Biography:
I'm a little old lady who plays with bugs and gets way too emotionally involved with them. I have no formal education, background, or experience in entomology, so calling myself an amateur is aiming high.
Even though I am despicably old with one tarsus in the grave, my purpose here is to learn as much as I can and share as many observations as I can. I believe that large numbers of species that we enjoy or gripe about or ignore will no longer be here for future generations as humans continue to destroy habitat and disrupt ecosystems. What I value most in entomology is preservation and conservation, which I think is most critical in these times of apathy and ignorance. This site contributes in invaluable ways by making entomology accessible, allowing amateurs to interact with experts in learning to appreciate the magnificent world of insects.
In my recent experience with insects, I have handraised many species of insects and spiders. I'm on the periphery of entomology in that I practice "compassionate rearing" of various species and get to know them intimately in simulated natural habitats. My intention is to contribute to the knowledge base by reporting on the life history and ethology of some of the many insects I raise and observe on a daily basis.
My hope is that as many humans as possible will do everything they can to preserve species and their fragile habitats, along with all the relevant information, observations, photos, and data we have accumulated.
My BugGuide articles include the following:
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Raising Neoconocephalus triops (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- A detailed article on raising an F1 and F2 generation of this intriguing species.
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How Not to Rear Neobarrettia spinosa (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Listroscelidinae)
- An attempt to add some information about how to and how not to care for Neobarrettia spinosa, a very unusual obligate carnivore among the katydids.
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Raising Gryllus texensis (Orthoptera: Gryllidae)
- A detailed article on raising multiple generations of this beautiful field cricket.
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Raising and Overwintering Labidomera clivicollis (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
- This is the creature I know best is as I have handraised them in the hundreds and watched them through every stage of life. I deeply love these beetles.
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Raising Eleodes goryi (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) from Egg to Adult
- These beautiful desert beetles are a joy to raise. The challenge is getting final-instar larvae to pupate.
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Raising Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae)
- This is the first bug I ever raised in large numbers and got to know well. With these guys, I raised Oncopeltus sexmaculatus and a few Lygaeus kalmii.
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Raising Gratiana pallidula (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
- This is a sweet, beautiful little beetle, and probably excellent for people just starting out with rearing. They are easy to raise and progress quickly through complete metamorphosis.
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Raising Deloyala guttata (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
- These are spectacularly gorgeous tortoise beetles whom I got to know and raise through multiple generations.
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Raising Megaphasma denticrus (Phasmida: Diapheromeridae) from Egg to Adult
- Phasmids are always fascinating and these Texas-sized phasmids are especially interesting and fun to raise as long as you've got plenty of space for extra large cages.
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Raising Largus succinctus (Hemiptera: Largidae)
- This is a fun and easy-to-raise true bug who is quite content to eat just about anything.
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Raising Acanthocephala terminalis (Hemiptera: Coreidae)
- A large and lovely leaf-footed bug that is so much fun to raise.
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Raising Leptoglossus phyllopus (Hemiptera, Coreidae) from Egg to Adult
- An easy-to-find and easy-to-raise true bug.
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Raising Pediodectes haldemanii (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- A big, bulky, clumsy, adorable predatory katydid
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Raising brown Pediodectes spp. (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) Nymph to Adult
- A generic article about non-haldemanii Pediodectes spp.
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Raising Amblycorypha huasteca (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Egg to Adult
- A large and spectacular katydid.
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Raising Amblycorypha parvipennis (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Egg to Adult
- A medium and delightful katydid.
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Raising Amblycorypha rivograndis (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Egg to Adult
- A small and beautiful katydid.
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Raising Obolopteryx catinata (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Egg to Adult
- A short article on raising this imperiled species.
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Raising Arethaea (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) from Nymph to Adult
- A slim, delicate, beautiful, and very mysterious katydid.
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Raising Conocephalus fasciatus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- A small, agile, grass-loving slender meadow katydid.
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Caring for Paracyrtophyllus robustus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae) Nymphs and Adults
- A large, loud, and magnificent katydid who makes his presence known.
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Raising Scudderia furcata (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- A commonly found katydid who's fun to rear.
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Raising Orchelimum silvaticum (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- A lovely, diurnal meadow katydid
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Raising Conocephalus strictus (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)
- An interesting and rather cryptic meadow katydid
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Raising Oecanthinae (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Oecanthinae)
- A detailed article on raising multiple generations of Oecanthus varicornis, Oecanthus fultoni, and Oecanthus celerinictus.
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Caring for Grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Acrididae)
- Just some general tips for caring for grasshoppers
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Raising Cycloptilum (Orthoptera: Gryllidae: Mogoplistinae)
- A short guide to get you started on this (not well studied?) small, sweet scaly cricket.
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Raising and Caring For Salticidae (Araneae: Salticidae) – jumping spiders
- A description of rearing and caring for various species of Salticidae (jumping spiders) with a focus on the species that I have raised.
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Caring for Spiders (Araneae): A Very General Overview
- A brief overview of caring for and rearing spiders in general, focused on a few of the species that I have cared for.
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Raising Arge sawflies (Hymenoptera: Argidae)
- Very brief article on raising larvae to adults of one species.
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Using Bee Fondant for Overwintering Honey Bees
- Tips on helping our bee friends by providing fondant
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Rearing: Some General Tips
- General information for folks new to rearing.
(Several more articles on the way ...) (no, really!) (I'm shamefully behind on processing photos and videos, but am continuing my work every day.)
In addition, I have raised many species of butterflies and moths (including crazy numbers of Papilio polyxenes and Danaus (gilippus and plexippus)) and miscellaneous other critters. Unlike normal people, I name and get very attached to my bugs. And in my love for them, I get to know them quite well through all their stages of development. Observing their behaviour keeps me rapt.
My bug love is credited to a bug named Angel, an Oncopeltus fasciatus who came home with me with his mate on a plant from a nursery. I didn't even know what he was (or what order!) until someone identified him for me. When Angel's wife died, I desperately sought a new wife for him. I found several more O. fasciatus and ended up rearing them through multiple generations. It was love at first bug. Falling so deeply in love with Angel is what started it all.
Angel (left) and his wife, Angelina.
My insect of passion is Labidomera clivicollis, whom I would like to see protected, as it appears the species is more and more threatened as milkweed habitat declines.
Labidomera clivicollis laying eggs:
I want to express my deepest gratitude to Nancy Collins, Oliver Beckers, Brandon Woo, Tyler Hedlund, and Lisa Rainsong for their kindness, their help, their inspiration. I think the kindest thing you can do for others is to inspire them, mentor them, and help them progress toward their aspirations.
My Flickr albums are here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/95854225@N02/albums
**Insect albums follow location albums - please scroll down for them; several orders of local insects are represented.**
I use gmail with username dvoripix if anyone wants to get in touch.
I request that all of the content I have contributed to BugGuide.net (photos, several articles on rearing, comments, etc.) remain on the site after I slip back into the dust to join the bugs that I came to love.
“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.”
― Richard Feynman
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