Author Archives: SciBugs

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About SciBugs

Entomologist, SciBugs everywhere on the internet.

Will That Bug Hurt Me?

Posted on May 26, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli We have to get something out of the way first. A lot of people use the word “poisonous” to mean “It hurt me more than just a bite and I could probably die”. However, “Poisonous” and “Venomous” … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Can Bugs Spit, Puke, or Do Both?

Posted on May 11, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli Simple answer is yes and yes! There’s a couple reasons why insects spit or vomit. The first is to protect itself. To help digest food. But lets look at some specific examples.

Posted in Behavior | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Which Bug Has World Domination?

Posted on May 7, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli There are a lot of bugs on the planet. We currently know of about one million species. Beetles alone make up ¹/₅ of all known species on earth! So if you were to name every species on your fingers, … Continue reading →

Posted in Ecology | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Collecting Tips – The Awkward Inbetween Steps

Posted on April 28, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli The internet is chock-full of advice for collecting and if you’re looking to build an insect collection but can’t take a formal class, there’s lots of available help. I myself, have a YouTube series dedicated to … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxonomy | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 42 Comments

What Do Bugs Do When It Rains?

Posted on April 20, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli It’s been raining here for the past week and a half. I feel like I should have invested in an ark instead of a new computer. And if you think I’m exaggerating (okay, but only slightly) we’ve gotten … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior, Physiology | Tagged , , , , , , | 10 Comments

Birds, Cows, Hens, and Bugs – Things the Ladybug is Not: Why Are Ladybugs Called Ladybugs?

Posted on April 9, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli One of the questions that I’ve seen on Twitter and on Instagram is why is the ladybug called a “ladybug” or a “ladybird” if you’re in the UK. These names are especially confusing because it’s obviously … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Taxonomy | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

Crouching Tiger … Fighting Mantis

Posted on March 26, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli I love this project because sometimes we get completely  random but interesting questions. Like where Mantis Kung Fu came from. Turns out there’s two distinct styles and many sub styles within them, so the answer is … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

The Daily Catch: Patience and Spring Traps

Posted on March 19, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli The other day I received an email from a former student about the persistence and strength demonstrated by praying mantises. Yes, she did say birds. It is pretty amazing when you think about how mantises can capture … Continue reading →

Posted in Behavior, Ecology, Physiology | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Unlikely Sisters – Roaches and Mantises

Posted on March 16, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli Cockroaches (Blattodea) and Mantises (Mantodea). They’re both insects. They’ve got their six legs, three segmented body parts, and a Johnston’s organ which guarantee them a spot in the class Insecta. But as it turns out, they’re more closely … Continue reading →

Posted in Taxonomy | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

Gardening and Beneficial Insects

Posted on March 2, 2015 by SciBugs

Written by Nancy Miorelli Spring’s right around the corner! Well, for those of us who aren’t heaped under mountains of snow. To kickstart spring, this month we’re going to post all about mantises! So shoot us your questions! Some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Ecology, Pollination | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments