“Stink.” It’s the kind of word that makes people cringe. Beyond its primary definition of “having a strong, unpleasant odor,” it also can be used to indicate a fuss or uproar—”raising a stink”—as well as opine that something is lousy, as in an idea or situation that stinks. “Bug.” Here’s another word that can make
Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, Bug, Insect, Stink Bug
“Whoops!” That one-word exclamation was all I could muster when I realized what I’d done. The mistake, though small by human measures, was of great magnitude for my young charges—a whole bunch of bouncing baby eastern lubber grasshoppers. Over the past few days I’d seen them through eclosion—the fancy word for hatching—and had watched protectively
Ambush Bug, Bug, Insect
October 14, 2016 Ants on the Move Even though temperatures this fall have been mild, seasonal changes are occurring all around us. The increasingly shorter day lengths have leaves turning color, and asters and goldenrods going to seed. Anywhere you see trees you’ll likely also see branches aflutter with migrating birds while, on the ground,
Ants, Bug, Colony, Insect
I bumped into an old friend the other day as I was walking along Second Street in Geneva. It had been awhile since we’d last met, which was all the more reason, I thought, to stop and get reacquainted with—and to introduce others to–this little, and little-known, neighbor. Meet Sandalus spp., a member of an
Bug, Cicada, Insect
Farmers—those with livestock in particular—have a saying: Some days you step in it, some days you don’t. Today, as summer wanes, I’d like you all to remember that phrase and take it to heart. Because there’s a seasonal form of unpleasantness out there, and the last thing I’d want to hear is that someone has
Insect, Wasps, YellowjacketsAugust 5, 2016 Dragonflies & Damselflies It’s been said, by more than one starry-eyed romantic, on more than one occasion, that love makes the world go ’round. After much research, and thorough observation, I’m about ready to agree—but with one tiny caveat. Rather than ’round, I’d say the world actually goes round—no apostrophe needed. Because
Bug, Dragonfly, Insect
It’s been said, by more than one starry-eyed romantic, on more than one occasion, that love makes the world go ’round. After much research, and thorough observation, I’m about ready to agree—but with one tiny caveat. Rather than ’round, I’d say the world actually goes round—no apostrophe needed. Because rather than a preposition, I’m talking
Bug, Damselflies, Dragonflies, Insect
Last week we took a Good-Natured look at fireflies, those flashy stars that light up our warm summer nights. We talked about their life cycle, how to tell males from females, and mentioned a few of the more common species that can be found in our area. But what we didn’t touch upon–in fact, what
Bug, Diurnal Firefly, Firefly, Insect
For the past three weeks or so—since 5:34 p.m. on Monday June 20– it’s officially been summer. Unofficially, it’s also firefly mating season, a last hurrah for these insects that have spent most of the last year or two under rocks and logs, living as predacious larvae that feed on earthworms, slugs and other invertebrates.
Bug, Firefly, Insect
I would imagine most of us, if asked, would admit to owning something we deem lucky. It might be a classic good-luck charm, like a horseshoe, a rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover. Me? I have a lucky shirt. When I bought it, over 15 years ago at an Eddie Bauer store in Rockford, I
Butterfly, Hackberry Emperor, Insect