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Insects you've probably never heard of!
8 years ago
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Hey ho! 
bug-dealer here, been having a bit of a slow few weeks but I want to try and pick things up and get back into some form of motivated mindset.
I know a lot about bugs, and I mean so fucking much. I'm not trying to gloat, I'm calling myself out on this obsession that has consumed my life. I can remember the long boring scientific names of many praying mantis species, but I can't remember if I took my pills this morning, or do basic math without using my fingers, so, thanks brain.
I figured I may as well make an outlet for this accumulated mess of knowledge. I see so many lists of curious insect species online and on "news" articles that are all click-baity like BUGS U DIDNT KNOW EXISTED! and its always the same shtick. Orchid mantis, giant centipede, rosy maple moth, cute bugs we all know about that we show other people to impress them on how great bugs can be, because they're beautiful and unique.
Every week I'm going to compile a list of four bugs (or bug sub-species) you've actually probably not heard much about before.
bug-dealerDragon Mantis (Toxodera sp)
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One of the rarest commercially bred mantises, a single adult can cost you up to $900!
Lichen morph Spiny leaf Insect (Extatosoma tiaratum)
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The same species as regular Extatosoma tiaratum, this colour variation occurs in tropical areas.
Springtail (Dicyrtomina ornate)
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These insects are one of the most abundant on earth, and despite their small size, they possess complex mating rituals and cleaning habits.
Bee Mites (Varroa destructor)
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While I don't doubt that you know about the bee killing mites, perhaps you don't know the specifics!
Don't forget to check out our discord to nab a free bug buds icon of your insect character!
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I discovered a few years ago that we get Toxodera sp. native to where I live, here in thailand.
I have, obviously, never found one, despite my best efforts... But I remain ever vigilant in my search!!
As for springtails... they give me anxiety--I hate the stress of raising hatchlings that are too small to eat anything larger than springtails lmfao
The species of springtail linked are honestly some of my favourite insects of all time. It fascinates me that they're so incredibly tiny, but have complex habits. I totally get that though, I tried raising pinhead crickets and THAT was stressful enough! I feel like they're small enough that it would be hard to tell if you were raising them successfully. I found out that a very similar species were in the soil of my tank because they all killed themselves in my gecko's water bowl. That was the only time I ever actually saw them in there, though! Otherwise i'd have had no idea, haha