Fireworks & Beetles!

July 4th. is all about Independence for the American Colonies and the forming of the United States of America.  We celebrate this day with picnics, parades and fireworks.  The other night I watched fireworks from our neighbors and noticed a few fireflies and thought back to the days as a kid catching lightning bugs in a jar and watching them glow.  I also remembered helping my kids catch these interesting blinking bugs in our back yard.  I thought I knew quite a bit about these little insects, but decided to do a little extra research to post for this blog.  I was pleasantly surprised by what was posted by Purdue's Entomology website about this beneficial flying nocturnal insect. http://www.entm.purdue.edu/entomology/outreach/firefly/

SUPPORT A STATE INSECT FOR INDIANA

Insects constitute 80% of the world's animal species, and they are critical to the ecological balance of our earth. Insects are decomposers and recyclers, serve as pollinators of flowering plants and are an important food source for many animals. Insects have been used in song and poetry, For instance, the only insect-related song to top the popular music charts was "Glowworm." Sung by the Mills Brothers, this rewrite of a German folk song was a Number One hit in the 1950's.  Robert Frost wrote in his poem "Fireflies in the Garden": Here come real stars to fill the upper skies, And here on earth come emulating flies. James Whitcomb Riley states: "And fireflies like golden seeds are sown about the night."  We have a state tree (the tulip poplar), a state flower (the peony), and a state bird (the cardinal). Indiana should join 40 other states that recognize the contribution insects make to the quality of our lives by also having an official state insect.

Fireflies (also known as "lightning bugs") are widely recognized as beneficial and cool insects. A firefly would be an excellent representative of Indiana's natural wildlife heritage. In addition the lure of fireflies has been shared by many generations of Hoosiers.

The magic of cold, living light production by fireflies has fascinated scientists for years. Understanding the chemistry of firefly light has resulted in the life-saving glow sticks that duplicate the light production system of this insect. Luciferin and luciferase have also been used in medical research as cancer and multiple sclerosis.

A Special Firefly

The firefly proposed as the official Indiana State Insect is Pyractomena angulata (Say), also known as "Say's Firefly." It was named by Indiana's eminent naturalist, Thomas Say, in 1824. Say lived and worked in New Harmony in Posey County, and is considered the Father of American Entomology. By naming this particular species as the state insect, we are also honoring one of the great figures in Indiana history.  Purdue has presented a strong case for fireflies to become Indiana’s State Insect!

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The University of Kentucky website:

WHAT IS A LIGHTNINGBUG?

Like all beetles, Lightningbugs, also called Fireflies, have chewing mouthparts and hardened front wings (elytra) that meet in a straight line down the back of the abdomen when closed.  Most lightningbugs have glowing abdomens, but even the species that do not glow are easily recognized by their elongated bodies, distinctive black-and-orange colors, and their hood-like "pronotums."

All insects have a pronotum, the first plate on the top of the thorax, but lightningbugs have large pronotums which conceal the head when viewed from the top.  Lightningbugs are also unusual among beetles because their elytra, while more hardened than normal insect wings, are much softer than the elytra of most beetles.  Most lightningbug species are about 1/2-3/4" long, but some species are much smaller, at about 1/4". MYTHS - LEGENDS - FOLKLORE Because they are so noticable, lightningbugs have always been a part of human culture, and they have often been the subject of myth, legend, and folklore.  Europeans once believed that if a lightningbug flew in a window, a person would soon die.  The Chinese believed that lightningbugs were produced by burning grass.  Native Americans smeared glowing lightningbugs on their faces for decoration.  Japanese believed that fireflies represented the souls of the dead, an idea expressed in the animated movie, Grave of the Fireflies (1988).  There is also a novel called Fireflies (1970) by Shiva Naipaul.  In the book, a Trinidad man is fascinated by fireflies on his first trip to the countryside.

From the National Geographic Website: 

http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/firefly/

Fireflies are familiar insects that are actually beetles, nocturnal members of the family Lampyridae. There are about 2,000 firefly species. Fireflies love humid, moist regions of Asia and the Americas.

