InsectNet forum

evra · by evra » Mon Oct 02, 2023 8:27 pm

Yeah there are lots of places to collect besides Pena Blanca and Madera Canyons. In recent years collecting in Madera has been kind of problematic because some USFS rangers have been kicking people out around 10 PM. I honestly haven’t even tried those 2 spots in at least 10 years because I prefer to collect in more isolated locations. Also Pena Blanca has burned at least twice in the past 15 years and kind of recovered both times.

There are other things to get elsewhere outside of the monsoons at other spots around the state as well. Things like Dynastes granti, various Hemileucas, etc. Unfortunately you can’t get it all in just 1 trip.

wolf · by wolf » Mon Oct 02, 2023 6:51 pm

Thank you John! You are right, nr 1 and 2 are the same size as the Calpodes. It looks like Damas clavus it the closest bet so far for sure. I have a few more hesperiidae that im currently trying to figure out. I will probably post them aswell after having a look myself first.

Chuck · by Chuck » Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:41 pm

I should add, it would be fun and interesting to get a bunch of us together. The virtual world is fine, but kinda disappointing.

Besides which, in all these years in the field I have but ONCE run into another collector.

58chevy · by 58chevy » Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:27 pm

There are lots of houses for rent in the Tucson area, which is convenient to most of the major collecting spots. Many people live there during the winter and rent their houses out for the summer. I was lucky in 2019 to find one that was owned by the girlfriend of a friend. 3 of us collectors stayed for a week. All we had to pay was the utility bill, which was $80. If you google houses for rent in Tucson or surrounding areas, you might be able to find a good deal (but probably not as good as the deal I got).

Chuck · by Chuck » Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:01 pm

evra wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:54 pm What are you looking to collect? Arizona is a big place with a lot of different species of insects.

Since I've been to Pena Blanca but once, it's a novelty. I like the MV moths and beetles, as well as the daytime butterfly collecting. For that area I'm not particular to any specific butterflies, with the exception of Papilio multicaudata.

I've done other areas of Arizona, and at different times; I was on Huachuca. What I'm really interested in is experiencing the monsoons again. I'm sure others would be as well.

Jshuey · by Jshuey » Mon Oct 02, 2023 3:00 pm

1 and 2 Unknowns - these are a mystery. These are large bugs - right? Almost as large as the Calpodes? The pattering is odd. On the FW, you have a broad dash in Evans' space 1b, AND a long dash confined to the lower portion of the cell. This is almost the same as you see in female Damas clavus (but the apical spots aligned differently). The ventral HWs are very different. Also note that the wing shapes, antenna structure and palps look pretty similar. I think we are in the ball park.

Perhaps you have females of Damas horridus (love this name!). I've never seen females - but the males I have are really blacker - no hint of orange like your photos. Plus I've only seen this one from much further west in the Peruvian lowlands, where it is fairly common.

If I have time once I get home tonight, I'll plow through my dead bugs and see if anything jumps out at me that I can't picture at the moment.

3 and 4 Calopodes - most likely Calpodes salius - male and female - this is an incredibly variable species.

5: Aguna coelus? - most likely

6: Telegonus cretatus? - definately

7: Spicauda simplicius? - assuming it has a FW costal fold - yes

John

evra · by evra » Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:54 pm

What are you looking to collect? Arizona is a big place with a lot of different species of insects.

jhyatt · by jhyatt » Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:04 pm

Chuck,

No, don't think I'd go in 2024. Got too many other places to hit, rather than return to one I've seen before. Thanks anyway!
jh

Chuck · by Chuck » Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:32 am

John, does that mean you'd go in 2024?

Mike, you might be on to something. At such advanced ages, maybe a B&B would be more comfortable. When I was there we tented it right at Pena Blanca. I don't mind the heat, but others might. Direct A/C with no need for a generator would be a plus.

That said, where? I've read of "my sister's place in Madiera Canyon" and such, but other than Pena Blanca proper, I'd not know where to go for MV collecting.

wolf · by wolf » Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:26 am

7: Spicauda simplicius?

: 7.jpg (486.29 KiB) Viewed 34 times

wolf · by wolf » Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:22 am

4: Calpodes sp? Possible to be more specific?

: 4.jpg (388.86 KiB) Viewed 35 times

5: Aguna coelus?

: 5.jpg (381.93 KiB) Viewed 35 times

6: Telegonus cretatus?

: 6.jpg (401.93 KiB) Viewed 35 times

wolf · by wolf » Mon Oct 02, 2023 11:18 am

A few hesperiidae that i'm trying id. Any help is appriciated!
1: ??

