InsectNet forum

adamcotton · by adamcotton » Sat Sep 07, 2024 8:58 am

kevinkk wrote: ↑Fri Sep 06, 2024 11:52 pm Clearly the term "giant" is subjective.

Yes, I can see it is much smaller than the Huntsman spiders I get in my house here, their 'legspan' is about the size of my hand.

Adam.

kevinkk · by kevinkk » Fri Sep 06, 2024 11:52 pm

Last year I first encountered this spider, and now- They're back.
I got a few pictures this time. These guys are fast.
Clearly the term "giant" is subjective. Nevertheless, this is
a startling critter.

: giant house spider.JPG (83.98 KiB) Viewed 20 times

58chevy · by 58chevy » Thu Sep 05, 2024 5:08 pm

Beautiful specimens & excellent job of spreading (as usual)

bobw · by bobw » Thu Sep 05, 2024 4:11 pm

...and although originally from the Balkans, Cameraria ohridella has spread north and west incredibly quickly as well.

wollastoni · by wollastoni » Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:50 pm

Indeed. Cydalima perspectalis "invasion" has been impressive too, recently.

bobw · by bobw » Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:48 pm

Paysandisia archon didn't seem to have too much trouble spreading all the way round the Mediterranean.

wollastoni · by wollastoni » Thu Sep 05, 2024 3:33 pm

Interesting Bob, I did not know that. If it survived in Japan, should work fine for them in Europe too.
Time will tell.

bobw · by bobw » Thu Sep 05, 2024 2:07 pm

It's also been recorded as an invasive pest species in Japan since 2019.

vabrou · by vabrou » Thu Sep 05, 2024 2:02 pm

A common species here in Louisiana, but never a pest here, though the array of food-plants in Europe will probably determine if it does become a pest.

wollastoni · by wollastoni » Thu Sep 05, 2024 1:05 pm

Several specimens of the American moth Pyrausta inornatalis have been seen in SW France in 2024. Observations in the towns of Toulouse, Agen and Vianne prove that we're not dealing with a few individuals escaped from a plant shop, but a major colonization. It remains to be seen, however, whether the species overwinters in Europe (but in all likelihood it will) and whether it succeeds in establishing itself in Europe.

: pyrausta-inortalis-france.jpg (206.43 KiB) Viewed 81 times

Pyrausta inortalis, Vianne, SW France, 3 September 2024 (picture by Olivier Vannucci)

As the species eats Salvia and basil, the risk of nuisance is low but possible for professional growers of this species.

We'll have to keep an eye on the species' expansion this autumn, and it will be interesting to see if we find it again next year.
The species has probably been introduced through the importation of American plants. Its beauty and unique look make it easily detectable by amateurs.

Maybe soon in the rest of Europe.

Chuck · by Chuck » Thu Sep 05, 2024 12:06 pm

Great read Vernon, thanks for posting that.

daveuk · by daveuk » Thu Sep 05, 2024 11:34 am

Good work Trehopr.
Looks amazing !!

eugenewright · by eugenewright » Thu Sep 05, 2024 9:27 am

A really great specimen.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Wed Sep 04, 2024 9:13 pm

Late summer here in Illinois and many of our
surrounding states brings with it the beginings
of "Colias" season. It is at this time that species
such as the Orange Sulphur (C. eurytheme) and
Common Sulphur (C. philodice) reach their
greatest numbers. While it may not be so evident
around towns and cities where very little arable
land is present; outside of these areas in our more
rural spaces these little yellow butterflies abound !

Both of these common species offer beautiful males
along with females of two diffrent color forms. White
form (females) do seem to be a little tougher to find
in any numbers and can be confused on the wing with
cabbage butterflies (P. rapae). The more commonly
encountered (yellow) females offer quite a bit of nice
variation to be seen.

September is a STRONG month for these here with
their numbers tapering off by mid-October. To view
an alfalfa/clover field in full bloom with 50 or more
of these butterflies "hobnobbing" about pollinating
flowers, looking for mates, or chasing off others
within their territories is simply an endearing sight.
Its a field ALIVE with life and natures wonder to behold !

