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The news is just too depressing these days. So here's a pic of my Bold Jumper "Pumpkin" who just woke up from their long winter nap and has been enjoying a daily fly buffet. #Phidippus #Salticidae

Close up of a Bold Jumping Spider's face

Picture of a Bold Jumping Spider with its shimmering chelicerae and orange abdominal spots

Bold Jumping Spider with its "paw" touching my finger.

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

I feel this so much. Working on MS in Entomology. I feel dumber every semester.

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

I know more about insect hormones right now (specifically PTTH and ecdysone) than the hormones running through my own body. Hopefully my brain will be able to reproduce this knowledge for my Insect Physiology exam coming up. (*gulp*) I probably should have taken a Bio class as an undergrad.

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I've seen a few juvenile Orbweavers succumb to the cold winters of Eastern WA. Found this one on the side of my house in early November and decided to bring it inside just to see if I could keep it alive until spring. It's living in a 10 gal aquarium and has molted twice 😍. #Araneus #Orbweaver

Juvenile orbweaver with darkling beetle prey next to index finger for size reference

Juvenile orbweaver with darkling beetle prey

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Reposted by Michelle Bos

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · 30/12/2024

Don't destroy their home and wonder why they invade yours. 💚

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 21/12/2024

Bought myself this sticker for my laptop and I love it so much #wasps #parasitoid 😂 www.etsy.com/shop/ThatWas...

Cartoon drawing of caterpillar and parasitic wasp cocoons

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 19/11/2024

Had the pleasure of going out with a WA State DNR Forest Entomologist to survey a property for Bark Beetles. We found plenty of evidence that many different species (Ips and Dendroctonus) were present including this little Red Turpentine Beetle (Dendroctonus valens) tucked away in the wood.

Resin tube from Red Turpentine Bark Beetle at the base of a pine tree

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 18/11/2024

My cats have lead me to many cool bugs in my backyard. They found me my first ever cicada nymph and first shield-backed katydid! Now if they'd just stop swatting the Bumble Bees, LOL!

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 17/11/2024

First measurable snow for Spokane (GEG) on the record books 1.2" Nov 16th. Back to rain on Sunday the 17th #Spokane #snow

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Yeah not something you're going to get to see on a live specimen, though you might be able to see those features on one of the molts. I just have one jumping spider, a sub-adult Phidippus audax, who I hope I can keep healthy this winter on mealworms and store bought crickets.

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Michelle Bos @bugstorm.bsky.social · 13/11/2024

Making my first post one that lets people know what they're getting into by following me. Sometimes weather content...but mostly bugs/spiders. These are pics from my first spider dissection. Male Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis). #arthropods #Agelenidae

Plumose setae on the leg of a male Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)

Characteristics of the chelicerae of the Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)

Characteristics of the pedipalp of a male Hobo Spider (Eratigena agrestis)

View of the pedipalp of a male Hobo Spider

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