Today I leave for an extended stay in Argentina. Many have asked me if my trip is for work or fun, and my standard response has been, “It’s for work, and it will be fun!” For the next eight weeks, I’ll be helping out with field trials and speaking to farmers (while sampling a few Malbecs as well). Of course I would rather it be an 8-week collecting trip, but I consider myself fortunate even to have an opportunity such as this. I’ll pick up a few insects along the way, but what I really hope to bring back in large quantity is photographs.
It’s a little difficult to predict how reliable and consistent I’ll have internet access or the time to take advantage of it, so postings over the next few weeks may be a little less regular than what has become my usual custom. The trip is also heavily front-loaded with work activities as I get my bearings and spend time getting to know my new colleagues, so I’m not sure when I might have new photos to show here. Not to worry, I have plenty of material that I haven’t yet shown. Until then, I leave you with this photograph I took last November at La Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur in Buenos Aires. These tiny bugs seem to be early-instar leaf-footed bug (family Coreidae) nymphs, their bright red and black coloration and aggregating behavior indicating ample chemical protection against predation.
Early-instar coreid nymphs | Buenos Aires, Argentina
Copyright © Ted C. MacRae 2012
Beetles In The Bush 
My goodness – these little honies are adorable….some of my favorite babies are in this family….they have so much personality!! Yes – I am a nerd….and I love bugs! (all part of the therapy)
Woud like to see your comments on Twitter. Someone could Tweet for you, and see your photos. Many “green” people would love them.
Enjoy your 8 weeks of”work”. Hope you can get a few photos
as long as it is fun 🙂 Enjoy your 8 weeks.
What a grand adventure. Must confess I’m jealous and hope you’ll post photos and narrative of the whole thing! Safe travels.
Buen viaje! We used to call similar insects “butt-in-the-air bugs.”
Buen viaje y tenga cuidado! Love the coreids! They are so neat when they are nymphs compared to when they are adults.
Have a wonderful, safe, and productive trip!
Sher
Beauties! These critters, though in no way related, bear a wee passing resemblance to the hoards of flashy box elder bugs that turn my yew hedge in Columbia, MO into a massive, writhing singles’ bar every august. They’re a bit disconcerting to unsuspecting visitors, but they’re real lookers, too. I rather look forward to seeing them every year. Their appearance always means it’s time to get ready for the new school year.
Thanks all – the trip here was tough (always is), especially going straight to the field the day of arrival. But I’m feeling good now and hope to get lots of good photographs over the next several weeks.
Caio!