Many people don't know how the insects produce their signature glow. Fireflies have dedicated light organs that are located under their abdomens. The insects take in oxygen and, inside special cells, combine it with a substance called luciferin to produce light with almost no heat. Firefly light is usually intermittent, and flashes in patterns as an optical signal that attracts mates. Scientists are not sure how the insects regulate this process to turn their lights on and off. Firefly light may also serve as a defense mechanism that flashes a clear warning of the insect's unappetizing taste.

From Wikipedia:

The Lampyridae are a family of insects in the beetle order Coleoptera. They are winged beetles, and commonly called fireflies or lightning bugs for their conspicuous use of bioluminescence during twilight to attract mates or prey. Fireflies produce a "cold light", with no infrared or ultraviolet frequencies. This chemically produced light from the lower abdomen may be yellow, green, or pale red, with wavelengths from 510 to 670 nanometers.  Firefly luciferase is used in forensics, and the enzyme has medical uses — in particular, for detecting the presence of ATP or magnesium.

^{From NC State University Entomology website: http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/ent425/library/compendium/coleoptera.html} 

The name Coleoptera, derived from the Greek words "koleos" meaning sheath and "ptera" meaning wings, refers to the modified front wings which serve as protective covers for the membranous hind wings.

Coleoptera (beetles and weevils) is the largest order in the class Insecta.  As adults, most beetles have a hard, dense exoskeleton that covers and protects most of their body surface.  The front wings, known as elytra, are just as hard as the rest of the exoskeleton.  They fold down over the abdomen and serve as protective covers for the large, membranous hind wings.  At rest, both elytra meet along the middle of the back, forming a straight line that is probably the most distinctive characteristics of the order.  During flight, the elytra are held out to the sides of the body where they provide a certain amount of aerodynamic stability.

Now, you know a little more about this special beetle that can create its own fireworks.  After generations of Hoosier & Tri-State kids catching fireflies (or lightning bugs as we always called them) in jars, these little bugs may become Indiana’s State Insect.  Thinking back many years, give me a special glow for the memories of my childhood with the hopes and dreams of my youth.

Are Your Gutters Clean?

This spring I watched all of the winged seeds from my neighbor's huge Maple tree make their way into my yard and on my roof and the car.  They come twirling down into my back yard from the high up limbs to annoy me every year.  I really should not complain too much since the pine cones from our very tall White Pine mostly fall into that same neighbor’s front yard.  We both get lots of pine needles, too.

Usually after the seeds have fallen, I get out my extension ladder and spend a few hours cleaning out my gutters.  This year was different because it seemed to rain most days and when it did not rain, I was too busy to get at it.  I only work part-time now that I am “retired” which means I have time to do all of those other things I could not do when I worked full-time!  To make my point even clearer, I now have reached the time in my life when I have little “spare” or “extra” time to do things like gutters, trimming bushes and fixing things around the house like I did when I worked full-time!

When we got those hard rains last month, we noticed water was coming in from around one of the back basement windows.  I went out into the rain to see why this was happening and noticed that the water was running off the roof and over the gutters that were full of Maple seeds.  This was filling up the window wells around the basement windows.  The window had a leak around it somewhere.  It was raining hard and the forecast was rain for the next 3 or 4 days.  I needed a solution now, no matter how temporary.  I went to a hardware store and got a window well cover… they are nice and I needed one long before that day.  Problem solved for now!!!  Being the man of the house, I take a lot of pride when I manage to solve a situation like this one.  I showed my wife how clever I was and she reminded me that she told me we needed that cover about six years ago.  I did not let her remarks hold back my pride in a job well done.

