Lanternfly (Pyrops candelaria), family Fulgoridae, Huay Xai, Bokeo, Laos

Photograph by Richard Ling

Penthicodes farinosus is a lovely lanternfly I saw in Sarawak, Malaysia. its specific name means “floury,” in reference to the white waxy bloom on its forewings and thorax. lanternflies never disappoint with their color schemes, and the individuals I saw contrasted egg yolk eyes with a deep teal bar on their wings.

what’s more, I got to see one of my favorite insect interactions later that night. most of you might have heard of ants eating honeydew from aphids, but all sap-drinking hemipterans excrete excess sugar, and many different animals will feed on it! in this case, a moth sat behind a Penthicodes, waiting to catch droplets of honeydew on its tongue.

The Mystic

adding another wizard to my roster, this one based on Zanna nobilis

Bug of the Day

Spotted lanternflies are taking over my life...

Hehe there's never a pest too big for me to handle!

PUNK BUGS PUNK BUGS !!! They crump pest control

Angelo’s species (Orthodera Ministralis) is a reference to my own pet mantis Fronzoli (named after the new psychedelic prn crumpets album) who I love so much yay!

sooooo nosey!

If let Spotted Lanternflies live in America why not bring in a nice monster fulgorid like Phrictus diadema, this is an old to ancient specimen at the Smithsonian.

YOU

(no mean comments. shoo)

Soooooooooooo may i request a Pyrops candelaria?😳💖 (latin because it's more specific to search it up, which i recommend if you by any chance don't know it.. there are a lot of different lanternflys but this one is just a funky looking little creature with it's snout)

Pyrops Candelaria - ref. image

This funky little dude was a though cookie to crack - THANK YOU. I love him!

(i'm not sure why the colours are a bit weird here, probably cus artificial light? oh well)

Saw-tooth lantern bug, Zanna nobilis, Fulgoridae

Found in Southeast Asia

Photos by Nicky Bay // Website // Facebook

Photos shared with permission; do not remove credit or re-post!

Lanternfly (Scamandra rosea), family Fulgoridae, Sarawak, Borneo, Malaysia

Photograph by Nicky Bay

colorful lanternflies are a staple in every tropical forest’s feast for the eyes; while I missed the fancier Fulgora and Phrictus in Costa Rica, I did see three (?) species of hook-nosed Enchophora.

another very large fulgorid came to lunch, Diareusa imitatrix. while well camouflaged with wings closed, as I tried to escort it out of the kitchen it flashed its striking hindwings spotted with white, and when flipped over revealed scarlet patches on the underside of the forewing:

lanternflies’ aposematic (warning) coloration isn’t a bluff, either: I briefly held one of the Enchophora between my lips while adjusting my camera for a photo and realized a while after I’d released it that the waxy coating on their bodies is horribly bitter!

The Ace of Horns emerges as a beacon of clarity, truth, and the mighty force wielded by the intellect. This card stands as a testament to the pursuit of absolute clarity amid the swirling mists of confusion, urging us to unveil truths obscured by the fog of uncertainty. It symbolizes the raw, unyielding might of the mind, inviting the inception of novel ideas and transformative perspectives capable of cleaving through layers of deception and ambiguity.

Within the realm of Fulgorid planthoppers, sometimes called ‘lanternflies’, a reflection of the card's essence comes to life. These animals are known for their distinctive and elongated "horn," which is actually an extension of their head. Sheathed within this hollow structure is an elongated proboscis, which they use to pierce plants and feed on sap. This distinctive feature serves as a living symbol, epitomizing their innate ability to carve through the dense underbrush of confusion with unwavering precision. Additionally, this card emphasizes the crucial role of mental acumen and astute decision-making, mirroring the lantern bugs' precision in employing their proboscis for sustenance. It champions the embrace of reason as the pathway to triumphant breakthroughs, guiding us in deciphering challenges, and confronting adversities with the keen edge of an incisive intellect.

In the guise of these ethereal creatures with their sword-like countenances, we find a powerful lesson—a tribute to embracing individuality and harnessing the innate strength stemming from the recognition and utilization of our unique capabilities. They stand as luminous teachers, reminding us to cherish the array of talents and attributes within the depths of our souls. This card, as an ethereal guidepost, calls upon us to delve deeper into our understanding of the world, challenging us to refine our perceptions and remain aligned with our authentic selves. In doing so, we not only cut through the fog of confusion but unveil the extraordinary insights awaiting discovery amidst the boundless expanse of existence.

Prints available on Redbubble and Inprnt

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Royal Ontario Museum - Insect Exhibits 2

Good news, I managed to squeeze in one more insect visit to the Royal Ontario Museum before the end of the year! As such the living denizens of the natural history section will be showcased one more time before 2024 is upon us. Before that, I'd like to take a moment to share new pictures from the insect displays within the natural history section. Compared to the pictures from 2019, these are a quantum leap forward in terms of clarity and use of lighting. The Peanut Bug - Fulgora laternaria (Picture 1) has always been a favorite of mine, so I always take the opportunity to go and visit it and marvel at the ridiculousness of the size of that head protuberance. Though a bit oversized, such a head fixature has an important function: knocking it against a tree is its mating call. If the attention they draw is unwelcome, they can startle their voyeurs with the eyeball spots on its wings. These markings are more prominent in live specimens; this pinned specimen's colors have faded away over time. You can even compare the images from 2019 and you'll see a difference in color saturation. Otherwise, when this Hemipteran is at rest, it looks similar to a helmeted Cicada with more opaque wings. In terms of relations however, the Peanut Bug is more closely related to the Spotted Lanternfly of Asia, as they are both part of the family Fulgoridae.

I'm also particularly fond of the texture of the Shining Leaf Beetle's (Picture 3 - Chrysophora chrysochlora) ornate emerald shell, and the tropical colors of the Weevils on display. Especially the blue Eupholus specimens (Picture 9 - right side specimens). Finally, I also noticed a new section (to me) in the animal gallery featuring Butterflies of the tropics and I'm still amazed at how large they are. Many of these iridescent, vibrantly-colored specimens have wingspan sizes that can be as large as a hand! They are more appropriately known as Birdwing Butterflies and they are all giants compared to the Butterflies that grow in the temperate climate of Toronto! The specimens focused on here are the Green Goliath Birdwing (Ornithoptera goliath - Pictures 2, 5 and 6), the black-and-white female Priam's birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus - Picture 8), the male Palawan Birdwing (Trogonoptera trojana - Picture 10 top), Wallace's Golden Birdwing (Ornithoptera croesus - Picture 10 middle) and the female Paradise Birdwing (Ornithoptera paradisea - Picture 10 bottom), but there are many more in the background. To glimpse these in person is wonderful, but seeing them flying around in their tropical environments would be a magical experience!

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Please come and see the bugs if you can, both the living insect specimens and the many displays. Click on this link to view ROM - Insect Exhibits 1.

Since these insect collections belong to the ROM, I’ve marked them with the Mantis icon. As well, Happy first day of Winter (tomorrow)!

Source details and larger version.

Some very weird vintage insects are collected here.