: 1.jpg (343.24 KiB) Viewed 36 times

2: Probably same as 1?

: 2.jpg (349.59 KiB) Viewed 36 times

3: Calpodes sp? Possible to be more specific?

: 3.jpg (369.95 KiB) Viewed 36 times

adamcotton · by adamcotton » Mon Oct 02, 2023 9:43 am

No it's not dangerous to people, but it is an insect collector's nightmare to find them in the collection as they love to eat specimens and basically destroy them. By the time you see one the damage has already been done.

Adam.

flyaway146 · by flyaway146 » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:28 pm

adamcotton wrote: ↑Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:25 pm That's a carpet beetle larva, family Dermestidae.

What looks like 'lots of legs' is actually bristles.

Adam.

Thanks Adam. Sorry just saw your post after I posted my update. Still freaked out about it being in my ear, but glad it's not dangerous

flyaway146 · by flyaway146 » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:26 pm

Mystery solved - I think.
Seems to be carpet beetle larva. Assume it was crawling on the pillow because of the fabric and fell into my ear.

adamcotton · by adamcotton » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:25 pm

That's a carpet beetle larva, family Dermestidae.

What looks like 'lots of legs' is actually bristles.

Adam.

flyaway146 · by flyaway146 » Sun Oct 01, 2023 9:13 pm

I felt something in my ear earlier and found an insect in there (outer ear). Not sure if it crawled in there from a cushion behind my head or if it was in there for a while (creepy!). I'd seen one of these in the bathroom recently but ignored it.

I can't seem to identify it - have looked on a number of websites. It's about 5mm in width. Has a light brown body with a black "tail". Lots of legs.
A photo is attached.

If anyone can help, would appreciate it!

Thanks

: 20231001_195539.jpg (166.22 KiB) Viewed 42 times

vabrou · by vabrou » Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:29 pm

The heat and humidity in Louisiana is atrocious (usually around 100% day and night). I would usually have (4) box fans plugged inside of my tent. One year I even placed a small 110 volt electric window ac in my tent out in the field. But one must modify the water drain by connecting to a long tube exiting 10-20' away from tent. The AC along with a $20.00 box fan makes one want to stay in the tent. On collecting field trips during winter months I used two electric oil-filled heaters in my tent.

A real nice field collecting experience was access to an air conditioned/heated field cabin we recently used over 2 1/2 years in north Louisiana operating hundreds of traps. Only drawback was the 700 mile round trip to drive to that cabin. 2 jpgs. Drawer 3 of 4 on 1 light trap and drawer 1 of 4 same light trap collection chamber.

And people don't believe me when I tell them I once captured here at my home 124 million specimens (volume-wise that is about five 5-gallon buckets filled to overflowing). Pounds upon pounds of coleoptera. And I did not bother attempting to count all the millions of specimens on the ground and vegetation surrounding the areas of the 180 traps I was running.

livingplanet3 · by livingplanet3 » Sun Oct 01, 2023 4:24 pm

WiseCat wrote: ↑Sun Oct 01, 2023 8:02 am After investigating further, I realize it was a bird mite. I have found some nymphs too and there has been a bird nest over my apartment for 2 months.

Agreed - bird mite.

kevinkk · by kevinkk » Sun Oct 01, 2023 3:41 pm

For in the states, I use flat rate priority nearly all the time, never a problem. For our information- there are no longer first class parcels, it has been
changed to "parcel select ground", or some configuration of those words, it's just a name change. They still come with tracking at no extra charge.

I keep a digital scale and use the postal shipping calculator as well if I need to send something cheaper, or something that can last a few more
days in transit, much of the time, it turns out the same delivery time as it is.

Plan ahead! bring some of those pesky customs forms home with you! I can't stand it being behind people in line who have apparently never seen
the inside of a post office, or people who probably know better and come unprepared...can I use your tape?? And your writing utensil?
Depending on your situation, insurance may be comforting, however, if you're doing something illegal, you're unlikely to be reimbursed. For all it's faults, I will continue to use USPS, it is a choice.

I have a favorite clerk, and will stay in line sometimes to make sure I get to the person I like, "it's ok, you go ahead to the newbie".
When I was younger, I even delivered mail, it was on Grandma's rural route... Uncle was a postmaster, and Mom a substitute. Took many years of
osmosis to realize why none of Granny's comic books and magazines had no covers-

The post office website does have all kinds of free products, like padded flat rate priority envelopes, and different size boxes than they have
in the lobby.

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