You may have heard of the insects known as “blister beetles.” Like so many insects, blister beetles produce a substance that has defensive purposes. This substance is very bitter to the taste. Researchers believe that this bitter substance, called cantharidin,…
Anybody who lives in the Southeastern region of the United States is definitely acquainted with the humming sounds of numerous cicadas. Some find their humming to be relaxing; while others cannot tolerate the sounds they make. Typically cicadas are supposed…
It is that time of year again when people become excited about locating and photographing the strange looking wooly bear caterpillars. These caterpillars are popular among bug enthusiasts and average joes alike because, according to folklore, these fuzzy caterpillars can…
Crape myrtles are nice looking ornamental flowering plants that form a big part of how many people picture the beautiful landscapes that can be seen in the Southeastern United States. These flowers are planted both privately and commercially for their…
A recent study on voles revealed that when one vole is distressed, other voles will immediately begin to console their stressed buddy for a good ten minutes. This leads scientists to argue that this is a sign that animals, or…
Raccoons don’t normally come to mind when I think of animals people keep as pets, but apparently a number of people out there think that having a raccoon for a pet would be fun. Let me stop you right where…
Lyme disease causes a near perpetual flu-like state with varying degrees of severity, so it is tragic when we hear about people becoming infected with this disease. However, it is nice to know that the ticks responsible for spreading Lyme…
Everyone has been told repeatedly by experts that spiders cannot cause death, except in very rare circumstances. That may very well be true, but the fact is, people do indeed die in response to spider bites, even if the spider…
Anyone who is into gardening as a hobby is also likely to know a bit about bugs. Insect pests can ruin a gardener's day, and one of the most damaging culprits has to be the chafer beetle. The chafer beetle…
It seems like common sense that spiders and insects will attempt to enter your home during the colder months if they don't want to freeze to death. However, house spiders are usually not the same types of spiders that you…
