#(september2019)

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Bald-Faced Hornet - Dolichovespula maculata

It's been a good while since the blog has had images of this fierce insect out and about (and away from the nest). Moreover, there's one other significant reason why this specie returns to the blog for further exploration. Recently, a dear friend shared with me a video featuring a Blackjacket Wasp they jarred, and the resemblance between the two species is remarkable! In fact, one could be forgiven for mistaking one for the other. Given the need to highlight difference between the two, we have this post, which begins with a very important picture (1): a reasonable capture of a Bald-Faced Hornet's face. Quite a fearsome specimen, wouldn't you agree? With those large eyes and sharp mandibles, prey insects stand no chance if they are seized for the colony! However, take note of the following observations regarding the (bald) face of this Wasp: the elongated face and the prominent gap between the compound eye and the top of the mandible. This divide - fittingly termed the oculomalar space - is key to distinguish the Dolichovespula from the Vespula.

This facial space is much smaller in Blackjackets, and other Vespula Wasps by extension, including Yellowjackets. Those Wasps' mandible tops nearly touch the bottom of the compound eye! Given the differences here, might there be some advantage to having a prominent oculomalar space and repositioned mandibles? The biting prowess of this large specie may hold some answers...or maybe it doesn't mean much in the grand scheme of things. Either way, if you wish to confirm the identity of the dark Wasp you find foraging among your flowers or devouring pest insects, you'll need a clear view of the face (done as safely as possible). Not only for the space, but Bald Hornets and Blackjacket Wasps also have differing facial markings. While individuals can be very different, it seems that Bald-Faced Hornets have a bisecting line down their face, and a bar between their eyes which doesn't quite touch the bottom section of the compound eyes. To me, this gives the Wasp's head a skull-like profile! With Blackjackets, the bisecting line is replaced with a small patch close to the mandibles. It's also somewhat possible to use size as a guide, as Bald Hornets seem to be larger than Blackjackets across all castes (queens, workers and males) on average.

Pictures were taken on September 2, 2019 with a Samsung Galaxy S4, and on September 5, 2021 with a Google Pixel 4.

[drdadbooks]

One Too Many U8A7581 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: Not drinks! Bugs! A sow tries to take a nap on a warm summer afternoon only to find herself disturbed by a large number of gnats and mosquitoes. Most times their thick fur seems to protect them, but when the insects get into her eyes she does her best to brush them off.

[juliasphotoarchives]

21.9.19

[daweesims]

Boston in September 2019: The Best Concerts, Comedy and Sports Events Step into a whimsical wonderland of entertainment as Boston unveils its grand September spectacle. Immerse yourself in the harmony of live concerts, indulge in the laughter therapy of comedy shows, and cheer for your favorite teams at thrilling sports events. Let the magic of this unforgettable month envelop you.

[frostyalice]

*kicks fic into the void*

has it really been *looks at clipboard* almost 3 years since posting a jalice fic??? yes. am i as active as i was then? absolutely not. is this completely random considering the answer to those two questions? yes. anyway! i am officially throwing this bit of fic i had started writing into the void. i didn't realize i had 2k of it written but the following part is what i had planned to be the ending/what really inspired it

context!/summary: nomadic jasper au. Alice has been living with the cullens on her own for a while. Jasper has long since split from charlotte and peter. He stumbles across a small town with an unusually high (living) body count considering there's 4+ vampires residing there. never feels good enough to approach but soon he and alice are having their own little forest clearing visits. he knows she knows an uncanny amount about him. but still hasn't shown his face or introduced himself. until now

He’s standing in his usual tree; high enough that a human would never spot him, and with enough branch covering that he felt a little sense of protection from Alice.

Alice, who’s currently prattling on about her day, telling him how she had had the funniest visions of a guy named Mike Newton get shot down by a girl named Lauren.

Suddenly, her eyes lose focus a little and he loses his emotional read on her. It had freaked him out at first; she essentially disappeared to him. But he’s used to it now, even though his eyes do a quick sweep for any potential dangers. She comes to with a smile that seems mostly to herself.

“Anyway, I do believe it’s time for me to head back,” she says abruptly. Jasper frowns, never liking the thought of her leaving him to go back to that coven of vampires. “I’m sure you’ve already figured it out,” she interrupts, “but I just realized I’ve never formally introduced myself.” The small vampire is correct. He figured out all their names within a day of stumbling across their strange house. Still, he appreciates the sentiment of introducing oneself.

“I’m Alice Cullen,” she announces cheerfully, as seemed to be her default mood. “I’d love for you to introduce yourself, too.” A small frown graces her lips, and Jasper feels a twinge of shame at having been the one to put it there, even if done so indirectly. “Maybe one day you’ll do me the honor.”

She turns to leave, like every other day, never expecting anything from him. And Jasper, he has had enough of this hiding.

“Jasper,” he finds himself saying before he can second guess it. He takes his time descending branches in what he hopes is a graceful, non-scary manner. “My name is Jasper Whitlock.”

