Adorabugs

I'm this big!

2011-11-08T05:10:00.001-08:00

Completely adorable!
I love inchworms and those who have an inflated self-esteem are over the top!
Check out this big guy! Streeeeeeetch....

He can lean precariously over the side too! Just imagine the strength required to hang onto that leaf.
I am super impressed. What a little big man! (or woman)

Lotsa Little Legs in my Apple

2011-10-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Last week we went apple picking in a nearby orchard. Whenever I go to these local orchards I feel as if I am ripping off the owners. Not only do we get boat loads of apples for practically nothing, not to mention the nine apples that were eaten while the three of us picked, we also get an eensy bit of protein tossed in for free.

Here's hoping Poopsie #1 checked this one for squiggles before using her mouth as an extra hand.

Rose Colored Glasses Make Everyone Pretty

2011-09-18T11:30:00.000-07:00

There she is, Miss Mothera...

photo by CTMom

Easily the prettiest bug to visit these parts in a while, meet the rosy maple moth (dryocampa rubicunda). I'm just going to say this specimen is a female because I'm tired of the males in the animal kingdom getting all the good looks. Plus, I read that the females have bushier antennae than the males and these antennae look rather bushy to me. So there! I am now finished with my diva rant on behalf of plain-lookin' females everywhere.

Hubba Hubba

2011-09-11T16:52:00.000-07:00

Hunks!I know how to find them. I am referring; of course, to this tomato hornwormand not the guy behind it because he’s my brother and calling him a hunk wouldbe gross. But really, everywhere I go I find the biggest, juiciest and mostbizarre bugs. Spotting them is kinda like my secret super power. I realizedover this past summer that I could be content if my only job was to travel theworld and take pictures of insects. If that were my actual job, I wouldcertainly post more blog entries. I think I have a year or more worth of bugpics to share.

When I first saw the tomato hornworm munching on my parent’s garden I thoughtit would most definitely metamorphosis into the most incredible moth. Unfortunately, no. The moth is quite plain and the grub is loathed by tomatogrowers everywhere. I’ll always have a place in my heart for you, you giantsquishy!

Not Bug Related but hey it's for Free Twilight Books

2008-11-21T06:42:00.000-08:00

Happy Twilight movie realease day! To celebrate visit this contest and win free books!!!

Sponsored by Bitten By Books

Boogie Bees

2008-10-17T05:20:00.000-07:00

I haven't blogged in forEVER. Sorry
I just popped in (I initially wrote "pooped in") to post this fabulous and ridiculous video. It's great, until the end. : <

Flutter for the shutter

2008-09-07T04:38:00.001-07:00

Just some new pics from my new camera! Now, if only my subjects would hold still.. I need to figure out how to adjust the shutter speed so I don't get blurry movement images.
Moth (yes, that lamp post is a popular hangout for neighborhood moths)

Black Swallowtail on the bush

Black Swallowtail's undercarriage.

Spiders

2008-09-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

They are everywhere...
In my basement, in my car, in my mailbox, in my coffee cup (seriously)...
This one (and the mini lady) are cute... esp when he/she does the balling up thing at the end.

This one... not so much.

You can read about it here.

The vid was made by a YouTube friend, Boobtubious. Check out his other stuff.. it's pretty entertaining.

Bug Fail

2008-08-01T05:43:00.001-07:00

Ok, I saw this first on FailBlog.. which is a site TOTALLY worth several hours of procrastination. Since it was bug related, I thought I would share it here too.

OMG! Hilarious!

New Species?

2008-07-26T13:05:00.001-07:00

I'm afraid you'll have to click the images to get a better view of these cool buggies.

Chimera #1
The wings of a butterfly
The body of a bee
The probuscus of a hummingbird
(very friendly)

Here is a picture of him/her staring at me.

OK, After some research I have concluded it is a Clearwing Sphinx.

Chimera #2
Mothlike fur
Batlike face and grasping thingies

Update 09-07 - I have concluded that this is a Noctuidae or Owlet Moth, possibly a Wood-Nymph(Eudryas grata)

And here is a pretty green moth

See something you like?

