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July 13, 2008
Winning the war against nature?
The other day I saw a Japanese beetle whooping it up on a magnolia blossom in my yard. Well, at least it was up to something; as you can see its hind legs were spread:
I didn't give it much thought. But last night, a large, strikingly atttractive beetle was firmly attached to the screen on my front door.
I'd never seen one like that before, so I looked for pictures of Pennsylvania beetles until I found an exact match here. According to the picture, Japanese beetles love to perform unnatural acts on them:
Explanation: Apparently, six male japanese beetles are absolutely sure she's a really big female japanese beetle. I think they are sadly mistaken (doesn't seem to be slowing them down any).The male Japanese beetles certainly seem to be into something they like. Would be anthropomorphic to call it an "orgy"? Is it unnatural? It might be "unnatural" in the sense that different species are not supposed to be mating with each other! Not only is transspecies intercourse immoral, but no baby grubs will result! So why would they behave that way? I suspect an immoral climate -- brought on by the immoral anthropogenic activities of humans. What could be more unnatural than human activities? Aren't we by definition the antithesis of nature? (Parenthetically, homosexual behavior has been documented in Japanese beetles, and it is linked to "environmental and social conditions," especially size. Female Japanese beetles are larger, and apparently size is the only way males can recognize another beetle as female, so larger males are targeted by smaller males for sexual intercourse. Might this size factor explain the sexual fascination displayed for the larger beetle?) It turns out that the beetle on my door is a Grapevine beetle -- Pelidnota punctata -- a member of the Scarab beetle clan. Also known as the shining leaf chafer and the copper June beetle, they like lights at night, which explains why it was clinging to the screen door. Clinging for hours, I might add. It was there when I went to bed, and yet it was all alone. On a Saturday night! Considering that my yard has both Japanese beetles and at least one Grapevine beetle, why was there no trans-species beetle orgy? Such things only seem to happen in other peoples' yards. Should I be jealous? Or might the beetle on my door have been seeking refuge after being unnaturally victimized by the Japanese beetle hordes? Whatever was happening, I suspect an immoral climate! posted by Eric on 07.13.08 at 10:30 AM
Comments
Clinging for hours, I might add. Bugs' loitering capacity is amazing. I've had a huge black moth perched in the same spot on one of my fashionably exposed heating conduits for almost two days. The only reason I think he's not dead is because he was in a different spot two days ago (for at least 12 hours), jumped off, flapped around loudly, then picked his present perch, an inch or so away from his first (or hundredth, as far as I know). Point is: two days ago. He's far too big to smack down with a shoe without getting bug-jizz (that I don't know what color it will be) on my (light yellow) couch, so he's just up there, owning the place. For days. It's unpleasant. guy on internet · July 13, 2008 02:49 PM I remember seeing a documentary about an Aussie(I think) beetle that judges the female based on size color and bumps on her carapace. Their numbers had started to dwindle because some beer company's bottles had the perfect size/color/texture and the males all went so nuts humping them they never got around to actually breeding. hmm, a quick search says maybe it was this one guy · July 13, 2008 10:40 PM I know this might be a disgusting thought for some, but is it possible that those Japanese beetles might be happier and better than some people? I'd rather be in the company of these little animals than an evil man. Ronald · July 13, 2008 11:12 PM "Also known as the shining leaf chafer and the copper June beetle, they like lights at night, which explains why it was clinging to the screen door. Clinging for hours, I might add. It was there when I went to bed, and yet it was all alone. On a Saturday night!" Well, at least it wasn't clinging to guns and religion, 'cause then there'd be a REAL problem... Jeremiadbullfrog · July 14, 2008 02:43 PM Hmm.... So maybe if I can find out all the characteristics Japanese beetles really go for in a - what, life partner? Whatever: then my green beans, grapes, roses, strawberries, zinnias, and what-all else may have a fighting CHANCE at LIFE??!? (I hate Japanese beetles. I hate them very much. I've sprayed some "safe" soap glop all over my gardens three times today in an effort to eradicate them while keeping said gardens "organic.") Jamie · July 14, 2008 09:24 PM So beetles are into risathra? Veeshir · July 15, 2008 01:31 PM You have broken on through. There was no other side. Optional · July 19, 2008 11:04 PM Since they are Japanese beetles, the correct term for what they were doing is "Beetlekake" Daryl Herbert · July 21, 2008 04:41 PM Post a comment
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Magnolia blossoms at this time of year? THAT sounds unnatural to me. :-)