He doesn’t know what to expect, but it sure isn’t what happens next. The small vampire holds out her hand and smiles a smile so bright it’d put the sun to shame.

“I know. You’ve kept me waiting a long time.”

Clearly having lost all reason, he advances so he’s just a foot away from her. She still doesn’t flinch.

“My apologies, ma’am.”

Hand still extended, he knows this is one of those moments. One he’ll remember for the rest of his existence. She doesn’t react when he places his scar covered hand in her clean, petite one.

With a feeling of happiness stronger than he’d ever experienced and a warm feeling he wasn’t quite sure he knew a word for enveloping him, she starts to lead him towards the house.

And for the first time in nearly a century, he feels a feeling he’s never felt before.

Hope.

[sergei-gussev]

#cattedrale #nuova #salamanca #castillayleón #spain #september2019 (at Cattedrale Nuova di Santa Maria dell'Assedio) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVXchEwIOJw/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ribbonboundthorns]

[booksofmirth]

Book of the Month: September 2019

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, Benjamin Alire Sáenz

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Rove Beetle - Tasgius sp.

Here we find a specimen similar in appearance to the Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle from last week. That’s precisely the point. Though similar, I mean to highlight (or at least mention) the differences between this insect and the Ocypus specie, if only to help with identifying the insects you find. Taking this identification with a grain of salt as I could be totally wrong here, you’ll want to look at the head of this Beetle to discover the genus it belongs to. The next time  I find one of these, that will be the goal for better, more defined images. Anyways, when taking a glance at the Tasgius Rove Beetles of North America, they’ll have slim mandibles with a gentle curvature towards the tip. Very handy for catching, restraining and carving up prey! Zooming in on the head of this Beetle, we see what might be slim mandibles tucked against the sides of head, the left mandible folded over the right one (Picture 4). Ocypus species on the other hand (like the aforementioned Devil’s Coach Horse Beetle) have shorter, enlarged mandibles with a secondary tooth on the inner curve. For a larger approximation of what this jaw shape looks like, look to the male Antelope Beetle, the only caveat being that the primary tooth would be longer.

Compared against the sickle-shaped blades of Tasgius species, a thick, curved mandible shape with a secondary tooth is quite effective for biting soft-bodied prey. For Ocypus, I mean. Antelope Beetles are vegetarians and the male uses its mandibles in mating competitions (as Stag Beetles often do) against other males. It might get a bit gruesome if the loser of the mandible sparring session became lunch as well. It’s remarkable that although different Beetles across their many families have a wide range of mandible shapes, sizes and strengths, mandibles can take on similar shapes for complete different functions. And of course, there are our ways to distinguish between funny-looking Earwigs Rove Beetles. Careful attention must be made to their heads, bodies (look for patterns), their legs and even their wings! Observe them carefully, as while I researching I’ve found there are elongated Beetles in other families with exposed wings and shortened (unarmored) wingcases that resemble Rovers (at a glance). For a colorful example that’s not found in Canada, compare the Beetle patrolling the patio above to Belotus bicolor, a yellow, short-winged Soldier Beetle. The similarities between the two abound!

Pictures were taken on September 22, 2019 with a Samsung Galaxy S4.

[drdadbooks]

Clarity in the Haze U8A1404 by Daniel D'Auria Via Flickr: On a misty morning in Lamar Valley a rising sun casts long shadow demonstrating that the large can seem small, the trivial, grandiose, and a world filled with diversity, unified. The perceptions of an aging man with waning vision or the discerning palette of an experienced artiste? All bull? Certainly! Bull moose!

[juliasphotoarchives]

12.9.19

[sherlockchallenge]

Hello and welcome to the slightly delayed September’s Challenge! The prompt for this month is without.

Have fun! Before you start please read the rules & FAQ - you can find them at the top of the page or here.

Reblog for signal boost and don’t forget to invite your favourite artists and writers to take part :) If you enjoy the challenges, please consider leaving a small tip via the ‘buy me coffee’ button - thank you <3

(Remember you can still enter the previous challenges as there are no deadlines. Also, if you have an idea for a future prompt, the askbox is always open and waiting - see FAQ for details)

IMPORTANT: Don’t wanna miss a challenge? Simply send me message and I will notify you every month via messenger when a new challenge comes up! :)

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I am trying to raise some money for a lovely charity - please donate here or see all the details here (links might not work after September 2019)

[astrologicallygracie]

This fall/winter period is going to be so healing for me. I’m so excited to get reacquainted with myself again this cold weather season & work on my goals while feeling the blessings I’ve already been given. Time for healing, time for manifesting, time for creating my world.

[sergei-gussev]

#riotormes #ciudadvieja #salamanca #castillayleón #spain #september2019 (at Rio Tormes, Salamanca) https://www.instagram.com/p/CVVsZXfoVvK/?utm_medium=tumblr

[ribbonboundthorns]