Blaine's Bug of the Day

[bmathison1972]

Can it be, the number generator is just now landing on a member of Hemiptera! And for starters, giant water bugs in the genus Lethocerus.

I. Lethocerus americanus.
One figure, by Skillcraft (Insect Lab).

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II. Lethocerus deyrollei.

A. Figures on bases.
1. Bandai (Figure Pictorial Book of Gakken Insect)
2. Kaiyodo (Shinagawa Aquarium)

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B. Other figures.
1. Yujin (Insects of Japan)
2. F-toys (Creatures of the Waterside)
3. Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales)
4. Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Animatales - Biwako)

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[bmathison1972]

the random number generator landed on one of my two water fleas, so here they both are:

I. Daphnia pulex.

A. Figures on bases.
1. Kaiyodo (Microcosmos)
2. Kaiyodo (Enoshima Aquarium)
3. Kaiyodo (Night Aqua Museum)
4. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (The Minimum Coexistence: Microbe)

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B. Other figures.
Just one for now, by Epoch (Ecology of Plankton).

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II. Leptodora kindtii.
An unusual species to appear in toy form, and just one figure for now by Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Animatales - Biwako).

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[brontodocus]

Those four Daphnia pulex figures make it hard to decide which one is the best, they're all wonderful. I tend to favour the T-A.R.T.S figure which has the least attractive display stand though. Does the LED light on your Night Aqua Museum figure still work?

[bmathison1972]

The rhinoceros beetle, Strategus mandibularis.

One figure, by Sega.

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[bmathison1972]

The Japanese biddie, Anotogaster sieboldii. This is one of the few dragonfly species I have with more than 1-2 figures! Some miscellaneous figures possibly attributable to this genus below as well.

I. Anosogaster sieboldii.

A. Adult and nymph (naiad) by Yujin (Insects of Japan).

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B. Other figures.
1. Furuta (Insect Science)
2. Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales)
3. Hayakwa Toys (Insects Collection - Special)
4. Furuta (Insect Science) - nymph
5. Rement

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II. Miscellaneous biddies.
These figures were most-certainly modeled after (copied from?) A. sieboldii figures. All are unknown manufacturers except:
1. Toy Major
2. Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!)

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[brontodocus]

The Yujin Anotogaster sieboldii imago and nymph are so wonderful figures. Like all of their dragonflies the wing venation seems to be cast from a dried specimen instead of being sculpted so every vein is where it should be.

[bmathison1972]

Long-horned beetles in the genus Batocera.

I. Batocera lineolata.
One figure, by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S.

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II. Batocera rufomaculata.
One figure, by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. [this is a tentative ID of mine]

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[bmathison1972]

The blue mother-of-pearl, Protogoniomorpha temora.

An unusual species to be made in toy form, with one figure by Blip Toys (Nature's Wonders HD).

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[bmathison1972]

The random number generator landed on the house fly, so here it is with generic flies not attributable to family level or below.

I. House fly, Musca domestica.
Interestingly there is only one figure specifically attributable to this species, by Kaiyodo (Sticky Tack Insect Set).

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II. Miscellaneous flies.
These are generic flies from various sets that are not attributable to specific taxa.

A. Large and elevated figures.
1. Rubie's Costume Co. (Night Creatures - Giant Insects) - sold as Halloween decor
2. unknown manufacturer

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

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B. Flies on Dog Poop by Discovery Kids (Disgusting Facts Kit).
Yes, really...

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C. Small figures by known manufacturers/distributors.
There is definitely some duplication of models here...
1. K&M International (Insects Nature Tube)
2. Toy Major
4. Toy Major (Animal Planet Head Animal Tube - Insects)
5. Safari LTD (Insects TOOB)
6. Toy Major
7. Discovery Kids (Disgusting Facts Kit)

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D. Miscellaneous flies of unknown manufacturers
...but you can probably see some Toy Major influence in some of these. Most of these were from unnamed sets, often from dollar stores.

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[bmathison1972]

The South American long-horned beetle, Macrodontia cervicornis.

Two cool figures of this interesting beetle exist in my collection:
1. Kabaya (Insect Directory)
2. Play Visions (Exotic Beetles)

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[bmathison1972]

The random generator landed on one of the aquatic hermit crabs. My hermit crab figures represent three different families, so this post will have the aquatic hermit crabs in the families Deogenidae and Paguridae, and the terrestrial hermit crabs (Coenobitidae) will have their own then their time comes.

For those of you who follow me on ATF know I have a special fondness for hermit crab figures!

