Tag Archives: insects

Seeing the unseen

While trying to nab a cicada from the small trees planted on the grounds at our experiment station here in Fontezuela, Argentina, I happened to notice a bit of movement on one of the branches nearest to me (while the … Continue reading

Posted in Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 15 Comments

A tortoise beetle gift

A few days after returning from travel through northern Argentina, I found a jar on my desk with this beetle in it. One of my colleagues has seen it in the field while I was away and figured I would be interested … Continue reading

Posted in Chrysomelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Retrachydes thoracicus – times four!

Disclaimer—these are not great photos! A few days ago I posted this little quip as my status on Facebook: “Cool! Found a Retrachydes thoracicus thoracicus on the sidewalk outside my hotel!” I chuckled a little as I posted it, knowing that only … Continue reading

Posted in Cerambycidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments

Chicharra que canta, calor adelanta

There is a species of cicada (“chicharra” in Spanish) that strikes me as quite common in the central Humid Pampas region of Argentina. I saw numerous individuals during March of last year at La Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur (where these photos were taken), … Continue reading

Posted in Cicadidae, Hemiptera | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

The most common beetle in Argentina

I don’t know if this is truly the case, but Astylus atromaculatus (family Melyridae) is one of only a few beetles in the country that actually has two Spanish common names—”astylus moteado” and “siete de oro” (meaning “spotted astylus” and “seven of gold”, both … Continue reading

Posted in Coleoptera, Melyridae | Tagged , , , , , | 6 Comments

Eriopis connexa on soybean in Argentina

Congratulations to those of you who correctly guessed the identity of the “subject” in ID Challenge #16 as the ladybird beetle Eriopis connexa (family Coccinellidae). This is one of the most common ladybird beetles in Argentina, and during the past … Continue reading

Posted in Coccinelidae, Coleoptera | Tagged , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

ID Challenge #16

This will be the last post for BitB Challenge Session #5 (for a recap of the current standings see A Living Jewel – Madecassia rothschildi). This is a straight up identification challenge, but with a twist. Can you identify the subject … Continue reading

Posted in [No taxon] | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Lord of the flies!

I happened upon a rather interesting scene last week in a soybean field in northern Argentina (Chaco Province). This assassin bug (family Reduviidae) had captured and was feeding on an adult stink bug of the species Piezodorus guildinii—an important pest of soybean … Continue reading

Posted in Chloropidae, Diptera, Hemiptera, Milichiideae, Pentatomidae, Reduviidae | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 22 Comments