx8_XbFOQ/s1600-h/mopane+worms.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4lJgKUTzYI/AAAAAAAAAYU/eiFx8_XbFOQ/s320/mopane+worms.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442962441528135042" /></a><div><br /></div><div>Here is the first thing I will share with you regarding Entomophagy, or, the eating of insects (by humans). I'm not saying I have ever or will ever eat an insect, but when you think about it, they are a perfect source of protein that could solve the world's hunger problems while being kind to the environment at the same time. For example, anyone can farm bugs. It doesn't take a lot of land or resources; bugs aren't hard or expensive to feed. They don't require veterinary care, and they reproduce in vast quantities. If your insect farm is wiped out, you won't loose everything; new stock is cheap and easy to acquire. Even the processing is easy; it would be so much easier to "slaughter" a caterpillar than a cow. Most people could probably handle that, so farming your own protein would be easy to do, from start to finish. </div><div>With that little seed planted in your head, check out this interesting article about a South African delicacy, the "Mopani Worm" (actually not a worm, but a moth caterpillar). It is said to be the most consumed insect in the world. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.insecta.co.za/ZArticles/Mopani/mopani2.htm">http://www.insecta.co.za/ZArticles/Mopani/mopani2.htm</a>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-54975728516404699592010-02-25T09:52:00.000-06:002010-02-25T10:07:32.280-06:00A Cute Spider?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4adDI1BykI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ux4ZgPVmB8A/s1600-h/phoenix+trip+049.jpg"><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4adDI1BykI/AAAAAAAAAX0/ux4ZgPVmB8A/s400/phoenix+trip+049.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442209876958890562" /></a><br /><div>Doesn't everyone just love </div><div>Salticids (Jumping Spiders)? </div><div><div>I sure do! They are the cute<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 259px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4afjhwmOtI/AAAAAAAAAYM/mllIkcxyZ94/s320/phoenix+trip+046.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442212632430262994" />st!! I found this little guy cruising our picnic table whilst on vacation in Arizona. He helped me test out the macro function on my camera! </div><div>Can anyone identify him?</div><div><br /><div><div><br /><div><br /><div><br /><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 242px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_uPLNxmM4G9I/S4afLppUOsI/AAAAAAAAAYE/90mq5nZ7UAE/s320/phoenix+trip+045.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442212222230346434" /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5245348909037277224.post-2357561653928831522010-02-23T07:40:00.000-06:002010-02-23T07:43:37.465-06:00Did Insects Kill the Dinosaurs?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-size: 12px; line-height: 18px; "><h1 style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; font: normal normal normal 22px/1.2 Arial; "><br /></h1><h1 style="font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; font: normal normal normal 22px/1.2 Arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'trebuchet ms';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#990000;">I just came across this interesting article; what do you guys think? Is there some truth to it?</span></span></span></h1><h1 style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; color: rgb(62, 62, 62); font: normal normal normal 22px/1.2 Arial; "><br /></h1><h1 style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 22px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; color: rgb(62, 62, 62); font: normal normal normal 22px/1.2 Arial; ">Insects - 1 Million, Dinosaurs - 0</h1><div class="date" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); font: normal normal normal 11px/1.65 Verdana; ">Tuesday March 4, 2008</div><div class="entry" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; zoom: 1; "><div style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.8em; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 5px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 5px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; width: 170px; float: right; "><img src="http://z.about.com/d/insects/1/0/S/1/-/-/plateosaurusAB.jpg" alt="Dinosaur illustration" style="margin-top: 0.25em; max-width: 100%; width: 170px; height: 170px; border-top-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-bottom-style: none; border-left-style: none; border-width: initial; border-color: initial; " /><br />Illustration: Alain Beneteau/www.paleospot.com</div><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; ">Look around. See any dinosaurs? Nope, not a single dinosaur to be found. Insects, on the other hand, are everywhere and the species count tops one million. Somewhere around 65 million years ago, insects and dinosaurs shared the planet. So how did insects continue to thrive, while the dinos disappeared?</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; ">The answer lies in amber, according to researchers George and Roberta Poinar. The Poinars studied insect guts and dinosaur feces preserved in the prehistoric tree sap. In their book, <em style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; ">What Bugged the Dinosaurs? Insects, Disease and Death in the Cretaceous</em>, they assert that the rise of insects ultimately sealed the fate of the dinosaurs. Insect guts revealed pathogens of disease, powerful enough to sicken large reptiles. In the dinosaur feces, the Poinars uncovered intestinal parasites spread by "filth-visiting insects," in their words. Were bug bites alone enough to knock of T-rex? Not likely, but let's call that strike one.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; ">As insects rose to power (okay, that might be an exaggeration, but allow me some poetic license), they brought along the flowering plants. Insects pollinate, and pollination means more flowers. The ferns and gingkoes that fed the dinosaurs were displaced. Strike two for the lumbering lizards.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; ">A final piece of the "insects trump dinosaurs" theory suggests that insect pests out-competed the dinosaurs for their traditional, and now diminishing, food sources. One hornworm took out most of my tomatoes last summer, so I can sympathize. Strike three, you're out.</p><p style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-top: 1.5em; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; "><a href="http://dinosaurs.about.com/b/2008/01/06/did-bugs-kill-the-dinosaurs.htm">Read</a> Dinosaur Bob's (aka Bob Strauss, About.com Guide to Dinosaurs) take on the theory.</p></div></span>Insect Arthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05932756789786650804noreply@blogger.com3