a leaf footed bug from northern California

[mike_c]

This specimen was collected by J.E.Hunter in 1987 at Chico California. I hope you like it. The hi res image is at https://mcamann.smugmug.com/Insect-macro-photography/Hemiptera/i-MVP9wZS/A

[rampartc]

1. very similar to the hordes that invade my garden in new orleans

great photo, i don't guess you know the scale?

actual size is closer to maybe 1/2 - 3/4 in, and they don't develop the wings or the "leaf feet" until the adult stage. the leafs help them to lock up for the mating act.

they will eat anything, squash, tomato, eggplant, weeds. great food for mantis, ladybug, or lizard.

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

6. A few years back our house was covered with these bugs.

After a few days I realized they weren't going to go away on their own, so I got the Shop-Vac out and sucked up about a thousand of them. It was strangely satisfying. We haven't had any more since that year.

[PatrickforO]

8. LOL, I bet the person who actually dumped the vac

had a pretty buggy surprise when all still alive scurried out.

[littlemissmartypants]

2. I love these posts.

I started a collection of insects in junior high which lead to my first microscope and a dissection kit. I eventually taught anatomy and physiology on a teaching fellowship in graduate school and later joined the medical field. It all began with my love for bugs.

Thank you for sharing this.
❤ lmsp

[mike_c]

3. isn't the world a remarkable place?

[littlemissmartypants]

4. It truly is. ❤ nt

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I'm always amazed at how intricate and colorful these specimens are!

The level of detail in these tiny bodies just blows me away.

Thank you for bringing these tiny treasures into view. I never get tired of seeing them.

[cyclonefence]

7. Your photographs are beautiful

and in the long history of beautiful biological representations that are important art as well as being scientifically indispensable. They remind me of the beautiful plant drawings made by brave explorers of centuries gone by. I always admire them but usually do not take the time to tell you so and to thank you for posting them.

[mike_c]

10. thank you!

There is a Facebook group you might be interested in-- I think the name is Illustrious Botanical Illustration or something like that. I get four or five posts a day from them, and they're my daily shots of beauty.

[Karadeniz]

9. He's wearing his southwestern look today!