In the world of insects, there are many interesting subjects. In this article we shall examine a member of the insect family. For the purpose of insect classification, an insect is defined as a small six-legged air-breathing animal with well-defined body segments. Read more »

How often have you heard someone, particularly a gardener, say a nice word about a slug?

S-L-U-G may be the most dreaded letters for the person who enjoys growing vegetable in the backyard. The slimly little pests can cause wide-spread damage and can also be very difficult to get rid of. Read more »

If you use a little imagination, you may be able to see a resemblance between longhorn beetles and the much larger variety of longhorns, longhorn cattle that is. Maybe that is asking a bit much of the imagination, but the antennae of the insects do extend out in front like the horns of the bulls so often associated with Texas, cowboys and large ranches. Read more »

Okay, you haven’t even read the first sentence and already you have a strong dislike for the grey house spider. Why? Is it because of the name? The words house and spider should not be used in the same sentence, let alone placed beside one another to form a name. It may be of some consolation to learn that this arachnid is small. The females measure seven millimeters and the smaller males are less than half that size, measuring three millimeters. Read more »

The grass grub is the larvae or immature stage of the common brown beetle, which can be a pest for gardeners and farmers. While the adult causes some economic problems for the agricultural industry, the grub is of even more concern. Read more »

The ladybird appears utterly harmless and even attractive as it flutters about, but we shouldn’t forget that bright color is nature’s warning sign, and the beetle is very colorful. The ladybird’s (also called ladybug) bright colored wings are a warning to would-be predators that this little beetle would not make a tasty meal. Read more »

Historically speaking, the flea’s claim to fame or should we say its rise to notoriety stems from its contributions in spreading the bubonic plague. However, let’s not let that one event cloud our view of the minute insect. Read more »

Have you ever seen a grasshopper migration? When I was younger, I watched shows on TV and saw swarms of insects destroying whatever was in their path as startled and panicking actors fled into houses, barns and whatever other shelter they could find. I was an adult before I saw a grasshopper migration in person. I’m not sure which was more impressive, the noise or the endless waves of grasshoppers. It really was like something out of a natural disaster film. Read more »