I. Hairy hermit crab, Dardanus megistos.
One figure, by Cadbury (Yowies).

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II. Anemone hermit crab, Dardanus peduculatus.
One figure, by Yujin (Shrimps and Crabs Collection).

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III. Long-armed hermit crab, Pagurus longicarpus.
One figure, by Epoch (Earth Life Journey).

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IV. Blue-banded hermit crab, Pagurus samuelis.
One figure, by Yujin (Shrimps and Crabs Collection).

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V. Miscellaneous marine hermit crabs.

A. Plastic figures.
1. AAA
2. AAA
3. SDS
4. Wicked Cool Toys (Wild Kratts Creature Power Pack - Crawlers Set)
5. unknown manufacturer [this is from a set that otherwise include Play Visions knock-offs, although PV did not include a hermit crab in their set]

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1. Three plastic figures by Aqua Della, sold as aquarium decor. [added 11/22/2017]



B. Porcelain figurines.
1. Little Critterz (Northern Rose Collection)
2. Little Critterz (Little Critterz)

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[bmathison1972]

The cuckoo wasp, Chrysis coerulans.

The figures, both by Cadbury (Yowies). Play Visions did a cuckoo wasp too, albeit another species, that I do not have yet.
The figure on the left is the UK release figure; the one on the right is the Australian release.

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[Beetle guy]

Those four Daphnia pulex figures make it hard to decide which one is the best, they're all wonderful. I tend to favour the T-A.R.T.S figure which has the least attractive display stand though. Does the LED light on your Night Aqua Museum figure still work?

The little one from Kaiyodo from the Aquarium series (blue base) is highly detailed. Beautiful figure! I have the comming toward me this month along witth more plankton 

[brontodocus]

The South American long-horned beetle, Macrodontia cervicornis.

Two cool figures of this interesting beetle exist in my collection:
1. Kabaya (Insect Directory)
2. Play Visions (Exotic Beetles)

Ah, the Kabaya Macrodontia cervicornis! A tiny but excellent figure and I'm so happy to have it, too. But someone has to make a life-size toy figure of this one. And of Titanus giganteus, too, of course.

Edit:

Those four Daphnia pulex figures make it hard to decide which one is the best, they're all wonderful. I tend to favour the T-A.R.T.S figure which has the least attractive display stand though. Does the LED light on your Night Aqua Museum figure still work?

The little one from Kaiyodo from the Aquarium series (blue base) is highly detailed. Beautiful figure! I have the comming toward me this month along witth more plankton 

Aw, that's the only one of the four I'm still missing. Hmm, I may have to hunt for one, too...

[bmathison1972]

Stag beetles in the genus Cyclommatus. Five species, to date!

I. Cyclommatus elephas.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. Kabaya (Insect Directory)
3. Sega

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II. Cyclommatus giraffa.
One figure, by DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book).

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III. Cyclommatus imperator.
One figure, by DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book).

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IV. Cyclommatus metallifer.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. 4D Famemaster (Beetle Collection)

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V. Cyclommatus speciosus.
One figure, by DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book).

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[bmathison1972]

Time to get hopping mad for FLEAS!!! All my Siphonaptera are shown here:

I. dog flea, Ctenocephalides canis.

A. Model by GPI Anatomicals (Canine Skin Parasites).

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B. Life cycle by Merial.

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II. Cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. [added7/15/2017]
One figure, by Play Visions (Fleas, Lice, and Ticks)



III. Ctenocephalides spp.
These figures are not marketed as specific species but appear to be based on Ctenocephalides. spp.

A. Miscellaneous figures.
1. unknown manufacturer
2. Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!)
3-5. unknown manufacturers*

* these figures are too plump to fleas but are clearly modeled after fleas!

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B. Large figure by Safari LTD (Smithsonian Insects).

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IV. human flea, Pulex irritans.
One figure, by Kaiyodo (Sanitary Insect Pest Exhibition).

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[bmathison1972]

The blister beetle, Cissites cephalotes. In addition, the last image shows miscellaneous beetles that can probably be attributed to Meloidae.

I. Cissites cephalotes.
One figure, by Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Animatales - Shikoku).

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II. Miscellanous Meloidae.
All three of these are from unknown manufacturers.

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[bmathison1972]

The praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), related, and generic green miscellaneous mantids...

Please see descriptions and disclaimers below.

Other mantids not shown here will have their own posts.

