Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Kimmel Harding Nelson Residency: Day 9


Wheel Bug; KHN Center; Nebraska City
The Wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) is often confused with the related assassin bug

I did a lot of looking and thinking today, but very little writing. As a result, today's update consists only of four insect photographs, all taken today.


Unidentified grasshopper
Lewis & Clark Visitors Center; Nebraska City



Southern Dogface butterfly (Zerene cesonia) on Indian Blanket flower (Gaillardia pulchella)
Lewis & Clark Visitors Center; Nebraska City



Mating Differential Grasshoppers
Lewis & Clark Visitors Center; Nebraska City
Differential grasshoppers (Melanoplus differentialis) are considered major agricultural pests in the midwest

Photo credits: all photos, Hungry Hyaena, 2009

2 comments:

Michael McDevitt said...

While I am inclined to agree with the strident prose of Anonymous, I am also perpetually amused at the common names of plants and insects.

Dogface? I love it.

Any notion of why they are called 'differential' grasshoppers?

Hungry Hyaena said...

Anonymous:

Well, yes and no.

Michael:

Yeah, the Southern dogface's common name threw me, too. "Oh, this is a gorgeous butterfly! Let's call it dogface." Huh? It makes you wonder what the Latin name translates as, but I haven't been able to work that out (and it's not in my big book o' goodness.)

As for the differential grasshoppers, I haven't a clue what physical or behavioral characteristic inspired the common name. I tried to find some relevant information, but had no luck. Perhaps it's simply the bold markings on the legs?