# Today in nature I saw **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [July 20, 2020, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854 "2020-07-20T18:22:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 221
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4404 "2026-10-12T20:53:08Z")
> [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Any beast called _insidiosus_ must be a real nuisance. An “assassin” bug - I’m sure the thrips agree 🙂. Not to be confused with [Assassin Bugs](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reduviidae) who are probably in a reasonably closely related family to the pirate bugs. > [@Pardel-Lux](#): > > Speaking of posers: _**[laevigatus](https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/levigatus#Latin)**_, OTOH, is a bit surprising by comparison. Smooth? Light? Polished? Yes, in this case apparently referring to the smooth [hemielytra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elytron). Most of the Orius apparently have various surface features, whereas laevigatus purportedly has a smoother, shinier version than normal. Honestly just now staring at pictures of both I can’t tell the difference. It might be something you need a microscope or at least dissecting scope for. At any rate insect taxonomists (really alpha taxonomists generally) are always hard-up for appropriate Latinate specific epithets. There are just so many bugs. They try to use descriptive ones, but when they are running short on inspiration they’ll use names that could very well apply to any number of species. Or they just get lazy. Your Grus grus - the ‘Crane crane’ for the Common Crane. Or one of my personal favorites - Xanthcephalus xanthocephalus, the ‘Yellow-headed yellow-head’ for the [Yellow-headed Blackbird](https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Yellow-headed_Blackbird/overview). Which, yes - I have to admit the males at least do indeed have a very yellow head. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4405 "2026-10-12T21:36:42Z")
Local (western Michigan) wildflower: [![Imgur](https://i.imgur.com/sndmyls.jpeg "Local wildflower") ](https://imgur.com/gallery/local-wildflower-ejydo9A#sndmyls) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4406 "2026-10-13T12:27:37Z")
Wow! I thought the aliens had finally heard my pleas, but it was only the cloud left by the SpaceX rocket launch this morning. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55586904293_441a5eb5e6_b.jpg "Rocket launch") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/55586904293/) ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4407 "2026-10-13T14:16:43Z")
> [@Tamerlane](#): > > If you live near a commercial greenhouse, they just might be contributing to your discomfort. I had no idea that they were used in greenhouses. I can now dazzle everyone with more info about the pirate bug! People were quite impressed when I told them what they were. Everyone thought they were noseeums. There are no greenhouses near by. I’ve actually only noticed them in the last few years. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4408 "2026-10-14T01:55:07Z")
Very cool! ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4409 "2026-10-18T18:24:18Z")
Back on 18 Nov ‘23 I posted a photo of an albino (leucistic?) grey squirrel that we spotted in Priory Park, Reigate. We saw him/her several times over a couple of weeks, never since. Until today (possibly). [![Google Photos](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AP1GczNNZAItZIiMwosQ80M31NWtZW0ncqhnFOqoAUumj1GjsNUD_F8gb1MOEb3eLlMMaiUE8iKdIeNPLaHbMndXifiEUSMLzcpKNTETw1UIfnAyDvZTMZs=w600-h315-p-k "New photo · Sunday, Oct 18 📸") ](https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipMl8_ofLFeUJcnsZHW53fQ64unU5h5kvNfYZKgxHGJNOL7LO6TlX-GB41WFMhZCxg?key=Rk5CS1V2X0J5Wm5hVnctV3VqNlI1LXI2QkFNcFF3) In the exact same place, down to a couple of meters. This is on a regular walk of ours. So: if that’s the same squirrel, where have they been for three years? (They live up to six years and, iirc, lifespan isn’t significantly shortened by albinism). And if it’s a new one, does that mean that the location population has a genetic peculiarity that means they produce an albino every now and again? j ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4410 "2026-10-18T18:46:07Z")
Could just be a child or grandchild of the original one. Whether their lifespan is shortened by albinism probably depends on how many predators there are around there. That little guy is definitely easier to see than the typical squirrel. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4411 "2026-10-18T18:50:41Z")
