Thanks a lot!

Please identify this swallowtail

Thanks, Paul K

Well, these photos aren't actually the specimens owned by livingplanet3, they are photos from internet sites; but I am sure livingplanet3's collection must be impressive too. I should mention that Cheirotonus species are protected in Thailand. Adam. Ops! I thought that the watermarks were inserted ...

Amazing collection!

Cheirotonus parryi, ~62 mm, was purchased from Rod Lewallen at LA Insect Show 20 years ago.

58chevy,
All I have acquired through the Internet: at online stores and eBay.
I'll send you a PM.

Trehopr1, The nickname "lamprima" came up just by chance. I do like this genus, however, all specimens I have are just "mainstream" green L. adolphinae. Sorry to disappoint you, but I'll try to select something else to share. I have a small collection of antique insect prints if ...

This is another example of the English style of Catocala (presumably, fraxini) presentation:
a print from "The Naturalists Miscellany" by Shaw & Nodder, published in 1795.

This Summer I raised a few larvae of P. zelicaon, found in my backyard (S.California), they pupated in July.
It looks like they are going to overwinter. This has never happened before, they used to ecose
in 2-3 weeks after pupation. Should I blame climate change, according to the modern trend?

I've found that legs of lepidoptera usually get in the way, I'll agree the forelegs exposed are a nice touch, but nearly all my leps have the legs tucked underneath, depending on the species it can be a real challenge. I tend to spread the front legs in Sphingidae and Saturniidae specimens (I never...

Trehopr1 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 02, 2022 6:26 am A splendid example and the forelegs being pulled out in front is a nice touch.

Thanks, Trehopr1. Next time I'll try to spread the hind legs as well.
Your specimens are fantastic!

Chuck and kevinkk,
This is almost certainly an Arizona mantis - Stagmomantis limbata:
there are dark marks on tegmina, while dark stripes on the dorsal side
of the abdomen (characteristic of S.californica) are absent.
Thank you both as always!

Found this female in my backyard (Encinitas, California).
We are supposed to have a few local species, M.religiosa, and a Chinese mantis.
Can anyone tell the species? ?

Found this guy in my backyard. It is about 25 mm long. I guess
this is a California common scorpion (Paruroctonus silvestrii).
Please confirm, or correct me - I know nothing about scorpions.
The location is Encinitas, California.

kevinkk and Chuck,
The proboscis was folded when the moth eclosed
(at least when I found it). I did not attempt to feed it.
The moth unfolded its "tongue" when I put it in the jar with
ethyl acetate.

Congratulations! Now, how long to sit and wait? Update: a few more observations on the life (and death) of a very trivial species: M. sexta. Answering Chuck's question, the larva burrowed on 9/10 the pupa was put into enclosure cage on 9/22, and the lep eclosed on 10/13.  I could not figure out wha...