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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · 16d

Parasitidae Mites: Masters of the Microscopic World

Parasitidae is a globally distributed family of predatory mites within the order Mesostigmata, standing alone in the superfamily Parasitoidea.

#arachnid #mite #parasite #biology #nature #animals #bugs #beetle #insects

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · 18d

Meet the razorback musk turtle, the punk rocker of the turtle world! Native to the Southeastern U.S., it sports a unique, high-ridged shell and spends almost its entire life underwater. Dive into the fascinating life of this pint-sized rebel

#biology #science #nature #herpetology #reptiles #turtle

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Sep 12

Zopherus nodulosus, commonly known as an ironclad beetle, is a fascinating species native to North America.

What sets these beetles apart is their incredibly tough exoskeleton, providing them with exceptional protection.

#beetles #entomology #animals #wildlife #nature #biology #science #bugs

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Sep 6

Discover Stiretrus anchorago, the anchor bug!

This tiny stink bug, found across North America, is easily recognized by the unique anchor-shaped marking on its back. It's a fascinating part of our ecosystem, munching on plants in fields and gardens.

#entomology #photography #bugs #insects #animals

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Aug 25

Peucetia viridans, (Hentz, 1832)

Peucetia viridans, the green lynx spider, is a bright-green lynx spider usually found on green plants. It is the largest North American species in the family Oxyopidae.

#spiders #arachnids #animals #biology #science #nature #entomology #bugs #arthropods #texas

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Aug 23

Charidotella sexpunctata
(Fabricius, 1781)

Shot on my phone! 🤳

#beetle #science #biology #photography #macro #entomology #nature #animals #chrysomelidae

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Aug 21

Leptoglossus phyllopus, (Linnaeus, 1767) Shot on my phone!

The Eastern Leaf-footed Bug is a North American pest, identified by its leaf-like legs and stripe on its wings. It feeds on various plants and reproduces quickly in warm weather.

#leptoglossus #hemiptera #entomology #insects #bugs

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Aug 7

Do you really expect the minds behind these comments to be sharpened by research? I don't.

Ignorance > fear > hate

Knowledge > understanding > love

Two paths people...

#meme #bugs #Entomology #conservation #environment #pollinators #wasps #spiders

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jul 31

The steel-blue cricket hunter is a metallic blue wasp, 1.5-2.5 cm long, found in North American open habitats. It hunts crickets, paralyzing them with venom to feed its larva in underground nests!

#wasp #biology #science #bugs #insects #entomology

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jul 31

The steel-blue cricket hunter is a metallic blue wasp, 1.5-2.5 cm long, found in North American open habitats. It hunts crickets, paralyzing them with venom to feed its larva in underground nests!

#wasp #biology #science #bugs #insects #entomology

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 25

Black Carpenter Ants: Wood-Nesting Omnivores of North America:

#ants #formicidae #bugs #entomology #insects #nature #wildlife #education #bites

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 21

Rena dulcis, (Baird & Girard, 1853)

Rena dulcis, also known commonly as the Texas blind snake, the Texas slender blind snake, or the Texas threadsnake, is a species of snake in the family Leptotyphlopidae.

#blindsnake #snaken #reptiles #animal #biology #nature #education #science

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 16

Love the antenna!

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 16

Phyciodes tharos, (Drury, 1773):

Phyciodes tharos, commonly known as the Pearl Crescent butterfly, is a small butterfly found across North America.

Shot on my phone 🤳

#entomology #butterflies #photography #lepidoptera #nature #biology #photography #insect #wildlife

Phyciodes tharos, (Drury, 1773):

Phyciodes tharos, commonly known as the Pearl Crescent butterfly, is a small butterfly found across North America.

The life cycle of Phyciodes tharos includes four stages: egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa (chrysalis), and adult. Eggs are laid on or near the host plant.
Larvae go through several instars, molting as they grow. The pupa stage occurs in a chrysalis, often attached to a stem or leaf. Adults emerge from the chrysalis. Multiple broods can occur each year.

Pearl Crescents are small butterflies, with a wingspan typically ranging from 0.75 to 1.5 inches (1.9 to 3.8 cm). The upperside of the wings is orange with black markings.

The hindwings have a row of pale crescent-shaped spots, giving the butterfly its name.
The underside of the wings is a mix of orange, yellow, and brown patterns.

Caterpillars primarily feed on plants in the Asteraceae family.Common host plants include asters (Symphyotrichum spp.) and various species of thistle.

Male Pearl Crescents engage in patrolling behavior to find mates. They fly low over vegetation in search of females.vOnce a male locates a female, courtship involves visual displays and the release of pheromones. Mating occurs shortly after courtship if the female is receptive.

Follow me @ Leifcollectsbugs on all socials you can find me for more! 😉

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 14

The Asilidae are the robber fly family, also called assassin flies.

Ruggedly constructed, venomous assassins of the skies!

#robberfly #entomology #fly #diptera #asilidae #insects

Mating pair of robberflies sitting upsidedown on a small branch to a plant

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Jun 14

Really!

leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · May 31

Agkistrodon laticinctus, (Gloyd & Conant, 1934)

Agkistrodon laticinctus, also known as the broad-banded copperhead, is a venomous pit viper species found primarily in the central United States!

#snakes #herpetology #herping #copperhead #education #Science

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · May 9

Once in a Lifetime Observation! Rhiginia cinctiventris, Feeding on a GIANT Millipede!

#nature #bugs #entomology #raresight #assassinbug #hemiptera #millipedes #narceus

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · May 6

This is what it feels like to have nothing else to do for the day but catch bugs... Alternatively, you can simply put everything to the side and catch bugs instead and the feeling is the same.

#funny #meme #Entomology #bugs #relatable #jokes

leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · May 3

Just a few trees too! I need to take it even more seriously!

leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · May 2

1. The entomologist holds the beat sheet under a branch or bush.
2. They then sharply strike or "beat" the vegetation with a stick or similar object.
3. The entomologist can then quickly collect the specimens.

#education #Entomology #Bugs #bughunting #bugcollection #insects #spiders

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Apr 20

Mosquitoes!! Ugh... I appreciate them from a distance. These beetles came to my light. After 4 hours, I caught all these in around 18 minutes...

I put them in the bucket so they couldn't see the light so I could go turn it off without them going back. I then released all the babies!!

leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Apr 20

Calosoma scrutator
(Fabricius, 1775)

What a find, all these Calosoma in one place! Very smelly and bitey, however! Haha

#bugs #entomology #beetles #calosoma #carabidae #coleoptera #science #biology #wildlife #texas

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Apr 19

The ol schiztomology

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leifcollectsbugs @leifcollectsbugs.bsky.social · Apr 19

Catch me on that forest golem type beat

#meme #entomology #bugs #funny

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