Rhinoceros Beetles and Such

I was inspired by a Rhinoceros Beetle 

to look through some of my random summer bug pictures.  

(I’m not being too scientific here – “bug” meaning

 things that are sort-of-buglike.)

Here is a Robber Fly who found himself trapped

 in our Jeep where I was able to get a picture of him.

  (Google is my best friend for insect identification. 

Much easier than the field guides!)

He is slightly adorable and frightening at the same time.  

Like Uncle Si.  

And he’s not a tiny fly.  

He’s over an inch long!

Instead of thinking “squish it” when you see a bug,

 why not actually take time to notice 

the amazing features that make them unique?  

Each little detail on each little bug shows 

something beyond our own humanness.

Ants are always fun to watch.  

Unless they are biting you of course.  

This little guy was dragging this monstrous grub

 across our front porch. 

Talk about vision and determination! 

An Eastern Buckmoth with its beautifully 

furry underside.

The Willow Oak in our front yard had quite a few

 Yellowstriped Oakworm caterpillars on it.  

We finally figured out why some had shiny bulging

 bodies and some had a more matte skin 

with stripes that didn’t look so stretched.  

They molt!  

Here's one coming out of his skin.

Here are a cluster of the caterpillars growing fat 

on the oak leaves.  

See the ones who are about to molt?  

Their skins are glossy black from being stretched to the max.  

The one with the yellow head is in the process of leaving his skin behind.  

Apparently the heads turn back to black when they dry.

I like bugs.  But this many crawling around on my hand?  

Ummm… maybe not!  

My kids are cooler than I am.

I like Cicadas.  (See some “Summer of the Cicada”pictures here.)  

With their bulgy alien eyes on the sides of their heads 

and their clear wings, 

they’re pretty awesome.  

A few weeks ago we heard a Cicada buzzing in our back yard.  

Not their normal raspy song, but the distressed buzzing sound they make.  

Kadence went to find it.   

Sure enough, it had been attacked by a Giant European Hornet.  

Very interesting to watch.  

I didn’t get any great photos though, 

cause I didn’t want to disturb the hornet.  

If you read on the internet that these hornets rarely sting, don’t believe it.  

I was stung by one that flew to the light on 

our front porch one night, landed on me, and stung me instantly.  

Some of the worst pain ever!!!

On a happier note, I saw a picture online of a 

Robber Fly (at the top of this post) 

eating one of these ginormous hornets.  

That Robber Fly is getting cuter all the time.

What I think is a Walnut Sphinx Moth that 

flew to our front door at night.

And the best is saved for last – the Rhinoceros Beetle 

that my dad brought to church last Sunday!  

He found it on his shoe when he got in the car, 

so he brought it along and had some fun.  

To the dismay of some of the ladies at church.  

Good times! J

This big  guy is over two inches long!  

I don’t believe everything I read online, 

but “they” say that these males don’t hurt 

when they pinch with their horns. 

I didn’t bother sticking my finger in to check if “they” are correct! 

Speaking of details, look at his hooks that are feet.  Pretty cool.

Sitting on my foot for size perspective.

I told you my kids are cool.  

And he is alive and crawling up her shirt 

(in case you’re wondering)! J

"For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities

--His eternal power and divine nature--

have been clearly seen, 

being understood from what has been made,

so that people are without excuse."

Romans 1:20