Melanism among squirrels has a genetic component: > **[Black squirrel](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_squirrel)** > > Black squirrels are a melanistic subgroup of squirrels with black coloration on their fur. The phenomenon occurs with several species of squirrels, although it is most frequent with the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger). Black morphs of the eastern gray and fox squirrels are the result of a variant pigment gene. Several theories have surfaced as to why the black morph occurs, with some suggesting that the black morph is a selective advantage for sq... Brian ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4412 "2026-10-18T18:54:23Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > albino (leucistic?) grey squirrel Judging from those very pink ears and pink-looking eyes I’m thinking albino is the right call. I’ve seen a ton of melanistic squirrels in my time (though not for very many years now, they’re not common around here), but I don’t think I’ve run across an actual albino before. ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4413 "2026-10-18T19:14:18Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > Could just be a child or grandchild of the original one. True, but that wouldn’t explain the protracted gap between sightings. As you point out, a pure white squirrel stands out like a sore thumb; and we do that walk well into double figures per year. All the sightings were in an area about the size of our living room (really). A cluster of sightings, then nothing for years, then another sighting. Odd. j ---
**Author:** ![Treppenwitz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treppenwitz/32/3445_2.png) [@Treppenwitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Treppenwitz)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4414 "2026-10-18T19:17:45Z")
If it hangs around I’ll try to get a better shot. Thanks for the analysis! j ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2026, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4415 "2026-10-18T21:48:38Z")
> [@Treppenwitz](#): > > True, but that wouldn’t explain the protracted gap between sightings. It might. If, for instance, the gene for albinism is recessive, then the original white squirrel’s offspring might all have been carriers but had normal color , until two of its descendants that were carriers of the gene mated with each other and produced another white one. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4416 "2026-10-19T14:59:21Z")
Late this past spring, I planted some sunflowers just for the heck of it. By September, I had 4 plants. Two of the plants were at least 10’ tall and all of them had an abundance of flowers and buds on them. They were gorgeous. I fretted about the cold weather and that they would die soon. Well, they’ve had some help. The flowers had been dying for a week or so just because they came to the end of their lives. But one day I noticed that the flowers had completely disappeared from one of the stalks and another stalk was totally gone. A few hours later, I saw a big gray squirrel sitting on top of the fence with a sunflower head in his hands (paws), chomping away. He didn’t bother pulling out the seeds, he ate the whole middle of the flower. I think I’ll just cut the rest down and disperse what’s left of the flowers around the yard. I am now excited to plant a whole lot more sunflowers next year. ---
**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4417 "2026-10-19T19:08:21Z")
Feral horse, Monument Valley. [![](https://i.postimg.cc/BbSHMgqg/DSC-5297.jpg) ](https://i.postimg.cc/BbSHMgqg/DSC-5297.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4418 "2026-10-19T19:14:30Z")
Oh my gosh! That is an amazing picture! ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4419 "2026-10-21T16:48:20Z")
One of my dogs found a baby squirrel in the yard yesterday, or maybe it found him. I saw him dancing all around with something that looked like a little toad jumping all around his feet. It was too quick for me to grab (and I also didn’t want to get bitten), but I got them separated. The baby hunkered down next to a fence post. I had to ask myself if I wanted a pet squirrel, and the answer was, of course I do, but I came up with several good reasons not to try it. Hopefully the little thing found its way home again. [![Imgur](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55603936464_e6cb504a94_b.jpg "Squirrel") ](https://www.flickr.com/photos/45215582@N06/55603936464/) ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854/4420 "2026-10-25T23:53:48Z")
> [@Shoeless](#): > > Speaking of gophers, I think I may have seen one on my walk around the neighborhood. It went running across the street in front of me. We have lots of gray squirrels and a few rabbits around here. This thing was roughly squirrel sized but had a short tail and the fur was more brown than gray. Since it was running across the street away from me, I didn’t get a real good look at it. Maybe somebody’s pet critter escaped? Pretty sure now that the “gopher” I thought I saw back in July was in fact a squirrel. A few times lately I have seen a squirrel with a short stubby tail while I am out walking around the neighborhood. Now I’m curious how it managed to lose its tail. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/today-in-nature-i-saw/915854.md?page=220)