#september2022

bittersweet blues

Grapevine Beetle - Pelidnota punctata

My mother found this delectable insect in the front yard last year (Pictures 3 and 5), and seeing it again reminded me that I still have a few pictures from the year 2022 to share as well. Even though I've only seen this insect once before, I'm drawn to it and it's berry-like form. Among the large-sized Beetles, it's definitely one of the cuter specimens being smooth and rounded. Such as it is when you're a Chafer Beetle and you need to support that armored body with a steady diet of leaves. Within both image sets here, the individuals photographed did seem to be eating vine-based plants that are likely not true grapes, but could very well be in the Vitus genus, but I cannot confirm at the moment as I am not a botanist. What I can confirm is this is indeed a Grapevine Beetle and not any of the few look-a-like insects that could be confused with it. One such insect that seems to pop up in that discussion is the Goldsmith Beetle (Cotalpa lanigera), an iridescent fellow Scarab that may be mistaken for the Grapevine's yellow-colored individuals that lack spots and have brown-colored legs. A quick but detailed examination between the two should be enough to discern them where their habitat ranges overlap. Having detailed a lot of this Beetle's behaviors and preferences in its first post on this blog, I'd like to draw your attention to some physical characteristics for the second half of this post.

In particular, I'd like to focus on this Beetle's legs. Insects and legs go hand-in-hand given they have 6 of them and they come in many shapes and sizes all suited for different adaptations. As such, unless they are unusually different (e.g. Mantis raptorial forearms) they can be taken for granted. However, since the legs of this specie are distinctive to its subfamily (Rutelinae - the Shining Cafers). The Scarabs within that subfamily have tarsal claws (the foot claws) that are independently moveable and are unequal in size (one is slightly thicker and larger). Compare this to other Scarabs such as Rhino Beetles that have 2 fixed claws on their tarsus. For the Grapevine Beetle these claws are very prominent (see Pictures 3 and 7) and may offer an advantage for climbing and grasping when navigating vines. Moreover, there are modifications made to the tibiae, which are thickened and lined with bumpy protrusions. There is also a long spike at the end near the leg. These features (when compared against other Beetles) may help make digging easier which could benefit how easier this Beetle can have a suitable egg-laying site ready.

Bryce and Olivia are the most adorable, fluffiest, precious babies there ever were. Look at how gorgeous @weetlebeetle captured them in her new style!! I am as in love with this art as they are with each other (which is to say A LOT)!!! 😍😍😍🥰🥰🥰❤️❤️❤️

Hello and welcome to September’s Sherlock Challenge! Apologies for the delay - thank you for your patience :) The prompt for this month is flag.

Have fun! Before you start please read the rules & FAQ - you can find them at the top of the page or here.

Reblog for signal boost and don’t forget to invite your favourite artists and writers to take part :) If you enjoy the challenges, please consider leaving a small tip via the ‘buy me coffee’ button - thank you <3

(Remember you can still enter the previous challenges as there are no deadlines. Also, if you have an idea for a future prompt, the askbox is always open and waiting - see FAQ for details)

I know I haven't been posting as much and I haven't been replying to messages. Unfortunately, life has been quite hectic and overwhelming so far this month. I feel like I don't even have time to catch my breath. I usually only have a few minutes to check tumblr/social media at the end of the day and I'm so utterly exhausted I don't even have the energy to reply or interact. I am hoping that maybe things will calm down soon (I don't think so, but I'm trying to be hopeful)!

I miss tumblr and everyone! I hope you are all doing well. Please keep sending me messages and tagging me in things! I will reply when I can.

I do give priority to @choicesmonthlychallenge and @choicesfandomappreciation since people expect to have answers more quickly there.

Thank you for all the love and support. I hope to get back to writing soon! In the mean time I'll keep making little edits here and there.

What I Love About You Today

[All Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer Masterlists] [Red Carpet Diaries]

Thank you to the lovely @jerzwriter for sending me an ask with this template. I absolutely loved this ask, it was such a cute and creative prompt. I want to do it for all my main pairings, so I'll post the ask when I've gotten a chance to do more of these and can link them all back in one place. (Thanks again for thinking of me 💛💛💛)

Alex adores these notes mostly because she knows Thomas doesn't understand why she insists they do them, but he does them regardless because he loves her and it makes her smile every time.