2008-07-02T05:46:00.000-07:00

Adorabug prints, photographed by me, are now available on Deviant Art and Red Bubble.
Check 'em out!

photo by CtMom

What a girl wants.... what a girl needs...

2008-06-29T15:35:00.000-07:00

...is a downy, fluffy place to rest her head.

photo by CtMom

See the difference my new camera makes?

Nummy, nummy

2008-06-04T10:02:00.000-07:00

Is this cute? Perhaps in a "my food is bigger than my body" kind of way...

-photo by Jennifer (who may further identify herself if she wishes)

It may not be adorable but it was submitted by a friend, so it gets a priority posting and it is a pretty cool thing to capture.

Cute as Bugs

2008-06-02T09:11:00.001-07:00

My kidlets talking about the lifecycle of butterflies.

Say Cheezzzzzzz

2008-05-28T16:08:00.000-07:00

Somebody in Cornwall managed to get a pic of a smiling bee.
Now, why would a bee be smiling? Maybe because it lives in matriarchal society?
Kidding.. bees just love pollen and are generally happy and adorable creatures.

you know... the bee kinda looks like it's ready to unleash an evil plan...
Read about the smiling buzzer here at the Daily Mail.

Sluggeriffic

2008-05-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

Treebeard?
Nah, It's just a bornella anguilla but I hear he is lookin' for a wife!

Visit National Geographic to see the rest. They are all interesting and most of them are adorable.

My new favorite word.

2008-05-13T10:52:00.000-07:00

"Nom" .... nuff said.

more cat pictures

Save them!

2008-05-07T10:36:00.000-07:00

The honey bees need some help! We depend on them for so much and they ask so little of us....
Haagen-Daaz Ice Cream created this beautiful and sad commercial. If you ever had a heart string in there for insects this video will tug it.

They also created this adorable site with info on how you can help. Honey Bee Crisis. We can all do little things like buy local honey and plant certain types of flowers. I'm going to add some more bee friendly plants to my flowerbed this year like lavender and violets. I would LOVE to have my own hives but sadly my husband is allergic to bees so that won't be happening.

Buzzzzzzzz Bzz Bzz Buzzzzzz!

And the winners are....

2008-05-07T05:12:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing the winner of the giveaway. I've been in the middle of finals and I am stressssssssssed!
But, I only have one final and a 25 page paper left to do now so I'm feeling a bit better.

The 1st place winner is BlaqueButterfly.
She'll be receiving some Fairie Made bath and body treats!

The second place winner is ihchicky. She will also receive a slighly smaller package of Fairie Made good stuff!

I also love EricaG's limerick but alas... it was not about bugs...

Anyhow, thanks for participating guys! I occationally hold contests on this blog and my personal blog (Cozytail's Procrastination Station) so check in from time to time.
I'll also start this contest sooner next year to give people more time to participate!

Limerick Contest and Giveaway!

2008-04-25T06:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for all those visiting from the freebie thingie!
I didn't read the rules at first, you know... so I didn't post a givewawy...

But now I've got it together. Be creative and have fun. All I require is a cute little limerick about adorable bugs. It can be about any of the bugs from any of the posts.
I will judge the entries on Friday May 2nd. First and second place winners will get something Faerie Made and fantastic... albeit probably small.
Just add your limerick in the comments below the post of your choice. I'll find them all and judge fairly. Maybe I'll inlist a panel of judges. Good Luck!!

Example of a bad limerick written by me:

There once was a cute little snailio.
Who didn't have a very long tailio.
He kept it nice and slimy.
On the back of his hiney.
He'd do well to stay out of jailio.

photo by CtMom

Example of Faerie Made products I've awarded in the past.

Caterpillar Tears

2008-02-09T04:39:00.000-08:00

Awwww... This really is so cute... and Japanese.

We had a similar situation here when husband made us wait and wait for the Wii and now there are none left. Waaaaaah....

Ugly Bug Ball

2008-02-04T07:57:00.000-08:00

Here is some footage from the Fall that I finally compiled for YouTube. Enjoy the commentary. My 3-year-old was under the idea that repetition was the key to getting attention.

