Entomology

All of Orthoptera (grasshoppers, katydids, crickets, etc) were tolerant of my photography shenanigans during a hike the other day. These in particular (Roeseliana roeselii) were just stunning!

Spent some time looking for what specific bumblebee, digger bee, or carpenter bee this might be. Couldn't figure it out.

An old photo of mine... I don't remember how I managed to spot this.

I didn't even notice the baby on the back when I was photographing this scorpion. Absolutely adorable. Utila, Honduras.

In Sri Lanka, the first systematic study of fireflies was carried out by British naturalists in the 18th century, but afterward, there was a loss of interest in studying these fascinating creatures.

Shedding new light on Sri Lanka's firefly fauna, researchers and at least one enthusiastic amateur continue to study them today, resulting in several discoveries.

Sri Lanka is home to 16 firefly species, while Abscondita perplexa and Asymmetricata humeralis are more common and show a countrywide distribution.

In 2010, the researchers recorded Curtos costipennis for the first time in Sri Lanka, making it the first firefly member of the genus Curtos found in Sri Lanka.

Taking the first step, Wijekoon published the book "Fireflies of Sri Lanka," which is the first-ever comprehensive book on the taxonomy and ecology of fireflies in Sri Lanka, addressing the long-felt need and research gap in firefly literature in the country.

Gene Simmons has nothing on these gals. Possibly Eucera spurcatipes?

Not sure which is longer, the name or the bug.

Not the best picture, but I spotted this little friend crawling on my pile of folded laundry in the living room. He appeared to be carrying an ant. We scooped him up with my daughter's bug catching kit (where I tried to get a picture) and let him go outside.

They're pretty cute. :)

Not sure of the exact species, possibly Cassida japana.

Super cool approach to mitigating a near-future problem.

I promise not to spam this community with random pics, but I adore common blues, and was delighted when I stumbled upon this. I somehow never see them in pairs. I figured I'd share!