Critter Of Many Names!

  Today was obviously Bug Day and I had no idea.  Son was outside doing a bit of cleanup after some construction work and I was inside baking him some cookies. I figured one good turn deserves another and I have yet to see a young man turn down a plate of cookies!  Just as I was about to pop another tray into the oven, I sensed he was at the backdoor.  Ok, so what was up with that.  Sure enough, I checked and he was standing there.  "Umm, I am too dirty to come inside but I wanted to show you something." he stated.  I knew this had to be good!  Son does not get excited over critters but he knows I do.  I put down the cookie sheet (unbaked) and grabbed the camera.  Something was up!

  Sure enough, he had found a four inch long Spit Tobacco! Or, in fact, two of the critters. (It is mating season for these insects.)  This is not the true name and is only one of many given to this critter.  Spit Tobaccos, Devil's Horse, Prairie Alligator, Witch's Horse, Devil's Darning Needle and Musk Mare are all names given to the Two Striped Walking Stick.  As you can tell by the common names, most folks do not think too kindly of this critter and rightly so.  When agitated, this walking stick has a weird defense.  It has glands that create some pretty foul gunk and it can actually spit it at a predator.  The "spray" is actually toxic and if the critter can aim and hit the eyes of its predator, the stuff can actually temporarily blind it not to mention how painful it is.  I have heard tell that the walking sticks have remarkable aim so be careful if you find one!

  Pop was the one who taught me about "Spit Tobaccos".  As a kid, I was curious about all critters (still am) and wanted to hold everything.  Pop was pretty good about letting me explore but when I was in danger, he would let me know.  "Best steer clear of that one.  It will spit tobacco juice in your eyes and it will really hurt."  For the longest time, I truly thought that the critter chewed tobacco and would spit at me.  Well, I was partly right.  They do spit..just not tobacco juice.  Funny thing, any sort of tobacco product disgusts me to this day.  Ain't no critter gonna spit at me!

Fall Must Be Critter Time!

  As I am doing a bit of "fall cleaning" in the yard, I find all sorts of critters.  Our supply of firewood for the winter needed to be restacked so more could be added.  It is that time of year where we prepare for whatever may come our way during the winter.  Usually, it is more rain than snow or sleet but that does indeed make for messy woodcutting days.  I merely dumped the whole rack on the ground and started anew. Chunk after chunk of firewood was placed back on the rack.  I was feeling a bit smug as it looked so much better!  Nothing like a nice, neat stack to tidy up the place!  I reached for another piece and felt something crawl on the arm!  Ewww!  A huge Two-striped Walkingstick made a beeline for my shoulder!  Uh....NO!!  That just wasn't happening!  I flipped the critter off with a quick shake!  Ugh!  While I usually do not mind critters of any kind, these give me the heebie-jeebies and she was huge!  This lady was about four inches long without counting those two legs poking out front!

  The Two-striped Walkingstick is one of the large walkingsticks that inhabit the Southeast.  These critters munch on leaves at night and hide most of the day which is exactly what this girl thought she was doing. (Yes, I know this is a female because of her size.  The males are almost tiny in comparison!)  I feel like I must have disturbed her beauty sleep! I was careful not to harass her too very much, though, as I would have caught a hefty dose of her "spit".  Pop always called these things "Spit Tobaccos" as they can, indeed, spit a defensive bit of venom at a predator.  If caught in the eye, this "spit" can cause temporary blindness (up to five days!), excruciating pain and even an ulcerated cornea.  Obviously, they are not cute critters to hold!  I left this one be after photographing her!

 Besides Pop's nickname, the insect also goes by Devil's Horse, Devil's Needle, Witch's Horse, Stickhorse and Prairie Alligator.  Yep, with those lovely names attached to this critter, I do think it is fair warning that it is not a plaything.  Spit Tobaccos are not fun....interesting but not fun!