Blaine's Bug of the Day

[bmathison1972]

OK, I already have a thread showing my collection on display. But I am creating a new thread that I will use to photo-document my collection. On a periodic basis (maybe not EVERY day), I will post a species and ALL figures I have of that given species. I am aware I don't have everything and I am sure many of you will recognize figures I am lacking. As I add new members of a given species, I will update that post so all members of the same species are in the same post.

I will try to cross post this on ATF and STS to have it safely in two places.

Please feel free to comment but please do not post images in this thread. I would like all the images to be mine (for logistical reasons). Thank you for your cooperation.

If anyone can contribute a name to an 'unknown manufacturer' please chime in!

In the meantime, enjoy.

Since I have been doing a lot with Lepidoptera lately, let's start with the monarch (and related members of the genus Danaus), since I have more of this species (21 figures) than any other lepidopteran.

I. monarch, Danaus plexippus.

A. Some large, well-made figures.
1. 4D Master (Butterfly Collection)
2. Safari LTD (Hidden Kingdom Insects)
3. CollectA (this is probably the best of the lot, among the plastic figures at least!)

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B. Some large, soft figures
1. K&M International (Insects Polybag)
2. unknown manufacturer (originally had a string to hang from a ceiling or object)

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3. Learning Resources (Jumbo Insects) [added 3/2/2017]

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C. Life Cycle by Safari LTD (Safariology)

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D. Miscellaneous small to medium figures
1. Safari LTD (Authenics Insects)
2. Cadbury (Yowies - Australian release)
3. Cadbury (Yowies - UK release)
4. K&M International (Butterflies Nature Tube)
5. unknown manufacturer (from a set of Club Earth knock-offs)
6. US Toy
7. unknown manufacturer
8. Toy Major
9. Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!)
10. Safari LTD (Smithsonian Insects)

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E. Porcellain figurines
1. Franklin Mint (Butterflies of the World)
2. Little Critterz (Little Critterz)
3. Little Critterz (Northern Rose)
4. unknown (possible doll-house decor)

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A couple French feves by unknown manufacturers. [added 2/1/2017]

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II. queen, Danaus gilippus.

Only two figures, both of which whose identifications are based on my theories (and as such, open for debate). The larva is by Beam; the adult is by Toy Major.

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III. common tiger, Danaus genutia.
Only one figure, by Yujin (Insects of Japan). This figure was marketed as being in the genus Salatura.

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[brontodocus]

That's a neat idea, Blaine, and also an excellent choice to start with! The 4d Master figure's wings look great!

[bmathison1972]

EDIT: Updated first post to include other members of Danaus (since I only had 3 other figures representing 2 species).

By the way I made a list of all species in my collection and numbered them. I am using  a random number generator to determine what will be posted next...

[bmathison1972]

So...that random number generator selected another danaine butterfly, related to the monarch! LOL, you can't make this stuff up. So, the second post will represent:

paper kite, Idea leuconoe:

A. Life cycle elements:
1. larva: Kaiyodo (CapsuleQ Museum Caterpillars)
2. pupa: Yujin (Insects of Japan)
3. adult: Yujin (Insects of Japan)

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B. small and medium figures.
1. K&M International (Butterflies Nature Tube)*
2. Safari LTD (Butterflies of the World Collectors Case)*
3. Safari LTD (Authentics Butterflies)
4. K&M International (Mini Butterfly Polybag)

*this species should not have tails. The Safari figure was specifically marketed as I leuconoe and the K&M figure is apparently a copy of it. Safari corrected the error for the Authentics figure.

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C. French feve figurine. [added 2/1/2017]

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[bmathison1972]

The random number generator is keeping the Lepidoptera theme going with the commercial silkworm moth, Bombyx mori.