That night it rained long and hard… no water in the basement.  However, the water from the roof was still running off over the gutters and now hitting the window well cover making a sound like a very loud drum.  Needless to say, but we did not get much sleep that night.  The next morning someone was insisting that I clean the gutters that day, no matter if it was raining or not.  In a light rain, I worked at cleaning out the gutters… I wanted to sleep, too!  And, that night we slept most of the night until the thunder woke up the dog and the barking and whining began.  Such is life!

Eventually, things were back to normal and we got some much needed sleep and peace.  Then I remembered that the basement window had leaked and needed repairing.  I decided that I would get the ACCA Waterproofing professionals to replace that old leaky window with a modern new window.  And next year the gutters will get cleaned earlier after the seeds stop falling, even if I have to hire someone to do it for me.

Are You Ready for the Invasion of the Summer Bugs?

Bugs are showing up more everyday!  It is a sign that summer is here.  Flies, mosquitoes and wasps are some of the most annoying summer bugs.  Spiders build their webs in the doorway all summer long.  Those webs that we walk into everyday that seem to stick all over our head are actually beneficial since the spider is catching flying insects that are trying to get into our homes.  I would prefer to call in professionals like the ones at ACCA Pest Control (812-479-8905) to get rid of the flying insects and the spiders!

ACCA is getting more complaints about ants parading into kitchens and bathrooms.  Those pesty ants come marching in like they own the place.  The people who study these types of things, state that ant trails can come as far away as four miles!  A colony of ants usually have at least 100,000 members.  Some colonies have a million or more ants.  If those numbers are not bad enough, there are many colonies in our yards... and our neighbors' yards!!!  ACCA will fight these ants for you, give them a call to send out a fully trained, experienced ant terminator.

Have you heard all of the chirping and singing of the 13-year cicadas as you drive along in southwest Indiana?  They are a reddish colored good-sized insect that invades foliage in fields and woods.  Soon, the large cicada killer wasps will emerge to capture cicadas.  We already have seen many carpenter bees drilling into wood.  These black with yellow backs look like large bumble bees and can do lots of damage to wooden decks, fences and sides of buildings.

All of this talking about bugs can be an unhappy experience for many people.  Call the ACCA Professionals to develop a plan to eliminate or drastically reduce any and all of these pest problems - you will be glad you called.

What Happens When the Snow Melts?

Snow can really cause mobility and safety problems.  It can be very serious when we are trying to drive on slippery roads… just walking outside can cause us to fall and injure ourselves.  ACCA Companies urges everyone to slow down and be patient with others on snow and ice covered roads.  When we get into a hurry to get somewhere, make sure it is not the hospital or the cemetery!

Most of us cannot wait for all of the snow to just melt away.  However, with lots of snow, we will get lots of water from the melted snow.  This excess water saturates the ground around building foundations often finding ways to get into our crawl spaces or basements.  This water can cause a great amount of damage to items in the basement, mold, structural or other building materials.

When the snow disappears is when it can cause the most problems!  Give ACCA Waterproofing team of professionals a call to solve any water leaks or other moisture problems.  Call us at 812-479-8905.

HORT ALERT: 12-12-2014 Emerald Ash Borer found in Warrick County

[The following Hort Alert was issued on 12 Dec 2014 and posted here by ACCA Companies for the benefit of protecting ash trees in the tri-state area - JGW]

Hort Alert by Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator

Purdue Extension Service, Vanderburgh County

13301 Darmstadt Rd.

Evansville, IN  47725  Ph:  812-435-5287 -or- 812-867-4935

Email:  LCaplan@purdue.edu

http://www.ag.purdue.edu/counties/vanderburgh/

Released by Purdue Extension Service, Vanderburgh County Extension Horticulture Educator, Larry Caplan on 12 Dec 2014:

Emerald ash borer (EAB), an invasive insect that kills ash trees has been detected for the first time in Warrick, Jennings, Pike, Scott, Spencer, and Sullivan counties. 

Purple panel traps used to detect the pest captured EAB adults in Pike, Spencer, Sullivan and Warrick counties.

Of Indiana’s 92 counties, 79 have now detected EAB.

