Jesus Christ insects are scary... You scary nature!

[Zeze]

Because of their very short life cycle & sheer numbers, they mutate like mad and evolve into hyper-specialized species in a light speed compared to other organisms of earth.

Look at this sh*t... Orchid Mantis:

God damn.

LOOK AT THIS VIDEO OF CRAZY ASS WASP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xOBpvpDUyW8#t=1431

1. A species of caterpillars learned to exploit the ants by secreting similar ant-like pheromones. The motherfvcker even learned to make noises like ants.

2. The ants get fooled and nurture the caterpillar for good. The catepillars eventually turn into pupae. Months later, they complete metamorphosis and come out as a beautiful butterfly. Then they peace out.

3. BUT WAIT. You thought that was cool? There is a species of wasp that exploit the exploiter.

4. This motherfvcking kind of wasp swoop into the ants. The ants initially put up a fight, but then the wasp's special pheromone MIND-CONTROL these ants into a frenzy. The ants fight each other!

5. While the ants are busy with themselves, the wasp lays eggs INTO the caterpillars who think they're slick.

6. The eggs lie dormant inside the caterpillars. Both the wasp eggs and caterpillars enjoy the ants' hospitality. THIS IS SOME DEEP INCEPTION CRAY SHIET.

7. When they pupate, the wasp eggs know when to attack the insides. Instead of the butterfly coming out of the pupa, the motherfvcking wasp emerges.

Scary ass stuff. Good thing they're small.... imagine wasps releasing mind-maddening chemicals into our cities and lay eggs into our brains. D:

 

[Grimjak]

I think thats the most beautiful insect I've ever seen besides a ladybug.

 

[Murloc]

that's very cool stuff indeed.

 

[HN]

imagine being in a dimly lit room and looking down to see this little ah heck

 

[Zeze]

imagine being in a dimly lit room and looking down to see this little ah heck

Wooo.. it's like a mole + ant. I bet they're harmless if not beneficial to us.

Look at those awesome tunneling claws.... it's like us humans designed our tunneling drills after them.

I never understood Westerners freaking the FVCK OUT when they come across insects. Sheesh.

[edit]
Yup. Mole Cricket. Harmless of course.

 

[Red Storm]

I never understood Westerners freaking the FVCK OUT when they come across insects. Sheesh.

Didn't you create this thread? :hmm:

 

[Zeze]

Didn't you create this thread? :hmm:

I meant out of pure knee-jerk fear. "OMG A WASP" or "WTF IS THAT?"

I'm just marveled at their wonder.

 

[HN]

Wooo.. it's like a mole + ant. I bet they're harmless if not beneficial to us.

Look at those awesome tunneling claws.... it's like us humans designed our tunneling drills after them.

I never understood Westerners freaking the FVCK OUT when they come across insects. Sheesh.

[edit]
Yup. Mole Cricket. Harmless of course.

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

 

[Vdubchaos]

I see one huge mentis a year on my property. This year, for the first time, it was IN MY HOUSE. He sneaked thru the crack under the AC.

Put it in the shoebox and let it out outside. Cool little creatures.

Over the years, I've learned to accept these little creatures. Especially since Camping has become a big part of our life.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Because of their very short life cycle & sheer numbers, they mutate like mad and evolve into hyper-specialized species in a light speed compared to other organisms of earth.

Look at this sh*t... Orchid Mantis:

God damn.

LOOK AT THIS VIDEO OF CRAZY ASS WASP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=xOBpvpDUyW8#t=1431

1. A species of caterpillars learned to exploit the ants by secreting similar ant-like pheromones. The motherfvcker even learned to make noises like ants.

2. The ants get fooled and nurture the caterpillar for good. The catepillars eventually turn into pupae. Months later, they complete metamorphosis and come out as a beautiful butterfly. Then they peace out.

3. BUT WAIT. You thought that was cool? There is a species of wasp that exploit the exploiter.

4. This motherfvcking kind of wasp swoop into the ants. The ants initially put up a fight, but then the wasp's special pheromone MIND-CONTROL these ants into a frenzy. The ants fight each other!

5. While the ants are busy with themselves, the wasp lays eggs INTO the caterpillars who think they're slick.

6. The eggs lie dormant inside the caterpillars. Both the wasp eggs and caterpillars enjoy the ants' hospitality. THIS IS SOME DEEP INCEPTION CRAY SHIET.

7. When they pupate, the wasp eggs know when to attack the insides. Instead of the butterfly coming out of the pupa, the motherfvcking wasp emerges.

Scary ass stuff. Good thing they're small.... imagine wasps releasing mind-maddening chemicals into our cities and lay eggs into our brains. D:

The scariest insect-related shit that happened to me was when I woke up to a cockroach crawling on my nose. At first I thought my nose was just really itchy so I tried sleepily swiping it off, but it was still itchy. I only found out what it was when I woke up properly and realised it was moving round.

The scary part was when I realised I'd been sleeping with my mouth open.

 

[Grimjak]

my house is infested with fruit flies because roommates can't be arsed to take out the garbage and clean up their wine bottles.

 

[skyking]

another serious answer for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar. Stuff is cheap. Put a little in a plastic container, cover with plastic wrap, put a rubber band around it to keep it on. poke some small slices in the wrap.
The next day you will see dozens or hundreds of fruit flies in the vinegar.

 

[natto fire]

I have always been fascinated by the life near hydrothermal vents via chemosynthesis. quick video

 

[Pulsar]

my house is infested with fruit flies because roommates can't be arsed to take out the garbage and clean up their wine bottles.

Chop up fruit, peel bananas, put on cookie sheet.

Open oven, install cookie sheet, leave oven open overnight.

Next morning, close oven. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

Rinse, repeat. Throw cinnamon on apples and cook that if you want the house to smell good.

 

[JTsyo]

another serious answer for you.
Apple Cider Vinegar. Stuff is cheap. Put a little in a plastic container, cover with plastic wrap, put a rubber band around it to keep it on. poke some small slices in the wrap.
The next day you will see dozens or hundreds of fruit flies in the vinegar.

Vinegar + dish soap also works. The soap makes it so that they can't stand on the water, they'll drown.

 

[fralexandr]

Wooo.. it's like a mole + ant. I bet they're harmless if not beneficial to us.

Look at those awesome tunneling claws.... it's like us humans designed our tunneling drills after them.

I never understood Westerners freaking the FVCK OUT when they come across insects. Sheesh.

[edit]
Yup. Mole Cricket. Harmless of course.

close, but it's a jerusalem cricket
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerusalem_cricket

edit: ack HN already posted that :S.

There's a bunch of Ormia flies that prey on Gryllis crickets.
They specialize on cricket calls, so crickets risk getting parasitized when all they want is to reproduce .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ormia
In some populations of crickets as many as ~75% of individuals have parasites, If I remember correctly.

another somewhat interesting fact is that there are quite a few insects and spiders that mimic ants.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ant_mimicry

 

[dighn]

nature is scary. we should just all move into space and let all these nasty things duke it out on the ground (and then nuke the winner).

 

[skyking]

Vinegar + dish soap also works. The soap makes it so that they can't stand on the water, they'll drown.

I forgot the drop of soap.

 

[blackangst1]

I think thats the most beautiful insect I've ever seen besides a ladybug.

After looking through a couple pages on Bing images...this is by far the most beautiful insect Ive ever seen.