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Category: Bug of the Week (Page 198 of 219)

Bug of the Week: Earwigs

January 7, 2009 / / 1 Comment

Our bug this week has an interesting name: earwig. The etymology of the name is almost as interesting as the entomology of the insect. I have read that the word comes from everything from a corruption of ‘perwig’ meaning “to scold” ( I guess because of their agressive-looking tail posture), to the old English ‘earwicga’ which means “ear beetle.” The mythology surrounding the name is even more varied, but I won’t go into it here.

It’s rather chilly this week, but there’s always activity in the compost heap. That’s where I found the earwigs.

earwig

Earwigs have a pair of forceps-like pincers at the end of their abdomen.

earwig

They tend to avoid the light and scurry away.

earwig

The youngsters look just like tiny adults.

earwig

Although the tail looks formidable, this species is harmless. There are some species that can give a pinch if they are picked up, however, so always use caution around insects you haven’t had experience with before.

These earwigs are scavengers. They are often active at night and hide in crevices or under things during the day. They also like dampness.

Where do you find earwigs?

Bug of the Week: Giant Crab Spider

December 31, 2008 / / 13 Comments

The deserts of Arizona have quite a few unusual arthropods. The sight of some of them can cause visitors to hop right out of their boots. Last night I had one of those in my upstairs bathroom. Here is what I saw:

It is sitting the bottom of the bathroom door, to give you some idea how big it is. What would you do if you saw this?

I have to admit I took these photos in a rush. Not because I was afraid of this giant spider, but because I was afraid our kitten might catch and eat it. I wanted to put it outside quickly in order to save its life.

This is a prime specimen of a giant crab spider, one of the largest spiders around. It can easily get to be 2 inches across. Giant crab spiders don’t build a web, they chase down other arthropods for food at night. Crickets are a favorite snack. They are called crab spiders because their legs extend sideways rather like a crabs.

Can you see the eyes? The big black structures in front are its chelicerae, or jaws. Although it can bite, it is not particularly dangerous. The only potentially harmful spiders we have here are black widows and Arizona brown spiders, a relative of the brown recluse.

I went and got a large glass and a card. I set the opening of the glass over the spider, slid the card under gently so I could lift it from the surface, and then carried the spider outside. It ran away into the night when I let it go. I wished it good luck.

The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has more information about the giant crab spider and other desert arthropods.

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