A. Life cycle by Insect Lore.

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B. miscellaneous figures: [updated 8/2/217]
1. larva by Kaiyodo (CapsuleQ Museum Caterpillars)
2. larva by Shenig (Larvae Moei)
4. pupa by Shenig (Larvae Moei)
4. adult by Kaiyodo (Sticky Tack Insect Set)

[bmathison1972]

Going into the weekend, so two-for-one tonight. This time, the genus Argiope, and other araneids. [edited 1/20/2017]

I. garden spider, Argiope amoena.
One figure of this species, by Bandai (Figure Pictorial Book of Gakken Insect)

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II. black-and-yellow argiope, Argiope aurantia.
I have only one figure so far, by Play Visions (Habitat Earth: Tarantulas and Spiders)

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III. St. Andrews Cross spider, Argiope keyserlingi.
One figure, by K&M International (Spiders Bulk)

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IV. A large generic Argiope by Sun Wai Toys

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V. spiny orb-weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis .
One figure, by K&M International (Spiders Bulk)

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VI. The leaf-rolling spider, Phonognatha graeffei. [added 2/18/2017]
One figure, by Cadbury (Yowies).

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VII. Some generic 'garden spiders'
A couple figures marketed as garden or orb-weaving spiders (Aranaeidae).

left: Wicked Cool Toys (Wild Kratts Creature Power Pack - Crawlers Set)
right: Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!) [this is a repaint of a generic spider, but was specifically marketed as a garden spider]

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...and I guess by web morphology this is also an aranaeid:

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[bmathison1972]

The random number generator this morning landed on the planarian, Dugesia sp. This is not an arthropod (I have select other invertebrates, plankton, and protozoa).
This figure is from Kitan Club - Nature Techni Colour; it was in a set of six but I only got one to get a representative of this species.

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By the way, it's a weekend so I hope to have several posts today and/or tomorrow...

[sbell]

The random number generator this morning landed on the planarian, Dugesia sp. This is not an arthropod (I have select other invertebrates, plankton, and protozoa).
This figure is from Kitan Club - Nature Techni Colour; it was in a set of six but I only got one to get a representative of this species.

photo uploading

By the way, it's a weekend so I hope to have several posts today and/or tomorrow...

I see you cut the strap off of yours as well!

[bmathison1972]

The random number generator selected another spider, the mabel orchard spider, Leucauge venusta.

I have one figure of this species, and probably the only figure of a member of the family Tetragnathidae, by K&M Internatinal (Spiders Bulk).

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[bmathison1972]

The first Diptera! The random number generator selected a species of mosquito, and since there are so few figures of this group I'll show all of mine.

I. Anopheles maculipennis.
One figure, by Skillcraft (Insect Lab) [I had to paint it myself]

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II. unassigned mosquitoes.

A. Life cycle by Safari LTD (Safariology)

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B. miscellaneous small figures.
1. left: Bullyland
2. right: unknown manufacturer

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[bmathison1972]

Well, the random number generator finally landed on a beetle, and it's Dorcus titanus platymelus. So, here are all of my Dorcus species (12 of them!) and figures.

I. Dorcus alcides.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. Sega (small series, standard)

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3. Sega (DX) [added 11/19/2017]



II. Dorcus antaeus.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)

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III. Dorcus arrowi.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)

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IV. Dorcus bucephalus
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)

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V. Dorcus curvidens.
1. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Beetles of the World)-male
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Beetles of the World)-female
3. Hayakwa Toys (Insect Collection - Special)
4. Kabaya (World Insect Series 1)

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VI. Dorcus grandis [updated 11/19/2017]
1. Sega (small series, standard)
2. Sega (Mushi King magnet)
3. Kabaya (World Insect Series 1)



4. 4D Master (Beetle Collecion) [added 4/10/2017]

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VII. Dorcus hopei-complex.
These are those marketed under either D. hopei or the subspecies, D. hopei binodulosus. This is the most commonly-made Dorcus species.