Busy, busy

2008-02-01T09:25:00.000-08:00

I've been a bad blogger. My excuse? I've applied to grad school. I'm scheduled to start in Feb and I had a ton of crap to do and a horrid test to take.

So.. to keep you interested I'll post this fantastic work of art.
It's amber soap created by a fellow soap maker Squeaky Queen.

Be sure to browse all her soaps and other good stuff.

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T06:05:00.000-08:00

Doesn't this katydid kind of remind you of Baby New Year?

No?

Have a safe and fun night!

Found the pic here at Nature at Close Range.

All I want for Christmas...

2007-12-21T06:39:00.001-08:00

...is anything from this place, Michelle's Vintage Jewerly.

But these are my favorite.

I may not blog again until after Christmas. Have a great Holiday!!!!
CtMom

Just say no...

2007-12-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

I had always heard that when given a dose of LSD, a spider will create a perfectly symmetric web.
Here's some evidence to the contrary.

This video is worth watching even if spiders give you the heebie-jeebies or make you faint. I promise...

Bonus points if you see the restraining order.

I don't know if any spiders were harmed during the making of this short documentary.

Ant Art

2007-12-19T09:07:00.000-08:00

I appreciate many forms of art, however abstract images usually don't appeal to me. This artist in an exception. Check out his subject. Ants.
I am really thinking about getting some of these images for my kitchen but I would have to convince my husband first. I could tell him the art would complete the "Ants in the Kitchen" theme we've already got going on the counter, in the cat food, under the sink, etc...
Thoughts?

Check out his work here at AntPainter.com

The Insects Christmas

2007-12-18T07:08:00.000-08:00

There appears to be some debate on the origens of this short film. Russia, Germany, Poland?
It is a stop motion animation made by Ladislaw Starewicz in 1913 and it is hypnotic.
Enjoy!

According to Wikipedia "Ladislas Starevich (August 8, 1882 - February 26, 1965), born Władysław Starewicz, was a Polish, Russian and French stop-motion animator who used insects and animals as his protagonists."
Since live animals were difficult to work with, he often used dead animals as puppets. Weird but interesting.
Anyone with more information on the film, please feel free to comment.

Another Cute Bug Bebeh

2007-12-12T06:34:00.001-08:00

Check out this little twig bebeh.
He's all wobbly on his new stick legs..

Are We Getting Through?

2007-12-11T11:01:00.000-08:00

Apparently so. The blog of adorable insects is being read far and wide. We have a lot more of the map to fill in but I feel the message is being heard.
Thanks readers! And please... comment!

Mini Mantis

2007-12-11T08:05:00.000-08:00

I weel get you! I weel get you! I weel cross this valley of denim and you weel be gotten.

Fear me!

CtMom is afraid.. tough bebeh found on Wikipedia.

Mr. Darcy

2007-12-10T06:30:00.000-08:00

Colin Firth or Matthew MacFadyen...
We let the inch worm deeeecide.

Ermmmm...

Weeell....

And the weener:

Duh! Colin Firth

Found the cute bug on CuteOverload. Don't people know the cute bugs need to come to meeeeeee!?!?

Etsy Find

2007-12-09T16:23:00.000-08:00

Holiday gala at the Natural History Museum? You must get these!
They are bug cuff links.

Adorable!! Though.. they do look kind of unhappy.

Find them here...at the Tilly Bloom Etsy Store.

Silver Fish

2007-12-07T06:02:00.000-08:00

Why is this bug dressed as Santa?

Go to UglyOverload to find out.
It's totally worth it especially since their is a SONG that goes along with the pic!
But then come back!

Girls Night Out

2007-12-04T10:16:00.000-08:00

True Story:
I spent the weekend with the girls. We had a party crasher!

Just another one of the ladies!

Sad News:
The following morning we discovered the lady bug had been smashed and she didn't get that way from drinking Cabernet. :<

Photo by CtMom

How do you measure cuteness?

2007-11-28T03:50:00.000-08:00

With a ruler of course!

Check out this little hopper who is trying to prove he can jump as high as the big guys. Read the story behind the pic here.

I ate to much...

2007-11-26T05:00:00.000-08:00

Just like these bugs,

I'm stuffed.

