A tiny 'minnow mayfly' (Callibaetis sp.) Females look ordinary, but males have these weird eyes. The upward facing eyes are thought to be used to look for passing females.
Minnow mayfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Here is another one.
Minnow mayfly by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
A broad-headed bug nymph. These Hemipterans are seed feeders, I think with different species prefering the seeds of a narrow range of host plants. This one is Alydus eurinus, and it is common on a kind of weed - I don't know the ID. The adult insects look pretty ordinary, but the nymphs are very good ant mimics. This one is mimicking a common black carpenter ant. Other species of broad-headed bug nymphs will mimic other ant species with very impressive fidelity. Ant mimics tend to also behave like ants, and so these nymphs move quickly and erratically. But the adults are slow and placid.
Broad headed bug by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
When I first saw this moth I was not sure what the heck I was looking at. Obviously a very serious dead leaf mimic. Its the dark-spotted palthis moth, Palthis angulalis.
Dark-spotted palthis moth by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
Many inchworms are super hard to ID. But there is no mistaking the horned spanworm (Nematocampa resistaria). The tendrils will curl or extend, depending on their mood.
Horned spanworm by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
There are several species of tree crickets in my area. But this deeply melanistic one is is my favorite (Oecanthus sp.)
Male snowy tree cricket by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
I will close with this beetle larva (Neochlamisus sp.), which is a species in the large family of leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae). The larva of this particular species makes a protective case out of its own poo.
Case-bearing beetle larva by Mark Sturtevant, on Flickr
The larvae are common and hard to miss. But what of the adult beetle? Those are famous mimics of caterpillar poo (!), and so I've probably seen plenty of them but have not realized it. Here is one: https://bugguide.net/node/view/1279808
Thanks for looking!
Various slightly weird insects
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Various slightly weird insects
Mark Sturtevant
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Re: Various slightly weird insects
A well photographed and very informative collection -- thanks!
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Re: Various slightly weird insects
It's interesting that the first Mayfly has the ocelli under the eyes.
Mike
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Michael Reese Much FRMS EMS Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA
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Re: Various slightly weird insects
That's true! Have not thought of it. They also don't seem to have much in the way of mouthparts,since they probably don't eat.
Mark Sturtevant
Dept. of Still Waters
Dept. of Still Waters
Re: Various slightly weird insects
Very interesting set - well shot, as always. The Minnow nymph looks a bit more than "slightly" weird to me though.
From what you said, it certainly brings a new perspective to "eyeing up the ladies"
From what you said, it certainly brings a new perspective to "eyeing up the ladies"
Re: Various slightly weird insects
very nice