தங்கம் ஆறுகள்

A few images from my weekend mothing trip down to Shell Creek, San Luis Obispo County. Early spring along the central coast is stunning, and the back roads were packed with flower watchers. There were dozens of cars occupied by families out for a weekend drive, many had packed lunches and sat to watch the . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: தங்கம் ஆறுகள்

Too much free-time?

Than fold yourself an insect.

These pieces of art are the creation of Robert J. Lang. Chances are if you’ve seen some insane origami than they were his creation. ஆமாம், those are actually made from one single piece of uncut paper. He provides the crease pattern for most of his designs, but actually folding . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: Too much free-time?

And now you know the rest of the story

For those who saw the FOX interview with MSU entomologist Dr. Cognato (சரி, for those who didn’t, here it is), you will be interested to hear his side of the story.

[YouTube =: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7f52y4Nq4E&feature=player_embedded]

Take the time to register (மன்னிக்கவும், it’s annoying but I couldn’t find it anywhere else) and read a response to the interview by . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: And now you know the rest of the story

Aquamoth பகுதி 2

I came across the full-text PDF of the amphibious moth article and extracted the tree showing the radiation of this species group and probable evolution of the amphibious traits. Interesting to note the case shape, and each moth is endemic to its own volcano in the Hawaiian archipelago.

This is a Bayesian analysis of . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: Aquamoth பகுதி 2

என்ற பெயரில்…

UR6FVJ2S3B8H

நிறுவப்பட்ட மதத்தில் தவறில்லை…

You can read all about his story from the NY Times. இந்த முழு முறைகேடு ஊழலைப் பற்றிய பயங்கரமான விஷயம் என்று நான் நினைக்கிறேன் (ஊழல்கள்ssss) சர்ச் உண்மையில் இது சாத்தானின் வேலை என்று நம்புகிறது – தனிப்பட்ட மனிதர்களின் திரிக்கப்பட்ட மனம் அல்ல. ஆமாம், “the Devil is at work . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: என்ற பெயரில்…

சென்ற வார பத்திரிக்கையின் மேதைக்கான பதில்

For all those who abstained from voting (I want to assume some readers must have known the identity of our mystery caterpillar, but were too lazy to comment), here is the answer (after the break).

. . . → மேலும் படிக்க: சென்ற வார பத்திரிக்கையின் மேதைக்கான பதில்

Aquamoth!

Another amazing animal from Hawaiia completely amphibious caterpillar (published in the March 22 PNAS). While there are a few aquatic Lepidoptera, all of them have gills that keep them restricted to the water (mind you, we are talking only about the larval stage). If their stream dries up, so does the caterpillar. . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: Aquamoth!

California Spring

Spring has come to northern California and moths are on the wing. I took a quick trip up to the Sierra foothills over the weekend and hiked up the steep slopes above the American River. Above is pictured Xanthothrix ranunculi f. albipuncta (Noctuidae: Stiriinae). It happens to be sitting on a beautiful california . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: California Spring

பிரஸ் ஜீனியஸ், v.III

Yet another installment of my favorite series, the genius of the press. This article comes from ABC news, who can identify this caterpillar? It is decidedly NOT a gypsy moth.

Fellow entomology blogger Myrmecos had a similar story last week.

Off with their heads!

(photo credit)

The monarchs have started their spring migration north and you might even see one soon (not exciting if you live in FL or HI where there are year-round residents, or in CA where there are separate overwintering spots). Reports from their winter locations in Mexico however are dismal; with possibly the lowest . . . → மேலும் படிக்க: Off with their heads!