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.

I found the stuffed mite here. Scan the pics until you find the Sad Mites. It's cute too in a pathetic metal mite kind of way.
The stuffed bedbug can be found here.

Focus on my beauty... and please

2007-11-13T07:09:00.000-08:00

...get a better camera.
Apologies:
1. Have been crazy busy and neglectful of blogs
2. Need a nicer friggin' camera to capture lovelies such as this guy/girl

Above is a fantastic photo of the rocks in my driveway. The blurry green and black string may be a Catalpa Sphinx.
Stay tuned! Soon I'll be posting some undulating caterpillar action in all its' cute glory.

Pic below is slightly less blurry but off center...

Photos by CtMom

Waaah #3

2007-11-02T05:25:00.001-07:00

Where do I find this stuff?
Youtube has a wealth of material...

You can read the translated lyrics but it still doesn't make any sense in the end. Seriously.. It's a song about a bug who bites bums.

Happy October

2007-10-25T07:28:00.001-07:00

People, I love Halloween!
Any and all halloween bugs submitted will be posted.

This pumpkin comes from here.

I got little tiny bug feet! I don't really know what bugs eat!

2007-10-24T11:08:00.000-07:00

The video is alright... the song is AWESOME!!!

People like the Lolbugs

2007-10-24T07:10:00.000-07:00

Who are they? I dunno. I see the stats.. I have readers. Even repeat readers.... and they come from all over the world. And.. they are not my mom and best friends. This one is for all the lurkers who read but don't comment. I'm as friendly as the bug below.

I found it here.

Waaaaaah? #2

2007-10-24T05:31:00.001-07:00

Chicken,
There are no words to describe... in English.

I Got Your Foliage Right Here

2007-10-18T10:33:00.000-07:00

Not expecting a big leaf show this year? Drought got you down? Check out this moth in all his leafy mimicking glory. (yes it's on the same lamppost where the luna was photographed)

Check out his cute autumn undercarraige. Sorry for the lousy focus... again.. I need a new camera...

Photos by CtMom

I'm not exactly sure what type of moth this is.. I'm looking now.

Ready for my Tiara...

2007-10-15T05:34:00.000-07:00

....cause I'm already wearing my blue shimmery gown.

Which way to the Homecoming Dance?

I have no idea what this bug is but he was spotted in the Shenandoah National Park. A beetle of some sort?

photo by CtMom

Windows to the Phony Soul

2007-10-12T05:30:00.000-07:00

Look at this faux face!
Can you tell what he's thinking? Can you read his thoughts or really feel the depth of his emotion? No, cause he's a faker. I've met plenty of these types.

"Look into my cater-eyes, one look and yur heeepnotized."

I found this picture here.

The Dragon Spy Who Loved Me

2007-10-11T07:22:00.000-07:00

Is it cute among insects? Not really.
Cute among spies? Definitely.

This is some spy gadgety thing that will be used somewhere somehow. I don't know nuthin. Read about Robobugs if you like.

Buggin' You

2007-10-10T13:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for bothering you but...

Lil' Stinker

2007-10-09T16:26:00.003-07:00

Life stinks, until you find a pink sippy cup full of Sprite.
Photo by CtMom

"How to get eeeen?"

Ok.. before anyone freaks. There wasn't really sprite in the sippy cup. It was water but Sprite just sounded better in the caption.

Trick or Treat

2007-10-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Wherz the Halloween partee? I'm all in my black and orange Mary Jane Peanut Butter Kiss getup and I ain't got no partee to go to!

Photo by CtMom, who needs a better camera.. (perhaps I should start a donation thingy...)
BTW: Legend says if the orange band is long, the winter will be mild. Whew! No wonder it's October and 92 degrees.

High Fashion

2007-10-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

Aww sweet Monarch caterpillar munchin' on some milkweed.
Watch out Martha and Paris! When I trade in my prison stripes, I'll be purtier than you!

This newly hatched Monarch butterfly and the above caterpillar were photographed at Gabrielle Acres. Check out check out the posh catercondo chrysali all lined up like luxury apartments.

It seems everyone has a sex tape..

