From my observations of the hundreds of kids that we do outreaches for, young children aren't afraid of and actively enjoy looking at and touching the bugs. It's not until about the 3rd or 4th grade that the kids, particularly the girls, start to recoil and fear them. I'm not sure whether that's a reflection fo socialization, or just life experiences like finding earwigs in the bathroom or roaches in the pantry. Oftentimes, our most fearful patrons are parents or other adult chaperones.
It's an ermine moth, family Yponomeutidae. I took the picture in Dominica, West Indies. However, I know the family (and I'm pretty sure this species) is distributed throughout much of the continental US.
Near as I can tell, it's a ground beetle (family Carabidae)of some kind. We caught one last night, in the same place--it was flying in low, lazy circles--and earlier in the day we found another one. I've never seen them here before, now there's three in one month. Go figure.
Damn! those are some photogenic kidsbrush_ratJuly 27 2005, 06:08:31 UTC
Ah the benefits of superior genetic engineering and keeping them away from breakfast cereals with interesting prizes inside. Thanks for posting these. I've had it in the back of my mind to post some of the pics on my blog, but I haven't had a chance yet. We really enjoyed the visit.
Re: Damn! those are some photogenic kidsurbpanJuly 27 2005, 10:44:27 UTC
They are so beautiful that it's hard to believe that we're related. I've got a bunch more pictures--too many to post--from Doc's disc and my camera. You saw the aquarium ones a few posts back?
Duncan and Frankie were a tremendous joy to have around. I hope Alexis and I can see them again very soon.
Awww those are such cute photos. Its cool to see kids that young appreciate nature and especially "creepy, nasty" things. ;P
My batch of hissers gave me 30+ babies yesterday. I am hopeing for some more females. A few of them got out the top of the cage, but luckily my kittens are good at finding things. haha.
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Yay for picking taterbugs!
What IS that giant beetle?
Supercute kids.
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I've got a bunch more pictures--too many to post--from Doc's disc and my camera. You saw the aquarium ones a few posts back?
Duncan and Frankie were a tremendous joy to have around. I hope Alexis and I can see them again very soon.
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My batch of hissers gave me 30+ babies yesterday. I am hopeing for some more females. A few of them got out the top of the cage, but luckily my kittens are good at finding things. haha.
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This is why they're at urbpan's work and not in the house. Yikes!
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