Bug of the month

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Last month, it was June bugs and Black Widows.

For July, the Palo Verde beetles are now out and swarming about. Buggers are hard to kill.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palo_Verde_Beetle

-AK2DM

[altenbach]

Are they edible?

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

According to one of my co-workers who is somewhat of a survivalist type, YES, they are indeed edible and loaded with protein.

Watch out for the 1cm long pincers if ingesting them live, though.

-AK2DM

[muks]

Protein?????????? you are not serious. R u?

[altenbach]

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muks wrote:
Protein?????????? you are not serious. R u?

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Look at the "insects" section of the typhoon restaurant menu here in Santa Monica. 😄

[muks]

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FROGS' LEGS
deep-fried thai style, cilantro sauce

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I thought we could sue the restaurant If you find an insect in your bugger. Seems like u need to pay extra.

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Local bug of the month for August is the Carpenter bee. This poor fellow succumbed to natural causes and is a bit dried out, he was over 1.25" long. Luckily they are not aggressive and have buzzed my head/face a couple times and then go on their way. Sometimes they will see their own reflection in the window glass and then hit the window (quite loudly) in an attempt to drive off the 'intruding' bee.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpenter_bee

-AK2DM

[altenbach]

That's one of these bugs that defy all laws of aerodynamics. How can they possibly fly? 😮

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

They do fly indeed, albeit slowly and not so gracefully. You can hear their 'buzz' from over 15 feet away- it takes quite a bit of wing flapping to keep them airborne.

When alive and not dried out, their abdomen is larger than a marble!

Most people are quite afraid of them, but once you get to know about them you realize they are no threat.

(edit) And I am not sure if they are edible.....

-AK2DM

Message Edited by AnalogKid2DigitalMan on 08-07-2009 09:12 AM

[AnalogKid2DigitalMan]

Septembers local bug of the month is the Tarantula Hawk. These guys like to feed on the sap of our desert milkweeks. Despite their looks, this specimen is nearly 2" long, they don't bother you if you stand still while nearby. They do have a penchant for Tarantuls, read the Wiki link to see just how evil they can be. Their sting is one of the most painful in the insect world, stinger is over a quarter inch long. 😞

I would not eat one, Thank You.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tarantula_hawk

-AK2DM

Edit: I forgot to mention the 2nd bug in the picture that appears to be coming out of wasps posterior does not count, there is no CAR filed for him.

Message Edited by AnalogKid2DigitalMan on 08-31-2009 12:35 PM