Medulla Oblongata

Daiwa: mad cicada

Minmin colorway

big vs. little

Saurus Balsa-50 Semi Auto (70+ mm)

Tiemco Trick Trout Noisy Cicada (35mm)

Smith Bisen

Another pretty little cicada lure from Smith, Haruzemi female:

On my other Smith cicada lures, the wings have a delicate pattern applied to them. But this cicada, like Smith's 'bee,' has clear wings. Gorgeous metallic fiery red on the top, and a brilliant golden belly. Petite, delicate and real looker.

drown cicada

Probably my all time favorite cicada lure, even though I'm not supposed to have favorites: Daiwa "Drown Cicada." This guy is extremely awesome. I love the hole vents in wings, the sturdy frame, the opaque eyes--the crazy multicam wing pattern. This cicada has it all. I would LOVE to get my hands on another, different version, but in the US cicada lures are so hard to find. I need a hook up!

It's just hands down my favorite cicada lure. It's solid, stealthy, beautiful and incredibly well designed. A+

quiet funk

"To a postman's people. Delivery thank you for your work. Please do not crush this packing."

Ok. a) I love that and b) this used Quiet Funk lure is delightful. Couldn't be more pleased.

semi-daddy

Reins’ Semi-Daddy Frog:

I like this curious frog/cicada combo. The soft body is styled after a cicada lure--but generally larger than the average 35-45mm cicada lure--and therefore a more typical 'frog' size. The addition of the rubber flatline skirts (arms & legs) again work correctly for a frog lure--but can also look like the fluttering wings of a cicada. I like the mash-up.

 

Reins Semi-Daddy come in an assortment of colorways--the black/gold (pictured) and junebug are probably the more typical for cicadas--and the louder colors more so for frogs. I'm a fan. The double hook is also a nice feature from frog lures. I like the skirts that came with it, but would consider swapping them out for something patterned.

 

 - 3/8oz.

- Owner hook

 

gatta-x buggy

gatta-x buggy Hirata Kuwagata

bzzzzz

Think this is a lady Carpenter Bee? Shiny black abdomen and a black head. Amazing green eyes!

 

She was chilling on the pavement. I watched her for a while. She eventually was bored of me and buzzed up & away. She bumped off of my camera first, then slowly meandered off into the trees. Sweet little bee. I almost stepped on her! So glad I looked down and had a chance to really get up close before she flew away. Those eyes are just incredible.

dew bug

Early morning dew
crowns you: transparent turban.
A drop, nothing more.

 

leopard moth, carolina sphinx moth

I'm sorry to say this little gal was deceased when I found her. The boys have a yellow stripe down the side, and I didn't see one of this little moth. She (?) was still beautiful, well preserved and I'd never seen a leopard moth in person before, so I took the opportunity to snap a few quick pics:

The iridescent blue is amazing. Luckily it was a sunny day and the blue is really striking.

Thank you little Leopard Moth. I'm sorry you weren't alive, but thank you for the gorgeous pictures and the opportunity to interact with such a lovely creature.

*

Found two of these Carolina Sphinx moths hanging out together:

Big, slow moving, gentle moths. Drab on top--but with that outstanding orange-spotted body. Apparently these moths are also referred to as "Hummingbird" moths. I guess due to size? Because they don't look like a hummingbird to me.

They're really gorgeous in larvae form too, as Tobacco (or Tomato) hornworms. The difference between the two is that Tobacco hornworms have 7 stripes on their sides and a reddish 'horn' on the tail, and Tomato hornworms have a V shaped stripe and a bluish 'horn'. I happen to have Tobacco hornworms all over my tomato plants, which I find a little confusing, but they're very pretty. Tomato season's winding down & I don't mind them. I probably should, but I'm a fan of the hornworm as it turns out.

 

Tobacco hornworm; Manduca sexta