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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Topic Author's Original Post - Aug 21, 2012 - 01:20pm PT
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So I see we have the "Birds" thread. I figured It would be cool to have an "Insects" thread. Not sure if one has been started, but if so I can delete this one. Spiders and other Arachnids are welcome as well.
Feel free to post all insect/arachnid related stories, pictures, jokes, etc.. here.
I'll start off with a pic of the resident grasshopper(katydid) in my yard.
Edit: So I'm a space cadet. Just noticed I spelled "insects" wrong on the title for this thread (dohhh!!). Looks like it will have to stay that way unless I re-start the thread. Carry on.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 21, 2012 - 01:23pm PT
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I thought maybe "insetcs" was a new climbering gizmo. ;-)
Here's lookin' at you, kid!
Sorry about the 'noise' but I had to shoot at high ISO.
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Ghost
climber
A long way from where I started
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Aug 21, 2012 - 01:45pm PT
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No pictures, but a question:
For the last few days, we've been visited by crickets. There seem to always be a couple of them hanging from the ceiling somewhere in the house.
And the question? Well, we live in Seattle, and I've never seen a cricket in my life -- most of which was spent in Canada, but the last ten years in Seattle. So why the crickets all of a sudden? It's been unusually warm and dry for the last ten days or so, but then, most years have a week or so of unusually warm weather. Why didn't I see a cricket before?
Not that I'm complaining. They're cute little guys -- beautiful green color -- and they don't do anything except sit upside down on the ceiling until they die, and then I find them on the floor.
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 21, 2012 - 01:48pm PT
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Crickets are a fact of life here in SoCal. In 20 years in Seattle I don't
recall a one either, just herds of wolf spiders marauding around the house
at night. Maybe you need more wolf spiders? I've never seen a cricket
on the ceiling here. Maybe yours have migrated in from Hanford?
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:03pm PT
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I've a problem too. I have this nice happy family ensconced under my eaves.
Unfortuneately it is near the front door through which walks the World's
Greatest Bug-Hater who is demanding a pre-emptive strike. Despite my pleas
that my warrior days are behind me and that I'm all about getting along I
fear that I am going to have to compromise my values. What should I do?
Why can't we all just get along?
signed,
Going Buggy in SoCal
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:06pm PT
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Funny, I've noticed a marked decline in crickets here in NH since I was a kid. I've been wondering about that.
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Chaz
Trad climber
greater Boss Angeles area
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:09pm PT
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Reilly,
Wait until nighttime, when the entire swarm is sleeping. Then soak it with the spray bug killer of your choice.
( be ready to run like hell. sometimes newer, environmentally friendly bug killer takes a while to work )
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:22pm PT
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Last time I was up at Tahquitz I noticed something I haven't seen before on the south side descent.
What looked like a dead leaf on one of the scrub oaks flew off. A moth or butterfly that is perfectly camouflaged as a dried up scrub oak leaf. Small brown wings and a dark green body.
So perfectly camouflaged in fact that in over 40 years of stomping around in So Cal chaparral, I've never noticed one before. Once I saw the first one I saw several so they aren't that scarce.
Not an oak moth, already looked that up.
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 21, 2012 - 02:22pm PT
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I try to get along with them too Reilly, but if they get to close to my domain I have to do as Chaz recommended.
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Fritz
Trad climber
Choss Creek, ID
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:27pm PT
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Ron: Re your mention
ever wander through a migration of Morman crickets? AAAAAARRGHGHGHG!
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Reilly
Mountain climber
The Other Monrovia- CA
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:47pm PT
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The F-35 of the bug world:
Tarantula Hawk wasp-you don't wanna get stung by one of these although as
opposed to the tarantulas they prey upon it will only feel like you've been paralyzed.
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StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
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Aug 21, 2012 - 02:50pm PT
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Had this guy take up residence on my shirt. He had some hops too.
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dirt claud
Social climber
san diego,ca
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Topic Author's Reply - Aug 21, 2012 - 02:52pm PT
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I was just gonna post something about those Tarantual/Hawks. Got em flying all over the east county right now.
On that note. Here is a pic of a supposed Cuban Tarantula Hawk. SOB is huge.
I think a bullet in the arm from .38 special would probably feel better than a sting from this thing.
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Brandon-
climber
The Granite State.
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:00pm PT
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Tobacco Worms
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TFPU
Sport climber
Idaho
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:14pm PT
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Insects are cool animals.
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:14pm PT
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Interesting this is coming up right now.I know,not an insect but I am currently in a battle with a black widow(as we speak).I'm in the process of pulling all reading material away from the wall where I've seen it the last two nights.I've owned this house for fourteen years and only ever seen one indoors.I watched it go back outside.Problem solved.These things are quik.It's in a spot that can only be reached via skinny vacuum attachment so I can't just smash it.Every time I simply turned on the hoover it takes off into the books and mags.Their are plenty outside and that's fine,but this one has provided uneasy sleep the last couple nights.Any thoughts,experiences,or suggestions.I hate these things and apparently the venom attacks your liver.My liver has been attacked enough ;)).
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TFPU
Sport climber
Idaho
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:17pm PT
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Capt: whenever i have problems i turn to cocaine
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Capt.
climber
some eastside hovel
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:20pm PT
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Thinkin' 'bout attacking my liver some more right now.Vodka for the battle!
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TGT
Social climber
So Cal
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Aug 21, 2012 - 03:36pm PT
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Black widows are an occupational hazard for anyone working on plumbing,electrical and AC.
I knew one AC mechanic that instead of using the bug spray and wasting time waiting for them to die, along with the uncertainty that you got 'em would use a can of contact adhesive and just glue them in place.
I've run across these little alpine bugs about everywhere in CA. Sometimes so thick they stain your hands and gear. They are supposed to be predatory, but what do they eat?
These photos from Tahquitz.
For scale
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