I. Praying mantis, Mantis religiosa.
The figures are specifically marketed as the 'praying mantis' (see miscellaneous below).

A. Miscellaneous figures.
1. CollectA
2. Wicked Cool Toys (Wild Kratts Creature Power Pack - Praying Mantis Powers)
3. Funrise Toys (World of Nature Insect Collection)
4. Safari LTD (Insects TOOB)

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B. LARGE figures.
1. Jasman Toys
2. Safari LTD (Smithsonian Insects)
3. Safari LTD (Hidden Kingdom Insects)
4. K&M International (Insects Polyvinyl Bag)

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C. Life Cycle by Insect Lore.

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II. Stagmomantis spp..
This is a related genus of morphologically-similar species. One figure so far, by Trendmasters (Insect Predators). This figure is marketed as both 'praying mantis' (genus Mantis) and as Stagmomantis. I have decided to put Latin over English names!

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III. Miscellaneous Mantids!.
These are all generic, mostly green, mantid figures. While most of these are probably intended to be the praying mantis, they are not specifically marketed as such (or at least, were not when I acquired them).

A. GIANT figure by Toy Major.

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B. 4D Famemaster.

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C. Medium-large figures.
1. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Insects, 2015)*
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Insects, 2016)*
3. unknown manufacturer

*as these were made by a Japanese company, they might represent Tenodera sinensis.

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...and these two from unknown manufacturers.

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D. Smaller Figures.
Most of these are from unknown manufacturers (mantids are very common in bin sets), except:
1. K&M International (Insects Nature Tube)
2. Silver Dolphin Books (Animal Adventures: Insects and Spiders)
3. Toy Major (Animal Planet Head Animal Tube – Insects)

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[brontodocus]

Wonderful fleas, especially the big, highly detailed ones. And I don't think I've seen a Famemaster Cyclommatus before!

[bmathison1972]

Stag beetles in the genus Lucanus! Five species to date, plus some miscellaneous figures.

I. European stag beetle, Lucanus cervus.

A. Boxed and elevated figures.
1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. CollectA

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B. Larger figures.
1. Bullyland
2. unknown manufacturer [from a set that included several Bullyland knock-offs]

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1. Model kit by Heller. [added 11/22/2017]



C. Medium and smaller figures.
1. Paleo-Creatures (Little Treasures of Europe)
2. Running Press (Natural History Museum: Insects)
3. K&M International (Garden Tube – European release)

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A couple more smaller figures. [added 11/22/2017]
1. Schleich (Minis)
2. Maruka (The Strongest Beetle Legend)



II. Giant stag beetle, Lucanus elephas.
One figure, by K&M International (North American Insects).

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III. Lucanus gamunus.
1. Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales)
2. Sega

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IV. Lucanus hermani.
One figure, by DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book).

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V. Miyama stag beetle, Lucanus maculifemoratus.
The most commonly-made species, mainly because of its popularity with Japanese manufacturers.

A. Boxed figure by DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book).

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B. Other, smaller, boxed figures.
1. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Beetles of the World)
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Beetles of the World) – female
3. Bandai (Bugs Museum)

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C. Flying and elevated figures.
1. Epoch (Flying Beetles)
2. Kaiyodo (Capsule Q Museum – Stag Beetles)
3. Kaiyodo (Choco Q Animatales)
4. Yujn (Insects of Japan)

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D. Larger figures.
1. Subarudo
2. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Insects, 2015)
3. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Insects, 2016)
4. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (B.I.G. Insects, 2016)

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More by Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. [added 11/22/2017]
1. B.I.G. Beetles (2017)
2. B.I.G. Insects (2017)



E. Smaller figures.
1. Sega (Mushi King)
2. F-toys (Beetle Battle)
3. Sega
4. Hayakwa Toys (Insects Collection – Special)
5. Kabaya (World Insects Series 1)
6. Sega

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VI. Miscellaneous Lucanus figures.

A. Life Cycle by Safari LTD (Safariology).

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B. Miscellaneous figures.
These figures appear to be modeled after members of this genus. All are from unknown manufacturers except for #1 by Sega.

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VII. What the heck...some miscellaneous stag beetles....

A. Large figure by Safari LTD (Smithsonian Insects).
...with some small look-alikes. Figure #1 is by Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!).

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1. Large figure by Target (Hyde and Eek Boutique), sold as Halloween decor. [added 11/22/2017]



B. Miscellaneous stags.
These are all from unknown manufacturers, some vintage. Figure #1 was in a set released in conjunction with Disney's A Bug's Life.

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