chitin

Butterflies and moths go through a type of metamorphosis called holometamorphosis otherwise known as complete metamorphosis. There are other types known as hemimetamorphosis (incomplete metamorphosis) and  ametabolism (lack of metamorphosis)

Bees go through holometamorphosis like lepidopterans do. 

The developmental stages and growth period are different between the three castes of queen, drone or worker bee.  

You can watch a time-lapse video of worker bees from the day the egg is laid to 21 days later when they finally emerge as fully formed worker bees.

Snowberry Clearwing moth (Hemaris diffinis)

July 16, 2018

Southeastern Pennsylvania 

Lovely large ladies on the alpine mintbush! Both these insects are big, for bugs, and both are flightless, flashy coloured, and female.

On the right is the spotted mountain grasshopper (Monistria concinna), who’s delightful spots are an aposematic colouration warning of her toxicity. She’s grazing voraciously on the mintbush to build up weight before winter, where she won’t die like other alpine insects but rather, she will freeze solid, awaiting the thaw of spring to live and eat another year!

On the left, the flagship species of my lab, the mountain katydid (Acripeza reticulata), doing her deimatic display. She has lifted her wing cases to reveal her colourful, curled abdomen covered in foul tasting secretions, as well as inflating her orange throat patches. She too is eating the mintbush, possibly to sequester the toxins in its leaves for her defense, like the grasshopper does.

Mediterranean fruit fly (Ceratitis capitata)

The Mediterranean fruit fly is a species of fruit fly capable of causing extensive damage to a wide range of fruit crops. It is native to sub-Saharan Africa, but has spread invasively to many parts of the world, including Australasia and North and South America.

Hello friends! I’ve been asked how long do some insects live! This is an important factor when choosing a pet arthropod. They require as much commitment as a cat or a dog and you should not get a pet that you can’t see yourself caring for after a year. 

Please note that these are average numbers. Some species have sub species that can live longer or shorter lifespans. Obviously I cannot list every single subspecies, so it’s still up to you to look up the particular bug. I am giving out average estimates so you can make a decision if you are willing to spend that much time caring for a bug.

Remember, females tend to live longer than males.

SO! Let’s start off!

Short Lifespans

These species have rather short lifespans compared to other animals, rarely lasting a season or two. With care however, they can live a few months longer.

Mantids. - 9-12 months

Stick insects and Leaf insects - 1year

Jumping spiders - 10-12 months

Camel Spiders (Solifugae)  - 3 months (estimated)

Eastern Hercules beetle (adults) - 3 – 4 months

Please note that with Camel Spiders, it is currently unknown just how long they actually live for. This species does badly in captivity, and it’s unknown if they require some sort of unknown mineral or conditions required to have them thrive. They are perhaps one of the most sensitive species in the pet trade.

Intermediate Lifespans

These are arthropods that live a few years, much like pet mice and rats. In the wild they may only last a season or two, but in captivity with proper care, they can live well on an extra year or so.

Spiders - 1-3 years

Caterpillars/Moths/Butterflies - 1 year as larvae / 6 months -1 year as adults.

Hellgrammites/Dobsonfly larvae - 2-5 years as larvae / 1-2 weeks as adults

Assassin bugs - 1-2 years

Long Lifespans

These are species that live well up to a decade, which is quite old for little buggies. These are definitely insects that you must consider carefully before owning one, they require as much dedication as a rabbit.

Millipedes - 7-10 years

Blue Death Feigning Beetles - 7-8 years

Centipedes - 5-10 years

Whip spiders  -  8 years +

Ancient Lifespans

These species live well over a decade and beyond! Consider these like getting a dog or a cat!

Mealworms/Darkling beetles - 15 years

Female tarantulas - 20-40 years

Vinegaroon - Males - 10 years/Females - 20 years.

Arizona Desert hairy scorpion -  20 - 25 years

Helix pomatia snails - 15 - 25 years

Colony Lifespans

Colony insects thrive together and can reproduce like crazy. As long as you have the space and the food, the colonies can keep going for years and years. These are just the ages of how long an individual lives. Some of these species, like cockroaches, need buddies!

Ant Queens - 30 years / Workers - 1-3 years

Hissing cockroaches - 2-5 years

Death’s Head Cockroach - 1 year

Slugs - 1 - 3 years

Isopods/pill bugs/rolly pollies - 2-5 years

Honey Queen Bee - 2-4 years / Workers - weeks to months depending on climate.

Here’s the thing:

Taxonomy is tricky. Moths and butterflies make up the insect order Lepidoptera. But… just like technically wolves and coyotes are already dogs (canids = dogs-ish I guess?), butterflies are just a type of moth. A very, very small group of insects in a gigantic, humungous, incomprehensibly more diverse order of insects. Allow me to demonstrate.

POP QUIZ! QUICK! FIND THE MOTH!

Got it? Good. Here’s the answer key (NO PEEKING BEFORE SPOTTING IT YOURSELF!). 

From Left to right: TOP: Painted Lichen Moth, Moonseed Moth, Beautiful Tiger (moth), Grote’s Buckmoth (endangered) BOTTOM: Eubaphe unicolor (moth), Eight-spotted Forester (moth), Ailanthus Webworm Moth, Chickweed Geometer Moth

Wait… ALL OF THEM ARE MOTHS? Of course they are. There are so few butterflies in the giant sea of moths, it’s amazing you even notice them!

Okay, okay fine. That one was tricky (or was it?). Here’s another.

AGAIN! QUICK! FIND THE MOTH!

Easier this time, right? Let’s see how you did! (NO CHEATING)

From Left to Right: TOP: Checkered Skipper, Soldier Pansy, Funereal Duskywing, Dotted Checkerspot (endangered) BOTTOM: Texas Powdered Skipper, Tawny Emperor, Reakirt’s Blue, Fatal Metalmark

Wait… so which one is the moth? NONE OF THEM THESE ARE BUTTERFLIES. “What do you mean these are butterflies, they are boring?!” Shut up I love them. “But moths are supposed to be the boring ones!” Shut up moths are cooler than a T-rex with a mohawk riding a skateboard.

Moths are furry; Moths are smooth

Left: Southern Flannel Moth; Right: Carmenta ithacae (glass wing moths)- mating pair

Moths are large; Moths are small

Left: Cecropia Moth; Right: Banded Scythris Moth

Moths are Air; Moths are Water

Left: Eggplant Leafroller Moth, caterpillars live on plants; Right: Jalisco Petrophila Moth, caterpillars are aquatic and grow up in freshwater and the adult female moths will swim into the water to lay her eggs GUYS SHE IS A MOTH!!!!!! Also: they are jumping spider mimics! Look!

Moths are Elegant; Moths are Strange

Left: Wilson’s Wood-nymph Moth; Right: Dejongia californicus Plume Moth

Moths are Perfect; I Love Them

Left: Virginia Creeper Sphinx Moth; Right: Harrisina coracina