#bug box

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas morio

There's just something about today that warrants the showcase of "worms" and this particular specie of Darkling Beetle. Of course, the "worms" here aren't actual worms (referring to Annelids), there are the larval form of the armored individuals. This specie has already been covered before in detail; these pictures are actually part of the same set from a previous December post, so the information provided there also applies here. Although larvae and adults live together in the same terrarium, the latter will not eat the former. At least not while food is plentiful and there are no carcasses from expired Superworms to consider. Larvae however, are much more likely to eat each other, especially if some molt into defenseless pupae. Under the circumstances here, they aren't likely to molt while food and water are plentiful and many larvae are clustered together. Only when isolated from each other or placed in a secure environment will a larva turn into a pupa.

There are none here, but the Z. morio pupa are brownish-white, shrimp-shaped pupa and they eventually metamorphose into the adult Beetles you see before you. It's a staggering change, but the insect world is full of many astounding transformations as larvae/nymphs grow large, mature, and sprout wings. While the adult Beetles is heavily armored and can move around with greater locomotion, security and grip, they do lose certain advantages from their time as larvae. They can easily wriggle and navigate through the earth (or wood chips here), fit into small tunnels without needing to chew and expand them, and contour themselves along a surface as sleek-formed grubs. While these advantages may be missed, what is gained in adulthood (including the abilities to fly and reproduce) is more than worth it. If they would be told what was in store for them by an insect "Herald of the Change", would they accept?

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Check out the many insects of the Royal Ontario Museum if you happen to be in town.

[fuzzkaizer]

Reed Ghazala - Tom Wait's Bug Box

"Polaroid “Wink Light,” a 1960s strobe light turned into an insectaphone for Tom Waits."

cred: facebook.com/Reed Ghazala

[joeyclaire]

[bugthingsdaily]

today's bug thing are these beetle proposal ring holders by Marcia Selleri!

[bamsara]

what'd you do with the wasp

I'm gonna send it to @coffincrows :)

[lemonlimestar]

redrew some old robin93 related things i had in my sketchbooks :^) might throw them in procreate and fix them up when my ipad stops hating me

[hoofpeet]

Sitting on my forretress like a kid sitting on one of the red target balls

[bonesblubs]

Very out of nowhere but I just MUST have you know how much joy your tgcf drawing bring me. Every so often I’d just scroll through your FQ stuff and be filled with joy

I’m so glad!!! Throws this at you

[angelofalls]

"Ooh- just wait til I get my fists on ya'!"

[acidakerizo-47]

What did Zim and dib dress for Halloween? Something scary? Fairytale-like? Sexy?

OH I JUST FINISHED THE CHIBI DESIGNED OUTFITS FOR THEM IN A BUG THEME-- (For first Zim dressed up in smth erotic but Dib was against to that and he needed change his costume)

so they a cute ladybug (Zim don't like creepy stuff he's full of this at Halloween) and scary Vampire-bee (and Zim don't like the glasses Dib wear cuz it makes him really scary for him)

Initially the idea was only for a costume for Zim but in Discord one nice dude gave me an idea for Dib too and now we have a harmonious bug couple xd

hope you like it I don't mind if you'll get inspired and use this designs for your art, feel free to use it

[jonnysinsectcatalogue]

Zophobas Darkling Beetle (Superworm) - Zophobas morio

I had last seen the insects within this exhibit on May 16, 2023 and presented them into a combo-post with the other live insects on display. Previously, the majority of Zophobas Beetle individuals to see were adults with a few "Superworms" crawling around the environment. It's now 7 months later and the population dynamics of the terrarium have changed. There are plenty of adult Zophobas Darklings roaming around along their structures and the floor, but compared to last time, the amount of Superworms has substantially increased! It might just be dead-even between the adults and grubs. Some of the adult Beetles were scuffling among each other (see Pictures 1 and 3), but it didn't seem to carry very much aggression. In a controlled environment disputes over territory and resources should be rare as the environment is deliberately constructed and food is always provided. However, if there are many individuals in an area and not many good spots to hide, perhaps a challenge must be issued to show which Beetle is the boss for the day. This may also be a result of mating behavior...as can be seen in the background of Picture 1 with a lovely pair sneaking away (or at least, there's an attempt being made). Conversely, the Superworm population has expanded with many young individuals crawling, looping and wriggling throughout the chips, logs and holes. The larvae are long and wiry, and can easily navigating the bodies through the chewed holes and onto the shells of the adult Darklings.

Although the largest specimens are the most impressive, there are Beetle Grubs at all variety of different sizes and thusly different stages of development (refer to Picture 2). Some many be thin and worm-like, while others (such as the individual in Picture 9) can truly be called "Super". The larger the grub, the further along it is in instar count and the sooner until it's time for pupation! Superworms on display likely need to be monitored very closely as they cannot actually pupate in the presence of other Superworms, but usually as a result of overcrowding (which this does not appear to be). Since the description of this exhibit (not pictured) was updated to include the image of a pupa, it's possible that the metamorphosis process is available for the public to glimpse. I saw no pupae, but if I were a Superworm, I think I'd like to be hidden during the 2 week long transformation in a place such as under a log or buried in the ground. Though many individuals in many stages of development share this home, there is no apparent cannibalism going on. Don't be fooled, however, as these Beetles have mandibles powerful enough to chew through wooden fibers, so should they ever lack protein or carbohydrates, a juicy Superworm might be just the ticket!

Pictures were taken on December 19, 2023 with a Google Pixel 4. Please come and see the glorious insects of the Royal Ontario Museum if you can.

[shootingstarrfish]

Do you think beel would get along with bugs?

i think he absolutely would!!!

personally i think he would appreciate the way stick insects just vibe and chill out, but im sure he would enjoy or at least coexist with most bugs peacefully

[ethosiab]

Obssessed with this fuckign thing

[bugthingsdaily]

today's bug thing is this very hungry caterpillar bento box!

[alecz-obssesionz]

Yesterday, I fell in love. He's everything I could ask for...

[gearoxbutabox]

Doodles of various things I enjoy (and 1 requested fnf weekly doodle)