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Category: Bug of the Week (Page 54 of 219)

National Moth Week Starts Today

July 22, 2017 / / 0 Comments

National Moth Week starts today, July 22, and runs through 30, 2017.  It is a great opportunity to investigate moths, as well as to begin to appreciate their unique strengths and beauty.

 

Looking for ideas for information and activity ideas to celebrate moths? Check out the older posts linked below and also look for new posts about suggested activities with moths coming up throughout the week.

Older Moth Posts

Posts from this week:

If you ever want to learn more about moths, check out the moths category in the sidebar.

Or visit our growing list of children’s books about moths and butterflies at Science Books for Kids.

Bug of the Week: In the Blueberry Patch

July 19, 2017 / / 0 Comments

So, what do you bring with you to pick blueberries?

Of course you need your hat and buckets.

But you also might want your camera.

Why?

You might need to take a few photographs of the blueberries to remember the day.

You also might want to take a photograph of some newly-hatched shield bug nymphs.

 

Take a close look at the one on the bottom. It still has the circular lid of its egg stuck to it.

The nymphs look like they are too big to fit in those egg shells, don’t they?

What insects have you found in a blueberry patch?

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Thank you to Justin for holding the leaf upside down so I could take the photograph.

 

Bug of the Week: All About Assassin Bugs

July 12, 2017 / / 1 Comment

We have shown photographs of assassin bugs before, but let’s learn more about them.

(Assassin Bug Egg Mass by Jim Kalisch, UNL Entomology)

Assassin bugs start out as eggs like the ones above.

The eggs hatch into colorful nymphs. They are small at first.

Assassin bugs often are found sitting on flowers lying in wait for other insects to visit. If another insect, such as a fly, caterpillar or leafhopper, comes into reach the assassin bug will capture it and feed on it. Assassin bugs are true bugs, which means their mouthparts are straw-like beaks that are usually tucked under their heads.

As it feeds and molts, the nymph becomes larger. This individual is almost an adult. You can tell by the size of the wing pads on the back of the thorax.

This is an adult assassin bug. Look how its color has changed, such as the legs have gone from spotted to solid green. Now its wings are red and cover the back of the abdomen. If you look really close, you may be able to see its beak curving under its head.

Look at those long antennae. That’s one way it senses its food. It also uses its long front legs.

Assassin bugs like these are members of the genus Zelus. They are common throughout North America.

Have you ever seen an assassin bug like this?

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