Yesterday's outing (my second) in as many days was a
pretty good one with 15 nice ones. Though, one might think
these are easy to land I can say they are not necessarily. The
C. eurytheme males are VERY wary customers and females
of both species seem to prefer "hiding in the grass" unless
pollinating.

These are beautiful timeless butterflies to appreciate in any
collection and their beauty keeps giving long after another
year's season has passed....

Panacanthus · by Panacanthus » Wed Sep 04, 2024 6:42 pm

Very exciting to see something posted in this category Trehopr1, and you did a fine job indeed of spreading this delicate little fellow! Thank you for sharing!

58chevy · by 58chevy » Wed Sep 04, 2024 6:04 pm

Chuck, the top specimen is from Woodville, TX (Tyler Co.). Captured Aug. 22, 2015 at gas station lights.

Trehopr1 · by Trehopr1 » Wed Sep 04, 2024 5:55 pm

Here I have a specimen that not many undertake
working-up. What few specimens I have seen in
private collections normally have their legs and
antennae bunched-up close to the sides of the body.
Yes, this indeed avoids breakeage and at the same
time saves on space. However, its rather un-flattering
in its appearance for such a magnificent creature.

Recently, I ran across this fellow whilst in the field.
I have not seen one of these "old men of the woods"
in a great many years. As a person of un-waving insect
appreciation who always has both eyes wide open in the
field; well, their camouflage and adaptive habits certainly
serve them well at blending-in --- in plain sight.

Here my specimen is posed in a walking stance with
his antennae facing forward. The body of this species is
(at best) the width of a small thin "sipping straw" for mixed
drinks. A small 000 size pin worked well as a centered pin.
All other pins are only for support of the legs/antennae
and their respective angles.

I have prepared 3 others like this in the distant past and
I pin them in drawers utilizing plastazoate foam. I did
prove to myself that I still have "the touch" for fine insect
taxidermy despite the passage of many years....

Once he is fully dried with bracing pins removed
I will present him in another photograph.

Chuck · by Chuck » Wed Sep 04, 2024 3:39 pm

It's interesting to know that "unread" is titles only. In knowing how people read the forums I may be able to tailor content.

I truly enjoy off-topic discussions; they are often novel to me and a fresh look at something new is enjoyable. I also read, as time permits, online archeology and paleontology news even though I have not time to pursue those fields of study. I've dumped most of my Delias, and know so little about them, but I still am fond of reading about new discoveries, challenges, etc.

And...while frustratingly like slowing to watch a car wreck, I do read (with one eye) those First Posts involving things like "ID this bug from a fuzzy photo", "Killer Wasp in My Room", "These Weevils are biting Me in My Bed", and "OMG this can't be a Cockroach." These scare me, but I must read them.

wollastoni · by wollastoni » Wed Sep 04, 2024 2:29 pm

Yes but in "Unread posts" you see topic titles only.
And from time to time, a discussion goes off-topic and can be interesting to me even if the topic title is not in my area of interest.
That's why I prefer "Recent posts".

But it is good to see all of us has found his own way to enjoy reading the forum.

vabrou · by vabrou » Wed Sep 04, 2024 2:16 pm

Top specimen is female from population that occurs in NE Texas to NW Louisiana currently considered Eacles imperialis nobilis. Middle male is also E. i. nobilis. Here is one page species account I published 21 years ago about Eacles imperialis in Louisiana.

Note also, populations of E. i. nobilis can have morphotypes that appear as normally maculated E. imperialis. Only 1/4 to 1/3 of the populations have these 'nobilis' colored adults. So if you beleive in the term subspecies, these are E. i. nobilis.

InsectNet forum

InsectNet forum

Re: Eratigena duellica "giant house spider"

Eratigena duellica "giant house spider"

Re: Colias season in the Upper midwest states.

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Pyrausta inornatalis, new species to France / Europe

Re: Eacles variation

Re: Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata)

Re: Anaea tyrianthina

Colias season in the Upper midwest states.

Re: Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata)

Re: Eacles variation

Northern Walkingstick (Diapheromera femorata)

Re: How do you read InsectNet forums?

Re: How do you read InsectNet forums?

Re: Eacles variation