Our Bug FriendS!

[thisearthlyride]

Per request (how did I know you'd want to see photos, dirtyjew?!?), this post contains pictures of our bug.

Funny thing is, we discovered tonight that our bug is actually TWO bugs! I was coming upstairs and found what appeared to be our bug at the top- on his back, antennae barely moving. (I will admit to being a bit saddened that he looked so close to heading to bug heaven.) I eventually was able to get him to grip onto the end of a Q-tip and brought him downstairs to chill on one of the plants.

I went back upstairs and, to my surprise, found his twin just outside the bedroom door (a mere 2 feet from where I had just rescued poor bug #1). I snapped a few pics and was going to let him go on his way when Luka decided that bug #2 looked like a fun plaything and pounced. I spent a good 5 minutes trying to get Luka to go away so I could scoop bug #2 up and safely transport him down the the plant to be rejoined with his twin. Who would have figured someone could get so worked up over a couple of bugs?

Anywho...

Comments

[fireworkboy.livejournal.com]

My dearest darling alex, I guess u did not know this, but before I started teaching kids science I studied (and still do) as an entomologist. I have worked at both Yale and Harvard in the entomological field. I will tell u right now that what you have there is a Western Conifer Seed Bug, of the order Hemiptera or "true bug." It is of the same family as the more well-known "stink bug" and if disturbed, it too will egnerate a sickeningly sweet odor, but it is not of the same genus that is well-known as the classis "stink bug." They range all over north America, and they come inside when it is cold seeking shelter. They do not feed or cause damage of any kind. Just think of him as a seasonal hosue guest. Here's a link with mor information: http://www.caes.state.ct.us/FactSheetFiles/Entomology/fsen016f.htm and I trust that you will direct all future bug-related questions to me. xo