Entomology Diary's

We have added a new link to one of our Favorite Web Sites today.  Entomology Diary  Is the Web Site of Matt Simon.  I call him Doctor Matt and have relied on his help and assistance over the last few years in identifing various insects I've discoverd while living in Northern Flordia and Chiang Mai, Thailand.  If you have an interest in Entomology I highly recommend that you visit Dr Matt's site.   Here are a few of the Insect's Matt Simon has researched for me.

This is a type of Grasshopper found in Thailand
species is probably
Atractomorpha

According to Dr Matt this is a superb photograph of an atlas moth (Attacus atlas, in the moth family Saturniidae). It is, I am told, the world's largest moth, with a wingspan of up to 8 inches. The species occurs in much of southeast Asia, from lowlands to highlands. The adults live only briefly - just long enough to breed. After hatching from their eggs, the caterpillars eat a variety of plants.

The species is Pterophylla camellifolia, the common "true" katydid,and it occurs widely throughout much of eastern North America. From the small size of its wings, this
 specimen is immature; the adults have much larger wings, camouflaged like green leaves, that cover the whole of the abdomen.The species is seldom seen because it lives in the
tree canopy,but individuals sometimes drop to the ground.An excellent fact sheet on this species is published by the University of Arkansas Here

 This is a millipede - a splendid specimen too. It looks as if it belongs to either the order Spirobolida or the order Julida, both of which have that characteristic rounded body. Like most millipedes, it probably eats decaying plant material in leaf-litter or soil. Also, like most millipedes, when threatened by an attacker it may ooze a smelly defensive secretion from glands along both sides of the body.

Centipedes have fewer legs and flatter bodies than millipedes, and move much faster when disturbed. Also, by contrast with the vegetarian millipedes, centipedes are all predators that subdue prey with venom injected from modified limbs just behind the head (so you have to watch out for the sharp end).

Millipede.  

Caterpillar.  Species under investigation.  Care to venture an opinion?

Caterpillar.  Species under investigation. Care to venture an opinion?