Blaine's Bug of the Day

[bmathison1972]

Copepods in the genus Cyclops.

One one figure for the time being, and probably the only copepod figure I am aware of, by Epoch (Ecology of Plankton).

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[bmathison1972]

The large oakblue, Arhopala amantes.

One figure, by Safari LTD (Butterflies of the World Collectors Case).

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[bmathison1972]

The ogre-faced spider, Deinopus rubrufus.

Only one figure to-date, and I think the only representative of the family Deinopidae, by Cadbury (Yowies).

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[bmathison1972]

The prehistoric dragonfly-like insect, Meganeura monyi. This is not a true dragonfly in the order Odonata, but rather a griffinfly in the order Meganisoptera.

One figure, by Kaiyodo (Dinotales).

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[bmathison1972]

Tarantula hawk wasps in the genus Pepsis.

One figure for now, by Funrise Toys (World of Nature Insects Collection). However, I am aware of a second by Play Visions (that is more realistically colored as well!).

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[bmathison1972]

The queen purple-tip, Colotis regina.

One figure by the Franklin Mint (Butterflies of the World).

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[bmathison1972]

The European wolf spider, Lycosa tarantula, and some miscellaneous wolf spiders.

I. European wolf spider, Lycosa tarantula.
1. Bullyland
2. Papo
3. Takara Tomy A.R.T.S. (Venomous Spiders)

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II. Miscellaneous wolf spiders.
1. Bullyland [original]
2. Club Earth (Spiders to Go)
3. Safari LTD (Cave Dwellers TOOB) [this was marketed as a 'cave spider' but is included here because there is a general thought that this probably represents the Kaua'i cave wolf spider, Adelocosa anops.]
4. Funrise Toys (World of Nature Insects Collection)

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[bmathison1972]

Ground beetles, known as searchers and hunters, in the genus Carabus, as well as miscellaneous Carabini.

I. Golden ground beetle, Carabus auratus.
1. Kaiyodo (Souvenirs Entomologiques)
2. Bullyland
3. Bullyland [blue variant]

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II. Carabus gehinii. [added 11/23/2017]
One figure, a stylized boxed figure from an unknown Japanese manufacturer.



III. Carabus insulicola. [added 11/23/2017]
One figure, a stylized boxed figure from an unknown Japanese manufacturer.



IV. Miscellaneous Carabus spp. and Carabini.

A. Small figure by K&M International (Garden Tube - European release).

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B. Large figure by K&M International (Insects Polyvinyl Bag).

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[bmathison1972]

The privet hawkmoth, Sphinx ligustri.

One figure, a larva by Bullyland [I have to credit brontodocus for the ID on this one].

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[bmathison1972]

A colorful stag beetle, Lamprima adolphinae.

1. DeAgostini (World Insect Data Book)
2. Sega

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1. F-toys (Encyclopedia of Insects Vol. 3). [added 12/6/2017]

[bmathison1972]

The Grecian shoemaker, Catonephele numilia.

Just one figure, by Toy Major (although I am aware of a second by Club Earth I have yet to acquire).

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[bmathison1972]

The Asian katydid, Hexacentrus unicolor (plus a miscellaneous katydid).

I. Hexacentrus unicolor.
One figure, by Yujin (Insects of Japan).

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II. Miscellaneous katydids.
One for now, a vintage figure by an unknown manufacturer [marketed as a grasshopper, but the long antennae suggest a tettigoniid.]

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[bmathison1972]

Time for Termites!!!!! A woefully underrepresented group!

I. Subterranean termite, Reticulitermes spp.
One figure, by Club Earth (Ants and Termites).

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II. Pacific Coast termite, Zootermopsis angusticollis.
One figure, by Club Earth (Ants and Termites) - and one of my favorite figures!

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III. Miscellaneous termites.
1. unknown manufacturer
2. Funrise Toys (World of Nature Insects Collection) [marketed as a 'king termite']
3. Wicked Cool Toys (Wild Kratts Creature Power Pack - Crawlers Set)

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[akitalover]

you surely have a massive list of collection, I love the butterfly. Where did you get this stuff guys?

[bmathison1972]

Posting my miscellaneous ants now; just to get the imaging out of the way LOL. These are ants not attributable to a given taxon. Ants are very common in bin sets so there are quite a few!

I. Known manufacturers or distributors.

A. Medium to large figures.
1. Toy Major
2. Rubie's Costume Co. (Night Creatures - Giant Insects)

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1. Learning Resources (Jumbo Insects)
2. 4D Famemaster

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B. Smaller figures.
1. Safari LTD (Insects TOOB)
2. K&M International (Insects Nature Tube)
3. Toy Major
4. Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!)
5. Groovy Tube Books (Bug Blast!)
6. Toy Major (Animal Planet Head Animal Tube - Insects)
7. Toy Major
8. Toy Major (Animal Planet Head Animal Tube - Insects)
9. Bullyland (Mini)
10. Discovery Kids (Disgusting Facts Kit)
11. Safari LTD (Good Luck Minis)

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C. Life Cycles.
1. Safari LTD (Safariology)
2. Insect Lore

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II. Unknown manufacturers or distributors.

1. Dollar store set apparently copied from Bullyland (which many in the set were, unbeknownst to me at the time of purchase).

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2. Others.

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[bmathison1972]

The Brazilian white-kneed tarantula, Acanthoscurria geniculata. The only species I currently have in this genus.

One figure, by Bullyland.

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[bmathison1972]

The velvet spider, Eresus kollari, the only representative (to my knowledge) of the family Eresidae.

One figure, by Bullyland.

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[brontodocus]

The Brazilian white-kneed tarantula, Acanthoscurria geniculata. The only species I currently have in this genus.

Ah, so this one has movable legs and the other two new releases don't?

[bmathison1972]

The Brazilian white-kneed tarantula, Acanthoscurria geniculata. The only species I currently have in this genus.

Ah, so this one has movable legs and the other two new releases don't?

No,  it's solid PVC like the others. Or, so I think lol. I'm away so I can check tomorrow but I don't remember articulated legs.

[bmathison1972]

The Brazilian white-kneed tarantula, Acanthoscurria geniculata. The only species I currently have in this genus.

Ah, so this one has movable legs and the other two new releases don't?

No,  it's solid PVC like the others. Or, so I think lol. I'm away so I can check tomorrow but I don't remember articulated legs.

Yes, solid PVC. Sorry for the odd hesitation. The figures arrived about 2 hours before I had to leave to catch a flight, so I just took quick pics and didnt detail them (except the Eremus for its walkaround). But yes, they are all solid plastic.