Male & Female Hercules Beetle - Native Virginians

They make very attractive garnishes..... don't you think?..... ha. After they're done eating though, the orange slices are fair game! Enjoy ;0)


On a more serious note, this image shows the size relationship between the sexes. View from above - Adult Male (left) & Female Eastern Hercules Beetle (aka Rhinoceros, Rhino, Horned, Horn, Scarab or Unicorn) - Scarabaeidae Family - Dynastes tityus - Their Wild Natural Adult Diet Is Tree Sap

I discovered invaluable information about Hercules Beetles and their care at the following website from the University of Kentucky Entomology Department:
http://www.uky.edu/Ag/CritterFiles/casefile/insects/beetles/hercules/rearing/rearing.htm

Wildlife Insect Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala
Image taken in Richmond Virginia - Chesterfield County
All my images are copyright protected with all rights reserved.

NOT an edible topping!!!!!

Happy 4th of July to ALL you RVA people out there!!!!

Be safe ;0)

Nature Wildlife Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

This image is copyright protected with all rights reserved.

Eastern Hercules Beetle taken in Richmond, Virginia.

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Fishing Spider has a second home - Right beside our reading chair..... for company ;0)

"Terminator" will be getting an even larger home but for now it suffices. Eating a cricket every other day and fresh water provided, this arachnid is quite content. Don't be alarmed that it isn't getting enough oxygen as the lid is simply resting loosely on top of the pickle jar..... just secure enough to keep it in..... and the cats out. Oddly it has no interest in attempting to escape so must be happy. Terminator will eventually be released to join its own kind in the wetland area of the yard.... and I only hope it doesn't return to our basement EVER AGAIN!!!!!! ;0)

Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Fishing Spider in pickle jar - Aggressive Arachnid

Intimidation Stare ;0)

(click on images to supersize)

Well I've had this "pet" for a few days now and its attitude hasn't improved. I will NOT be removing it from its home to photograph therefore I apologise for images taken through glass. The critter sure relishes crickets!
Nature Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

New pet wants to EAT me ;0( Fearless!

Shown in its temporary home perched on top of a toilet paper roll. Instead of running away this guy goes TOWARD you when getting close to it. Ha.

Absolutely No Fear Here!

Aggressive, very agile & loves devouring crickets. New abode is a large pickle jar so as soon as the transfer is completed (wanna help?) I'll post a picture.

Fishing Spider http://bugguide.net/node/view/1985 Photograph by Carolyn Hietala

Tree Frog in a Pickle Jar

Northern Spring Peeper - Pseudacris crucifer crucifer http://www.dgif.state.va.us/wildlife/information/?s=020071

Ever seen those huge jars of pickles

at your local grocery store?

Why purchase an aquarium when you can repurpose a pickle jar as a terrarium or fishbowl. Just remember to NEVER EVER screw the lid on but just rest it gently on top. But this probably is not the best choice, especially with children in the household. A lid made of window screen held on by wire or a rubber band would work best. NEVER place the jar in direct sunlight..... goes without saying.

This little critter was rescued and will be released as soon as Spring is officially in progress. I have just the spot already picked out..... with plenty of Peeper company ;0)

Nature Art by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Recycle Those Cappuccino Coffee Cups..... OR - What do millipedes, plants & a Spring Peeper frog all have in common?

Most of us have discarded cups that we have become either tired of or because they have been chipped or cracked. I use these potential throwaways as starter pots to propagate house plants. My millipede terrarium needed cleaning so I seized the opportunity to add some decor..... old chipped or less than perfect china housing greenery. I also included artificial ivy and a worn vintage plate for more interest. The additions effectively conceal from immediate view the food / water dishes and the small fishbowl of substrate where the millipedes hangout during the daylight hours. Sorry no pictures of the millipedes as they are asleep but see my label "millipede" and there they are.

This view of the tank from above shows the Spring Peeper tree frog nestled beside the dish (click on image to supersize) of dog food. Yesterday the little fellow very happily spent the day in the water dish. Just north of the frog is the fishbowl housing the millipedes. I hope this arrangement works well for all inhabitants ;0)

Nature Art by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Group Hug Anyone? Is it a Communal Bath? Or a Tribal Ritual?

Or just a friendly disagreement over dinner!

(click on images to supersize)

Narceus americanus / annularis

The largest millipede in North America.

For more information via Bugguide.net: http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordLandingES/Ecology/mpages/north_american_millipede.htm

Photograph by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Portrait of a millipede - What an adorable face on this Richmond resident.

This particular four inch long specimen is my pet and is shown peering over its water dish. What big eyes you have! The Narceus americanus / annularis complex is the largest USA native millipede and being nocturnal not often seen. They are quite harmless but if you handle them you should wash your hands before touching your eyes. They can discharge a substance if frightened that can be skin irritating to some but I have never experienced it. If you hold them gently that shouldn't happen. Otherwise they do not bite and thoroughly enjoy eating dry quality pellet dog food and various organic (remember no pesticides) raw vegetable scraps sprinkled with calcium powder. Carrots seem a favorite. I will post more photos later but in the meantime here's what Bugguide.net has to say about this millipede: http://bugguide.net/node/view/15012
Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/

Cyanide producing Millipede - Apheloria virginiensis corrugata - Identified via Bugguide.net - Handle with caution!

(click on images to enlarge)

When disturbed this Virginia residing Millipede can exude a toxic poison so be sure to wash your hands immediately after handling..... cyanide! Pretty good defensive mechanism. Otherwise they are harmless so there is no need to kill them. Children should not be allowed to handle them as often a child will put things in their mouth.
Beautiful colors and so many legs. More information available via Bugguide.net http://bugguide.net/node/view/97404 about this interesting arthropod.
Photo by Carolyn Hietala http://carolynhietalapaintings.blogspot.com/