Friday, July 11, 2008

Assassin


I've mentioned before that my youngest son is home from college
on summer break. When he came home from work the other
day, he had a fascinating bug in his hand, which he found on
some foliage outside. I'll have to admit, it's been a while since
I've had a bug in a glass jar on the kitchen counter, but we had
to get a better look at this unusual guy! His tail was curled up like
a scorpion. After looking online, we decided that he was an assassin
bug. Venomous saliva is pumped into his victim through his beak.
Ick! Not only that, but if he bites a human, it can be very painful
and cause an allergic reaction. So, after we took a few photos,
through the glass, Mr. Assassin was escorted back outside, by
Manor Security.

21 comments:

  1. Love that photo! I would not like to meet that guy without glass between us. Here's hoping Manor Security escorted him to the property line.

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  2. I've never heard of the assassin
    bug. Isn't nature just full of strange and fascinating creatures.

    Willow, I'm honored to have been added to your blog roll. I have done the same for Life At Willow Manor. The circle grows.

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  3. Ewwwwwww! I guess all God's creatures have their purpose one way or another. Glad he did not bite you son!

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  4. Didn't know where scuttlebutt came from though I knew what it meant.
    We live and learn.
    Thank you!
    As regards the bug, I had a fit in Morocco when we had a scorpion in the courtyard.
    I had never heard of the assassin bug.
    Nasty!

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  5. GULP! A very eerie picture of your short-term visitor.

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  6. I've never heard of him either! I wonder if any poor previous manor owners met their untimely death by way of the Assassin!? I thought it was a praying mantis at first with those legs! And a beak? Fascinating...I hope he doesn't travel southwest! :)

    Willow, my husband said "Knock it off" to Spencer this evening (rightly deserved, of course!) and I immediately thought of your etymology. Maybe you could add it to your list for your weekly word (or phrase!)

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  7. Betsy, "knock it off" is a good one...I'll put it on my Willow's Weekly Word list!

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  8. Goodness Willow...he's a wicked looking character...I got a chuckle out of mod girl...taking him to the property line :) a good idea....

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  9. Well a shudder just went down my spine!It looks almost like a praying mantis. Not my favourite creature when they are flying across a room during the summer months.

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  10. You are a brave lady, Willow. I would have been on the other side of the room even with the bug behind glass. Very like a praying mantis though, isn't it?

    I've posted your award and sent it off to 5 worthy recipients. Thanks again!

    Kat

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  11. After reading up on the evil little fella, weren't you glad he didn't bite youngest son?

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  12. Good thing you do background checks at the Manor...otherwise you might have found yourself bugged.....

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  13. David, thanks for adding me to your blogroll. I'm honored. Like Kat said, I am extending my branches. ;)

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  14. Kat, you are very welcome. Your lovely poetry is a joy to read. I'm addicted!

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  15. Stevie, you are too funny, you witty, witty girl!!!

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  16. Betsy, I know! I'm glad it didn't bite either one of us. I'm fascinated by interesting insects and really didn't think anything about handling it. Whew.

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  17. how brave of you to let him go on willow manor. after keeping him captive in a jar, he may be laying in wait for a human hand to peck. i'm thinking he's camped out near the snake-laden mailbox. smile! and i loved the "willow security" comment. too funny!

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  18. The picture looks like a praying mantis, but, I'm no expert on etomology. I like the post though....and the name....assassin bug....it could make a good movie!

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  19. Oh, my gosh--he's a combination of ominous looking and very elegant! I don't know that I'd like to come cross him myself, though...

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Inject a few raisins of conversation into the tasteless dough of existence.
― O. Henry (and me)