The first one was discovered by my husband. We were filling up gas late at night and he knocked on my window and said, "There is an interesting bug on the car, do you have your camera?" Well, no but we had a container and we decided to take it home for documentation.
It's a Mayfly (Hexagenia Limbata). Those things in front of the head aren't antennas, they are fore legs and they are often seen in that positions. As far as what possibly it's doing on the top of my car? Probably attracted by the gold metallic paint because there were a lot of other bugs partying on top of the car. Also according to the Bug Guide expert: it was likely just resting in preparation for its final molt into a sexually mature winged mayfly. Mayflies are unique in the insect world in that they have two winged life stages, the subimago (dun) and the imago (spinner). Depending on species, the subimago stage can last for only a few minutes to nearly a week, but in most cases lasts only a single day. And get this they started their life under water for about 1 year or 2 and when they are an adult they don't eat at all, just laid eggs and die.
The second specimen was found by my brother and sister in-law while visiting our place. They were talking a morning walk when they discovered this beautiful Luna Moth on sitting on the lawn chair in front of the house. It is about 3.25" wide. Adult Luna moths do not eat, their only object is to reproduce. The adults have a life span of only about one week. More info about Luna moth at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Actias_luna.html
So if any of you find interesting bug and just dying to know what it is, take photo of the bug, upload the photo to www.bugguide.net, someone from Bug Guide will identify your bug and you can read all about it. Doesn't that sounds fun :)
2 comments:
Gita,
I love the website and the kids are adorable!!! I was looking for contact info for you but figure this is fine. I caught up with John via Facebook and thought of you and Jeff. My family website:
http://larasway.spaces.live.com
You can see photos of the girls.
Hope all is well. Bug life looks great. : )
Lara (Barron) Catton
Your blog is fantastic, what a wonderful way to introduce your children to the great outdoors, and what absolutely adorable children they are. I know what you mean about people getting in on the "bug Hunt" my mother (age 60) now carries a bug container in her car to collect specimens she finds. My brother works in a warehouse and he too searches for them. My husband now carries a cool whip bowl in the truck to collect "bugs" while he is out doing his farming chores. My kids are much older (16 & 19) and they both think I've taken leave of my senses for hunting, collecting, observing and photographing insects; and now writing a field guide. They've threatened to have me committed...LOL. Keep up the bug hunting, looks like you are having such fun.
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