Okay, so I got this crazy idea the other day to really dive into the world of beetles here in Texas. I mean, we’ve got tons of ’em, right? So, I figured, why not try to find and identify as many as I can? It sounded like a fun, kinda nerdy weekend project.
Getting Started
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First thing I did was hit up the internet. I just started Googling “beetles in Texas” and, man, was there a lot of information. I found some cool pictures and some basic guides, but it was all a bit overwhelming. I needed a plan.
So, I grabbed a notebook and a pen – old school, I know – and started jotting down some notes. I figured I needed a few things:
- A net: Gotta catch those little guys somehow!
- Some jars: For temporary housing, of course. I poked some holes in the lids for air.
- A field guide: Something with pictures, ideally. I’m no expert.
- A good location: My backyard is okay, but I wanted somewhere with more… variety.
I managed to find a cheap net at a local store. The jars I already had (I save everything, don’t judge). For the field guide, I ended up ordering one online. It looked pretty comprehensive, with lots of color photos. While I waited for it to arrive I prepared.
The Hunt Begins
With the field guide in hand, I was ready to go. I picked a nearby park that has a good mix of trees, open fields, and even a little creek. Seemed like prime beetle territory.
The first day was… slow. I spent a lot of time just wandering around, flipping over rocks and logs, peering at leaves. I saw a few beetles, but they were either too fast or I couldn’t get a good enough look to identify them. I did manage to catch a couple of small, black beetles in my jar, but they just looked like… well, small, black beetles. My field guide wasn’t much help there.
I didn’t give up, though. I went back the next day, and things started to pick up. I found a bright green beetle on a flower – that one was easy to identify! It was a Green June Beetle, according to my book. I also found a really cool-looking one with long antennae under a piece of bark. That took a bit more digging in the guide, but I eventually figured out it was a type of Longhorn Beetle.
The Results (So Far)
I’ve been at this for a few weekends now, and I’ve actually identified quite a few different beetles. I’ve got a little collection of notes and sketches in my notebook. It’s not exactly scientific, but it’s been really fun. And I’ve learned a lot more about these little creatures than I ever thought I would.
I’m still no expert. There are still tons of beetles out there that I have no idea what they are. But that’s part of the fun, right? It’s like a never-ending scavenger hunt. And hey, maybe one day I’ll actually be able to tell all those little black beetles apart!
