White Grubs, or simply “grubs”, are actually the larva form of scarab beetles. While there are thousands of different species, their basic life cycle is the same:

• April: third instar larvae burrow up from below the frost-line where they have been waiting all winter
• May: larvae continue to feed on plant/grass roots
• June: pupate for 1-3 weeks to metamorphize into beetle
• July: emerge as beetle and feed on plant leaves
• August: lay eggs for next season, 30-40 per female
• September: emerge as first instar larvae and feed
• October: molt every 1-3 weeks until full grow larvae (third instar)
• November: burrow below frost line and wait for Spring

These insects are most vulnerable during their first months as a larvae, so spraying during the Fall is highly recommended. I have read several pest control sites that say spraying during the Spring is pointless - the larvae are just too resistant in their mature and/or pupa form.

The picture in this entry is actually taken by me - we found this little guy in one of our potted plants from last year while gardening over the weekend. You can view two larger pictures, where fine hairs can be seen. I am told that entomologists can use the patterns of these hairs to identify the species of beetle.

The Giant Water Bug is an aggressive predator of fresh water. It is also commonly called a “toe-biter” (guess why). While they primarily live in ponds, lakes, and streams Giant Water Bugs will occasionally leave the water to fly around light sources at night. Some people who see these large insects buzzing around lamp posts at night often mistake them for cockroaches; of course, since we know that cochroaches actively avoid light, these people are morons.

Giant water bugs are not scavengers: they love to hunt. They are large enough to capture small fish, tadpoles, and snails. Giant water bugs first capture prey with their powerful legs. Once in their grasp prey are pierced with a pointed mouthpart, injected with a digestive enzyme that liquefies tissue, and sucked dry like a giant smoothie. Yum!

The Potato Bug is a very large insect, often exceeding 2 inches in length. Because of it’s size and appearance humans have come up with some interesting names for this bug: “Jerusalem Cricket”, “Old Bald-Headed Man” (Native American translation), “the Devil’s spawn”, and, my personal favorite, “Satan’s fetus.”

Although a potato bug’s strong mandibles can inflict a painful bite on humans, they are not poisonous and are considered “mostly harmless.” Potato bugs generally live underground and have been found burrowing around homes and gardens. While they do eat potatoes they typically prefer the underground roots of plants, shrubs, and trees.

If you want to learn more you can read the humorous PotatoBugs.com or the more scientifically correct Field Guide version.

The ant lion, or Myrmeleontidae if you want to be precise, starts out life as a plump slow-moving larva with two oversized pincers. Because it is too slow to catch most of it’s prey the larva constructs a sand trap (shaped like a “V”) and buries itself at the base of the pit until only it’s pincers are visible.

The ant lion larva now only needs to wait patiently at the bottom for ants (or other insects) to slide down the sloped sides of the sand trap into it’s open jaws. If it’s hapless prey is able to catch itself before falling to the bottom the ant lion will throw loose dirt toward the trapped insect, helping it to slip further towards it’s doom!

After up to two years as a larva the ant lion will encase itself in a cocoon, undergo metamorphosis, and emerge as a slender winged adult.

You just can’t get any cooler than giant hornets that can kill yaks.

The giant Asian hornet (Vespa mandarinia) has earned the nickname “yak killer” from local villagers. At nearly 2 inches long, they’re the world’s largest hornets. Victims describe their quarter-inch-long stingers as feeling like a hot nail. The stinger delivers a lethal venom that dissolves human tissue, and, as the name implies, can kill a yak.

This hornet was just one of several new and/or endangered species reported on by scientists from Conservation International and Disney’s Animal Kingdom (yes, Disney). The joint team spent two months exploring and documenting several remote regions of Tibet.

Man, I just love macro photography. Igor Siwanowicz shows us how it’s done by capturing some of the most striking images of insects I have ever seen. My only wish is that the pictures had a 4:3 ratio so they would make better desktop backgrounds.

I found a sweet bug site where people post pictures of insects and others try to help identify them. It’s more interesting than it seems at first - where else can you find an entire section devoted to insects getting it on? Example post:

I found this little guy running around my bathroom ceiling this morning. I have never seen anything like it before. The body was flat and thin and I couldn’t tell if the appendages at the front were claws, stingers, or just oddly shaped antennae.

Each post includes a picture which makes for some pretty amazing imagery.

The little green bug in this post is a Stink Bug (or “Shield Bug” if you prefer not to hear giggles). They can be found in large numbers around farming areas and enjoy eating crops such as cotton, tomatoes, beans, any type of fruit, corn, peppers and cabbage.

Stink Bugs earned their name because they have a special defense mechanism: when handled or disturbed they will produce a “sweet and foul” odor from glands in the thorax (is it strange that I suddenly crave sweet and sour chicken?). This smell helps them to avoid being eaten by several species of birds and lizards, and usually embarasses them during gym class or while reading in the library.