A. Large figures.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Beetles)

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B. Medium-sized figures.
1. F-Toys (Insect Hunter Beetle and Stag Beetle)
2. F-Toys (Beetle Battle)
3. Rement
4. Kitan Club – Nature Techni Colour (Nature of Japan Vol. 3)
5. Colorata (Tropical Rain Forest Stag Beetles)
6. Sega (Mushi King)
7. Saga
8. Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Museum – Stag Beetles)

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C. Smaller and misc. figures.
1. Bandai (Bugs Museum)
2. Sega
3. Wing Mau
4. Sega

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D. Immature stages.
1. Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Museum – Caterpillars)
2-4. Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales)

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2017 additions [added 11/19/2017]
These were added second half of 2017
1. Sega
2. Hayakwa Toys (Insect Collection - Special)
3. Sega



VIII. Dorcus rectus. [updated 11/19/2017]
1. Sega
2. Sega
3. Sega (small series, standard)



IX. Dorcus rubrofemoratus.
1. Sega

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X. Dorcus titanus-complex.
1. D. titanus titanus, DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. D. titanus palawanicus, Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Beetles, 2016)
3. D. titanus platymelus, F-toys (Beetle Battle)
4. D. titanus platymelus, Yujin (Insects of Japan) [marketed as Serognathus platymelus]

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1. D. titanus palawanicus, Sega (DX) [added 4/19/2017]

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Late 2017 updates [added 11/19/2017]:
1. Sega (large series, standard) [subspecies palawanicus]
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Beetles 2017) [subspecies palawanicus]



1. ShanTrip [subspecies palawanicus]
2. Hayakwa Toys (Insect Collection - Special)



XI. Dorcus tityus
1. Sega

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[bmathison1972]

This post is a personal request from a good friend, colleague, and frequent collaborator: ticks in the genus Ixodes.

I. Australian paralysis tick, Ixodes holocyclus.
One figure, by Paleo-Creatures [figure is a male]

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II. castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus.
1. 3B Scientific
2. Funrise Toys (World of Nature Insect Collection)

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III. Black-legged tick, Ixodes scapularis. [added 2/18/2018]

Two figures, an engorged female and a male by a currently unknown manufacturer.

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IV. miscellanous 'Ixodes' ticks.
1. GPI Anatomicals (Canine Skin Parasites)-this is an otherwise great figure except for the presence of festoons which this genus should not have.
2. Play Visions (Fleas, Lice, and Ticks)-this is marketed as a 'deer tick' which generally implies an Ixodes, but members of this genus should not have eyes, an ornate dorsal shield, nor festoons.

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[Jetoar]

I like to see my creations again .

[stargatedalek]

Looking great! I for one can't wait to see all of your luna moths in detail.

[CetaceanFan]

Neat collection of insects and Arthropods, Blaine!
   

[bmathison1972]

As a request from stargatedalek, here are the luna moths, Actias luna, and other members of the genus Actias. Not as many out there as one would hope (I should check out for porcelain figurines...)

I. Luna moth, Actias luna.

A. Large figures.

1. Safari LTD (Smithsonian Insects)

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2. Doug Walpus Art Studio.

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B. A smaller, softer figure by Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!).

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C. Life cycle by Safari LTD (Safariology).

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II. Indian moon moth, Actias selene.
One figure, a refrigerator magnet by Doug Walpus Art Studio.

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[bmathison1972]

Interestingly, the random number generator picked another saturniid moth! So, here are my Saturnia figures. Right now, only two figures each representing one species.

I. small emperor moth, Saturnia pavonia.
1. Kaiyodo (Souvenirs Entomologiques) [the female is under the cage cover]

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II. giant peacock moth, Saturnia pyri.
1. Paleo-Creatures (Little Treasures of Europe)

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[stargatedalek]

Very nice! The Safariology figure is more detailed than I'd remembered.

[bmathison1972]

Very nice! The Safariology figure is more detailed than I'd remembered.

the life cycle adult is really nice

[bmathison1972]

One last one for the weekend:

cobalt blue tarantula, Haplopelma lividum.

left: Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Venomous Spiders)
right: Club Earth (Spiders To Go)

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