Search found 86 matches

by lamprima2
Sun Jan 28, 2024 11:54 pm
Forum: Lepidoptera
Topic: Preserving large Lepidoptera pupae
Replies: 2
Views: 647

Re: Preserving large Lepidoptera pupae

Trehopr1, Thank you for your reply. Alcohol can certainly fix the proteins in the pupae, however, it cannot dissolve the fat. That's why I thought about acetone which can replace both water and fat (the pupae are dark brown, almost black, there is no problem with discoloration). Perhaps, this is an ...
by lamprima2
Sat Jan 27, 2024 7:55 pm
Forum: Lepidoptera
Topic: Preserving large Lepidoptera pupae
Replies: 2
Views: 647

Preserving large Lepidoptera pupae

I have a few large (50-60 mm) Sphingidae pupae that I like to preserve rather than wait for the hatching. I guess the most "scientific" way is to preserve them in alcohol or formaldehyde, however, I'd prefer keeping them pinned in the drawer. Should I immerse them first in alcohol or aceto...
by lamprima2
Wed Jan 17, 2024 1:16 am
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: "Proboscis case" in Sphingidae pupae
Replies: 0
Views: 6833

"Proboscis case" in Sphingidae pupae

The pupae of some Sphingidae possess an external structure, presumably covering the developing proboscis of future moth. It looks like it is present only in some species of Sphinginae subfamily and absent in Macroglossinae and Smerinthinae. Does anyone know the scientific name of this structure? Is ...
by lamprima2
Mon Dec 25, 2023 12:25 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: P. rumiko
Replies: 0
Views: 3733

P. rumiko

Santa's gift: just eclosed
DSC_8981 small.jpg
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by lamprima2
Sat Oct 28, 2023 12:46 am
Forum: Lepidoptera
Topic: A parasitoid fly invading Saturniidae pupae?
Replies: 6
Views: 2879

Re: A parasitoid fly invading Saturniidae pupae?

Thanks to everyone who replied to my post. The fly I caught does look like a Tachinid. Decades ago I experienced problems with wild-caught larvae of Deilephila elpenor: some were killed by Tachinidae larvae just before the pupation, others - by parasitoid wasps, emerging at Spring from overwintering...
by lamprima2
Fri Oct 27, 2023 3:57 am
Forum: Lepidoptera
Topic: A parasitoid fly invading Saturniidae pupae?
Replies: 6
Views: 2879

A parasitoid fly invading Saturniidae pupae?

I recently received the cocoons of a US Saturniid Agapema anona. They were stored in a cage, covered with a standard window netting, and supposed to eclose soon. Instead of the moths, I found three flies in the cage, about 6-7 mm long, morphologically similar to houseflies (I do not know much about ...
by lamprima2
Thu Aug 24, 2023 7:09 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Osmeteria of P. rumiko
Replies: 9
Views: 3939

Re: Osmeteria of P. rumiko

Yes, based on your location, you have rumiko. All the cresphontes I have seen have bright red osmeteria. This is not only based on the location. As I said, the morphology of the butterflies corresponds to the description of P. rumiko. I read the paper again: the morphology of larvae also matches P....
by lamprima2
Thu Aug 24, 2023 4:05 am
Forum: Insect identification
Topic: Please help to ID this larva
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Re: Please help to ID this larva

livingplanet3,
Thank you for your willingness to help!
It does look like a moth, my friend has probably
discovered a new species down there.
by lamprima2
Wed Aug 23, 2023 6:00 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Osmeteria of P. rumiko
Replies: 9
Views: 3939

Re: Osmeteria of P. rumiko

The osmeterium of P. cresphontes is bright red. Is the color difference with rumiko consistent? I cannot tell if the color difference of osmeterium between P. rumiko and P. cresphontes is consistent. The color pattern of the adult specimens I could carefully observe matches the one of P. rumiko, gi...
by lamprima2
Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:32 pm
Forum: Insect identification
Topic: Please help to ID this larva
Replies: 2
Views: 751

Please help to ID this larva

Can anyone ID this larva from Madagascar?
369548417_1289521851932988_8730710091552451153_n.jpg
369548417_1289521851932988_8730710091552451153_n.jpg (79.26 KiB) Viewed 751 times
by lamprima2
Tue Aug 22, 2023 8:15 pm
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Osmeteria of P. rumiko
Replies: 9
Views: 3939

Re: Osmeteria of P. rumiko

adamcotton wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 9:06 am
lamprima2 wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 5:18 am I can not figure out how to post the pics in the correct order.
She (judging by the size of 5.5 cm) was retracting the osmeteria.
I swapped them round for you, so now they are in the correct order.

Great photos!

Adam.
Thanks, Adam
by lamprima2
Tue Aug 22, 2023 5:18 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Osmeteria of P. rumiko
Replies: 9
Views: 3939

Re: Osmeteria of P. rumiko

I can not figure out how to post the pics in the correct order.
She (judging by the size of 5.5 cm) was retracting the osmeteria.
by lamprima2
Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:43 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Osmeteria of P. rumiko
Replies: 9
Views: 3939

Osmeteria of P. rumiko

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DSC_2100 21.16.42_01.JPG
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by lamprima2
Sun Aug 13, 2023 8:36 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Strange burrows
Replies: 12
Views: 2086

Re: Strange burrows

I agree: they look like exit holes.
I'll try to ask park rangers, perhaps they saw these
insects emerging.
by lamprima2
Sun Aug 13, 2023 3:48 am
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Strange burrows
Replies: 12
Views: 2086

Re: Strange burrows

Kona wrote: Fri Aug 11, 2023 8:01 amVole burrows
Too small for voles
by lamprima2
Thu Aug 10, 2023 9:33 pm
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Strange burrows
Replies: 12
Views: 2086

Re: Strange burrows

Thank you all. The suggestions look reasonable,
though, I've never seen cicadas or Sphecius
in our area. I could overlook these insects, of course.
by lamprima2
Wed Aug 09, 2023 5:54 am
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Strange burrows
Replies: 12
Views: 2086

Strange burrows

I often see these mysterious burrows at the edges of the trail in San Elijo Lagoon Preserve (Encinitas, California).
I've never seen any creature getting in or out of them. The holes are from about 5 to 15 mm in diameter.
Can anyone suggest a host?
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by lamprima2
Mon Jun 26, 2023 4:27 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Saturnia walterorum update -L5
Replies: 3
Views: 2415

Re: Saturnia walterorum update -L5

DSC_8967 IN.jpg
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by lamprima2
Sun Jun 18, 2023 6:36 am
Forum: Open Topics
Topic: Balsa, cork, foam - what are you using???
Replies: 5
Views: 890

Re: Balsa, cork, foam - what are you using???

I prefer adjustable angled boards made of soft wood (balsa?) from BQ. Here is a DIY angled board, constructed a long time ago, using styrofoam insulation sheets, scotch tape, and pins, specifically for XL leps. The outer smooth layer of thin plastic was intentionally left intact. DSC_9179.JPG DSC_91...
by lamprima2
Mon Jun 12, 2023 4:59 am
Forum: Insect Photography & Video
Topic: Saturnia walterorum update -L5
Replies: 3
Views: 2415

Re: Saturnia walterorum update -L5

Thanks, Trehopr1
Their spikes are poisonous.
"I've got blisters on my fingers", as
Ringo used to say. I have to wear
thick gloves when handling them.