While visiting WA recently, I was introduced to the sandgroper. Colloquially, people in WA are sometimes called sandgropers but, because the actually creature is one most residents have never seen, I anticipated my likelihood of see one to be limited to the WA Museum. In an astonishing turn of good luck, I had one of these critters present itself to me, on a pathway in Neil Hawkins Park, Joondalup. This one was roughly 9.5 cm in length.

Video credited to @wildbieneundpartner.ch on IG.

Ten lined June beetle! I have to quit saying this is my favorite bug because at this point I would have hundreds of favorites.

I love this one because of the hissing sound they make. Sounds very similar to bat hissing sounds! 🦇

The forests are growing quiet. These are my most recent observations as the autumn settles in. I love my insect friends so much. They mostly go unnoticed and underappreciated by many, while they work hard to ensure the cycle of life continues 💚🪲 they are the real mvps!

Saw this beetle outside and thought it was one of the coolest looking bugs I’ve ever seen. Just wanted to post it

I live in Ontario Canada for reference. I’m having a hard time differentiating it. I found him on my balcony. This picture was taken on August 5th.

The notorious BMSB illustrated by Baltimore based artist David Plunkert (not me) for the New Yorker's article "When Twenty-Six Thousand Stinkbugs Invade Your Home" by Kathryn Schulz, published in 2018.

Any idea what type of moth this is? Tried to find it online. I've spotted them a few times throughout my life, but never while laying eggs. Was super cool to see! - South Africa

eastern US, in a parking lot. it looks like some kind of katydid but the wings seem disproportionately small for a katydid? also not sure what the brown spots are, is it injured/sick?

My daughter’s preschool class has been very interested in bugs so far this year. The school does a great job of following the organic interests of the kids and structuring supportive, creative learning experiences based on those interests.

I thought about suggesting a bug hotel project, and have been doing some research on it. It seems the main down side is the potential for mites and parasite populations getting too concentrated? If I recommended they plan to disassemble the hotel next year in the summer since properly cleaning them isn’t necessarily practical, would this be a good activity?

They have a large campus (it’s a private K-8 school) with a wooded area. Other than the wooded area, they definitely don’t “leave the leaves,” and I don’t think there’s a good chance of me convincing them to. So while I understand the best way is to simply let nature do its thing, I thought this could be a fun and educational project for the kids who are already showing a lot of interest in insects.

Also, should I propose it be installed somewhere outside their main outdoor play area? The idea being they could still take class walks to check it out with teacher supervision, but it wouldn’t be inviting curious hands to disassemble it every day.

Any advice appreciated! Especially if it includes suggestions for preschool age books that could accompany this extended lesson.

Pic is not my own, using it to satisfy the algorithm tax

Found this on my morning jog. I've never seen a dragon fly this big, southeast asia region.

Taken about a month ago in Korea. I think they’re midges and I often see them flying in clusters from late summer through autumn but this is the first time I’ve seen them flying in vertical columns. There were several of these columns along the river. Kinda reminded me of Death Stranding.

Video credited to @bethany1079 on IG.

Please correct my id if I’m wrong too!

My neighbor found this guy in his warehouse at work and brought him home to me because I raise monarchs (not a pro, first year). But I live in Michigan and from what I’ve read, they’re about to overwinter. I don’t want to disrupt that…
What should I do? I’m prepared to raise him inside or should I release him in hopes that he can find somewhere quickly?
Super new at this, please be kind! Also a huge empath and sometimes I know that gets me in trouble haha. less

I thought this group might appreciate my comic about plume moths, aka IUD moths😉

Found this little guy repelling from my monitor using a web before quickly climbing back onto it after I accidentally shook it and the whole table. After clearly accidentally scaring him I moved him to a planter (which he wasn't too sure about) and he moved onto my lamp where I took the video. Very distinguished.

Nobody moved at all until I left.

I spotted this incredible little moth with ridiculously long antennae resting on a green leaf. After some research, I believe it's a type of Longhorn Fairy Moth (family Adelidae). Its antennae are almost comical compared to its tiny body size! Has anyone else had the chance to photograph these fascinating insects?

Camera Settings:

• Camera: SONY ILCE-7M4
• Lens: FE 90mm F2.8 Macro G OSS
• Aperture: f/11
• Shutter Speed: 1/250 sec.
• ISO: 100