Moving firewood spreads forest pests. The Indiana EAB quarantine regulates the movement of certain materials such as whole ash trees, ash limbs, untreated ash lumber with the bark attached, and cut firewood of any hardwood species with the bark attached.

With EAB detections in these new counties, the effectiveness of the quarantine is being evaluated. A decision will be announced in the new year as to whether the county-level quarantine will continue.

Visitors to DNR properties may only bring in firewood if it is certified by the USDA or DNR Division of Entomology & Plant Pathology, or is free of bark. 

For more information on EAB, or to report an infestation, visit eabindiana.info or call Indiana DNR's toll-free hotline at 1-866-NO EXOTIC (663-9684). To view the EAB Rule and EAB quarantine declaration visit dnr.IN.gov/entomolo/3443.htm.

   This map shows the recent discovery of EAB in Folsomville, IN, which is in Warrick County.

I will be providing detailed information on protecting high value landscape ash trees in late winter/early spring.  However, if you want to start reading up on it, you might want to download “Insect Options for Protecting Ash Trees from Emerald Ash Borer”: http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/EAB/pdf/NC-IPM.pdf .

[Hort Alert is a free service from the Purdue Extension Service of Vanderburgh County.  Your name and email will never be shared with anyone else.]

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Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator

Purdue Extension Service, Vanderburgh County

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Take a look at our web site to learn why we are ahead of our competitors!  Click here to go directly to our web site:  http://www.accabasements.com/

Just how big can an insect get?

Have you ever wondered how big can some insects become?  We all have seen some really big insects.  But which ones are really big?  Here is a List of largest insects From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  



The longest insects are the stick insects with one specimen held in the Natural History Museum in London measuring 567 mm (22.3 in) in total length.  The beetles (Coleoptera) are the largest order of organisms on earth, with about 350,000 species so far identified.

The most massive species are the Goliathus, Megasoma, and Titanus beetles. The longest species is the Hercules beetle, Dynastes hercules, with a maximum overall length of at least 17 cm (7 in) including the very long pronotal horn.

Praying mantises (Mantodea) with the largest species of this order being the African mantis. The females of this species can attain a length of up to 12 in. Reports of scientists discovering an unidentified species of mantis in southern China in the 1920s of 18 inches (45 cm.) are unconfirmed. Some larger species have been known to capture and consume frogs, lizards, mice, small birds, and even snakes.

Representatives of the extinct dragonfly-like order Meganisoptera such as the Carboniferous Meganeura monyi and the Permian Meganeuropsis permiana are the largest insect species ever known. These creatures had a wingspan of some 75 cm (30 in) and an estimated body weight of over 1 lb (450 g), making them about the size of a crow. This was one big insect!!!

