Bug of the Week

Week 7
   Three questions:  1.  What family of insects is represented here?   
                             2.  It is clearly a nectar feeder, which typically doesn't have a lot of nasty chemicals in it.
                                   Do you suppose this species is able to make some nasty chemicals anyway? What is the reason for your answer?
                             3.  What is the appropriate name for the forewings in this group of insects?  

                             © James Adams, 1995

Week 6
        Three questions:  1. Please provide the FAMILY and SUBFAMILY for this insect.  Myrmeleontidae; Ascalaphinae (SOME other answers acceptable)       
                                   2. Why are these insects given the common name that they have?   The common name is owlflies. These insects have BIG eyes and are active nocturnally.
                                   3. Explain how the larvae make a living. Predaceous; active on the ground, in leaf litter, on plants, they wait for prey.

Week 5
      Three questions:   1. What SUBORDER and FAMILY are these insects in? Heteroptera, Rhopalidae
                                  2. Give a likely reason as to why these insects are grouped together like this.
                                      This image was taken in November on the south side of a building. Likely for warmth in the late fall.
                                  3. Do you suppose these insects are bad-tasting?  Why? Yes, because the red and black coloration is likely aposematic, indicating bad taste.

Week 3
   Three questions:  1.  What SUBorder is this insect in? Caelifera
                              2.  What family is this insect in?  Romaleidae
                              3.  Is this insect hemi- or holometabolous?  Hemimetabolous


Week 2
    Three questions:  1. What Order is this hexapod in?       Thysanura/Zygentoma
                               2. What Family is this hexapod in?   Lepismatidae
                               3. What feature(s) allow this hexapod to escape predators with some ease?
Quick of foot, flattened body, scales that are easily shed when grabbed.


Week 1
    Three questions:   1.  Is this an insect or a non-insect hexapod?   Insect 
                               2.  What Order is this hexapod in?  Coleoptera
                               3.  What Family is this hexapod in?   Scarabaeidae  

©  James K. Adams, 2012