2007-10-04T05:29:00.000-07:00

Not really rated R but still be warned....

video by NutCheese

Spider Spice

2007-10-02T16:15:00.000-07:00

Zigazigahhhh
If you wanna see this spider... you gotta get a super zoom lens.

Sorry for the microscopic garden spider pic. I couldn't risk getting closer by stepping into snake infested ivy.

Check out the spider's crafty zigzag web. This is typical garden spider web design. Isn't it great?
I would say this spider was about quarter sized.

photo by CtMom

Blush.. I made a poopy

2007-10-01T05:21:00.001-07:00

I've got to get the word out. Cute bugs need to come to my blog! This pic was posted on Cute Overload which is crazy popular and very selective. I once submitted a picture of my cat but he must not have met their stringent standards and rules for cuteness because he was never posted.
Check out Meg's witty caption for this pic on Cute Overload. Then come right back here!!!
Thanks

I'll Be Your Teddy Bear

2007-09-28T07:10:00.001-07:00

Hey bebeh,
I know you think my green wings are handsome. I know you're thinking I'm exotic and unique and you wish I could be by your side always. Did you know know I'm also all snuggly wuggly underneath? Check out my cute pink legs and fuzzy fluffy body. Sure the Lunesta might help you sleep but I'll keep you warm at night. Wanna snuggle?

Click the pics for a closer look.
Photos by CTmom

Accomplishments in Gastropoda

2007-09-27T14:50:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of my aquarium occupants. They are a happy family and very supportive of each others endeavors. Here, Sprinkle the Mystery Snail, climbs the fake fern for the first time. Swimmy the beta cheers him/her on. I'm not sure what was up Sam's butt that day.

eta: The kids named the fish and snail.

So Happy to Meet U

2007-09-27T04:44:00.000-07:00

Though the cuteness of my previous posts may have been debatable you can't deny the adorable in the following pictures.
Cindy from Bug Safari sent me these shots of a smiling katydid. Well.. I suppose since I forgot to put my contact info in the blog she didn't technically send the me the pics but she did give me permission to post them. Seriously.. This bug is SMILING! Enjoy!

Thanks Cindy!

I had the chance to get a similar photo yesterday when a katydid travelled up our kitchen window. He was not in the mood to be photographed however and refused to pause for a good shot.

Photo by CtMom

Javapede

2007-09-26T04:41:00.000-07:00

I have some crazy bugs living around and sometimes in my house. I have plenty of homegrown material for Adorabugs.
I frequently see these nutty millipedes crossing my driveway on their way from one patch of woods to the next. Why they cross, I just can't say.

Notice the cute head tilt as he politely asks for a sip of coffee. So sweet.

Waaaah?

2007-09-25T16:40:00.000-07:00

Now I've seen this all over the internet and in other blogs but I felt it had a home here. Though.. I'm not sure it's a bug. I really don't know what the frick it is but it sure is cute! However... if you're not lazy like me you can read up on it here at the National Geographic site!

Blair Stick Project

2007-09-25T13:21:00.000-07:00

I took this one myself. What's lacking in cute he/she more than makes up for in pose!

For comparison...

Insex?

2007-09-25T13:18:00.000-07:00

This one is almost to hot for the blog but I'll post anyways.
Warning: For imago audiences only.

Why Adorabugs?

2007-09-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

We all know that kittens, puppies and tiny tortoises draw the crowds. The enormous success of blogs such as Cute Overload and Kitten Wars have proven that people can't get enough of the cute. However, I feel one phylum of animalia have been sadly overlooked; Arthropoda. Though many loath these multi-legged creatures I suspect it's simply because they have never gotten close enough to see the true potential for cuteness. I hope to change that perception with this blog. Think of the cute bumble bee who couldn't be separated from your Coke. How about Jiminy Cricket? Even Cute Overload has posted an occasional cute insect. Remember the overreaching snail? “Ehn....” Alright, maybe snails aren't insects but I still think of them as bugs cause I can't help it. What about the baseball lovin' mantis?
I encourage all bug lovers to send me your bug pics and videos. Help me help adorabugs everywhere gain the respect they deserve as cutie pies!