Bugs, bugs, bugs! They’re everywhere – in your yard, in your house (at least occasionally), even in your Jira configurations and software! Insect bugs and software bugs can be a source of fascination and an interesting challenge, or they can wreak a lot of havoc and just ruin your day, right? Well, I prefer to focus on their more positive aspects, and thought I’d share some bugs I’ve discovered since I moved to New Mexico, USA!
Cat-faced Orb Weavers – We have these under the eaves of our house during summer and fall – their abdomen really does look like a cat face! The female seems to stay near the same location where she was born, weaving a small web that grows in size and complexity as she grows into an adult. She lays her eggs near the web and then dies. When the eggs hatch, there are dozens to a few hundred baby orb weavers walking in her web, many of which get blown to other parts of the area where they begin their lives.
Assassin bugs – These little guys are nasty! They hunt in plants and foliage for other insects, then quickly attack and kill them in pretty horrific ways, hence their name. They’re beautiful to look at and are extremely efficient hunters, but can give an unforgettably painful bite with their single fang.
Vinegaroons – Also known as whip-tail scorpions, they’re actually spiders that look like scorpions but have no stinger and instead of using venom when irritated, they spray acid from their abdomens. I’ve only seen one “live”, and that was enough for me!
Tarantulas & Tarantula Hawk Wasps – These gently, hairy spiders are most often seen in August when the males emerge from the ground and go in search of a mate. Here’s a photo I took of one crossing our yard last month. Unfortunately, our state insect likes them a lot. It's so named because it preys on tarantulas which are about eight times its own size. It tends to leave humans alone, and that’s a good thing because it's said to have one of the most painful stings of any insect on the planet.
Swallowtails – We have a lot of different swallowtails, all beautiful! I took this photo at my favorite brewery after they’d watered the plants, not sure what kind it is.
So what are the coolest, weirdest, or most beautiful bugs you’ve encountered, where did you see them, and why do they “bug” you (good or bad)? Maybe you have a funny or scary story, or a great photo of an intriguing little friend? Please share!
