Will the Real Drone Beetle Please Raise Your Wings?
Greetings!
It feels like summer is officially here. Two of my great-nieces graduated from high school this past weekend and my daughter’s AA degree graduation is this week. We’ve been shopping for supplies so Max and Jasper can go RVing with us this summer and fall. By the time we place the litterbox, cat tree (that leads to an overhead bunk), and the food and water bowls, I’m not sure if there will be room for us.
One of the new items we got is the Litter-Robot 4 by Whisker. It’s kind of a monster, looking more like a front-loading washing machine than a litter box but it’s also almost elegant.
We just set it up on Sunday, and before we’d even finished testing, Jasper walked in and used it. No adjustment period needed for him! Max peeked in as we were testing the cleaning cycle, managing to trigger the “stop” sensor three times. He was very curious but didn’t use it. As of Wednesday morning, he still has not used it but seems to enjoy watching it cycle a few minutes after he sticks his head in. I’ll do a full review once we’ve had it for a longer period of time.
Just in case you are thinking of getting one, this link will get you $50 off and provide me a $25 credit.
I have decided that since I am going to be busy with my stained glass work, traveling, and other summer projects, I’m going to make this newsletter more of a tasty appetizer than a full course. Some people prefer short newsletters and others enjoy longer ones. I personally read some of each but admit I am more likely to read the whole issue if it is shorter. Please feel free to let me know what you think down in the comments section.
This week’s featured creature was inspired by the video game, Animal Crossing. I suspect at least some of you gave in to temptation during the pandemic and bought yourself a Switch gaming console so you could play Animal Crossing. My wife and I were late to the party and only got Switches this past Christmas and I have to admit, we love them. I’m not a big gamer but after watching my kids play Animal Crossing, I was really intrigued.
For those who don’t know, AC is a game where you build up your own previously deserted island. You gather resources such as wood, fish, bugs, fruit, and fossils and then sell them so you can purchase what you need to build and decorate your home and the rest of the island to make it appealing for your and your growing island population. The game mimics your local weather and many of the fauna and flora are seasonal. Recently fireflies started appearing, as did drone beetles.
Up until that point, I’d recognized all the sea and land creatures as being real. I wasn’t sure about drone beetles but suspected they are real. My research revealed a few things.
It’s easier to find out about mechanical “drone beetles” being designed for surveillance and search and rescue than about living ones. I’m pretty sure I don’t like what that says about our society.
Drone beetles are real, more accurately known as Japanese drone beetles. They are a type of scarab beetle, scientific name: Pseudotorynorrhina japonica.
Drone beetles are about 2 inches (5cm) long and have a metallic-looking exoskeleton that ranges in color from copper to green.
They are well-armored with even their rectangular head protected by what looks like a metallic plate.
Drone beetles eat tree sap, fruit juices, and flower nectar.
When in flight, they make a buzzing or “droning” sound.
They are related to Dung beetles which were made famous by their importance to ancient Egyptians for whom they represented the cycle of life. Dung beetles are believed to have inspired the process of mummification.
Drone beetles are found primarily in Japan - and in Animal Crossing.
Japanese drone beetles are different than Japanese beetles which are native to Japan but are now found in various areas worldwide, including parts of Europe and North America. They are a beautiful species but an especially aggressive turfgrass and ornamental plant pest.
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Beetles make up 40% of all known insects and account for 25% of all life on Earth. As for total insects, scientists believe there is a mind-boggling 10 quintillion of them. How much is that? 10 with 18 zeroes after it. For you visual learners, that number looks like this:
Do you ever meditate or considered doing so? Try it outside sometime. The early morning hours or near sunset are especially peaceful times, just as the natural world around you is waking up, or going to sleep, or actually, both.
Peace,
Dakota Duncan
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Did you know I write children’s adventure books? These make for fun summer reading. Check them out on my website: dakotaduncan.com or click on the book image below to go directly to Amazon.com.
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