What's Bugging You?

Well it's been a few (again) since I've posted.  I have good intentions but then time and distractions get the best of me and before I know it a month has gone by between posts.

 So today it's all about....Bugs

So last year we found loads of these caterpillars in the flower beds.  Some were green and some were black but they were all the same type of a caterpillar.  They turn into White Lined Sphinx Moths (also known as a hummingbird moth).
 

We never did see the moths and this year we haven't seen a single caterpillar.

 

Last year for one of the 52 Frames assignments I photographed a bunch of slugs trying to get one with a good shadow.  So while technically not a "bug" I'm sharing this shot.

 

 

Saw this pretty little butterfly on the rose bushes this summer.  I believe it's a Monarch butterfly but I could be wrong.  I was just excited to get a photograph of one.  Upon close examination you can see she has a slight tear in her lower right wing.

 

One day hubby came in and noticed this very weird looking bug sitting on his notebook.  We took some pictures and then set it free.  

 

 Turns out it was a, Banded Alder Borer Beetle.  The say it's black and white but the white color has a bluish tint to it in my opinion.  You can click on the link to read about them.  Weird and cool looking bug.

 

 We see these around here quite often.  Praying Mantis (Mantid)

This one was green.

 

 This one was brown and landed on Coleen/Jupiter's arm while she was out mowing.

 Praying Mantis Folklore

• The French once thought that a praying mantis would point a lost child home.
• In some parts of Africa, it is considered good luck if one of these curious creatures lands on you.
• The Greek word mantis means “prophet” or “seer.” Because of the way the insects hold up the fronts of their bodies and position their huge forelegs when at rest, it appears as though they are praying for insight.. 

 

 Recently spotted this lovely Katydid in the garden.  On the opposite side of the bloom was a very common insect/bug...

Yep, a fly.  I wonder if it became lunch for the Katydid!

Finally we have another, Cat-Faced Orb Weaver hanging around.  I've posted before about this type of spider.  You can read about it here - We find this type of a spider very fascinating to watch.

This one has spun quite the web and every night she comes out to wait for something to get caught in her web.  She's devoured several elder bugs and some aphids already.

Well if you aren't squeamish about bugs and critters then I hope you've enjoyed your visit here today.  If you are...I apologize for traumatizing you.  - Enjoy the rest of your day and don't let things,

"bug" you!

 

 

"Whatever" Wednesday - Bug Wonderment.

Bowling Scores from yesterday.  I'm actually excited about listing most of them this week.  First game,  137 (not so great but not bad)  Next two games  199 and 198!!!
Smoked the lanes those two games but couldn't break over to a 200 game.  I'll keep on trying.

Welcome! - Last week I wanted to go out and get some pictures of a few things that I had seen while driving around town but didn't have my camera with me at the time. - Yes I know I should always carry it with me but sometimes I forget.    Coleen was going along with me for the ride and just before we got in the car she spotted a bug on the side of the house and ask me what it was.  Here is our first view of the bug,

It's a Katydid.  - They look similar to a grasshopper but they are a totally different insect.  After several shots on the house we decided to move the bug to a different location so it could find something to eat.  That proved to be a bit more tricky then we had anticipated.  I tried to use a piece of paper  to entice the bug onto but it had other ideas and instead flew onto the car.


                                                                                                            I like this shot of Coleen watching the Katydid as it made it's way up the car. 

This next shot shows the "wonderment" of a child so perfectly.  The Katydid is rather blurry but the joy on Coleen's face is not.

At this point our Katydid was on the side mirror of the car.

Trying once again to move this bug it flew and landed in the driveway. 

Coleen didn't want me to run over it when we left so we made one last attempt to move the Katydid...Once again it flew and this time to a much safer spot.

                                                                                                                                                            
                                                             Can you see me now?

We went on our way and I'm sure the Katydid did the same!