10 Biggest Bugs on Earth  from howstuffworks.com

Appreciation for nature is easy when it comes to the cute, the little, the non-threatening creatures...but what about the massive insects and arachnids on these pages, many of which are endangered or threatened: How would you feel facing down a spider the size of a dinner plate or an 8-inch-long beetle? Giant Weta New Zealand's giant weta gets its name from the Maori word for "god of bad looks" -- and it's not hard to see why. The giant weta could hardly be called pretty but it has a fascinating history: Scientists believe this species shared its land with dinosaurs, and had no local predators until European settlers introduced rats to the island. Though there are more than 70 weta species on the island, 16 of them are endangered or threatened, and the country's Department of Conservation is hard at work trying to save them. The giant weta is one of the world's heaviest insects: They can grow as long as three inches and weigh up to 1.5 ounces -- check out the tomato in the background for a size comparison.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Stag Beetle The three-inch-long male stag beetle may be most easily recognized by its spiky front antlers -- also known as mandibles -- which are a key part of courtship rituals and wrestling matches; you'd have more to fear from the slightly smaller females, though, which don't have the giant spikes but do have a more fearsome bite. The beetles thrive on dead wood, but its numbers appear to be dwindling: Researchers point to the long maturation time -- 4 years from larvae to adult -- and "the over-zealous tidying of dead timber and stumps," according to ARKive.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Goliath Beetle It's hard to get a real sense of how massive the Goliath beetle is from this picture, although the smaller bugs around it can help with the scale. These beetles are just one member of the 30,000-strong scarab family, which has roamed the Earth for 300 million years, and reportedly holds the record for world's heaviest insect: One topped out at 4.5 inches long and 3.5 ounces.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Giant Walking Stick Not all giant bugs are outfitted with terrifyingly sharp jaws and a suit of external armor: The giant walking stick looks practically dainty next to these plus-sized beetles. Or at least, it would look that way if you could spot it -- these insects are some of the most successful hiders in the world, with bodies that very closely match the trees and branches where they live. Female walking sticks are often larger than the males, and have been known to reach as long as 21 inches when measured from toe to toe. You'll find them almost worldwide, in tropical regions and some temperate zones, where they take shelter under plants during the day and feast on leaves at night.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Queen Alexandra Birdwing Butterfly When it comes to insects, butterflies are the kind many find beautiful on a grand scale -- which is a good thing for the Queen Alexandra Birdwing, because their wingspan can reach as much as one foot across. The brightly colored males and more subdued females are found in rainforests and are native to New Guinea, but habitat destruction has left them endangered. Their diet -- they thrive on pipeline plant, which is poisonous to most other creatures -- adds to their allure.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Titan Beetle The Latin name of this beetle pretty much says it all: Titanus giganteus. Not only is it big for a beetle -- it's the most massive member of its species, longhorn beetles, and the longest beetle found so far in the Amazon rainforest -- it's just plain huge, with adults reaching as long as 8 inches in length. That's longer than some Chihuahuas, the Natural History Museum points out, to put this length in perspective. Wikipedia claims that the larvae of the titan beetle have never been seen in person, but that "boreholes thought to be created by titan beetle larvae seem to fit a grub over two inches wide and perhaps as much as one foot long."(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Dung Beetle Though the dung beetle doesn't have the size advantage of some of the other beetles and bugs on this list, it overpowers them in one key weigh: It's gifted with Hulk-type strength. While larger animals can carry more weight overall, they can't carry as much proportional weight; the dung beetle can move items with a mass that's 1,141 times heavier than itself. (To borrow an example, this would the equivalent of a human pulling 180,000 pounds, or "six full double-decker buses"). But why are they so strong? Researchers explained that males need to be tough enough to fight off rivals who would try to pull them out of the holes they go into in order to mate with females.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Giant Water Bug It's not unusual for water bugs to be mistaken for cockroaches -- but at four inches long, the giant water bugs are noticeably bigger. These bugs thrive near slow-moving water where they can eat tadpoles and small fish (and survive on crickets when in captivity). The small, round sacs on the back of this male water bug are eggs; the female water bug lays them on his back, secreting a gluey liquid to attach them, and the male carries them until they hatch.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Atlas Moth The Atlas moth, so called for either the mythological Greek giant of the same name or the wing patterns that look like maps, has the biggest wing surface of the moth family (many have more than 62 square inches of wing, though they don't have the widest wingspan). The Atlas lives primarily in Southeast Asia, where residents rely on its silk. Instead of spinning one endless strand, the moth's silk comes out in broken pieces, but it's also considered a sturdier substance.(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)

Goliath Bird-Eating Spider We'll expand the category of "bug" to include this massive arachnid, the Goliath bird-eating spider, which -- though it's the size of a dinner plate -- is relatively harmless to humans. But it's not so harmless if you're a frog, lizard, small snake, or -- yes -- baby bird: The toothless spider incapacitates its victim by using the venom in its fangs, and then spits digestive juices onto the prey so that it can "slurp up its meal," says Extreme Science. "All that's left when the spider has finished its meal is bones, skin, fur, and/or feathers." More astounding Animal Planet pictures(Wikipedia Commons Bach/Corbis PhotoObjects)