USA odd insects

[Stylopidae]

So what kind of odd insects do the US members on these boards have?

There is a species of stag beetle that is native to the area that I live that I will collect and try to breed next summer. Also, giant water bugs, backswimmers and Rantra I am going to experiment with next summer.

Note: I'm interested in just seeing what insects are availible in the US. I mean no disrespect to the people who aren't from the US that post on these boards. I respect and envy your collections.

 

[T. Dawson]

I just started to look around for the possiblity of collecting with the intent to pin, though I guess its a little late this year. I found some of the smaller stags (I don't think we get the larger kind in Nebraska) COVERING a dead cottonwood last August. That same night I found a water scorpion along the shore where we were fishing. Notice how all of these I SAW, but it didn't even dawn on me at the time to try to bring a few back. Last month, when I was at a funeral, I saw some sort of VERY odd looking/big beetles right next to the casket. Unfortunatly, my wife saw me eye balling the thing, and quickly dashed all thoughts of capture. So as soon as it warms up, I plan on trying to keep an eye out for some of Nebraska's odd balls.
OH, and I'm in the works of trying to design a sort of tiger beetle vivarium, I find plenty of them outside my work at night.
Trevor

 

[NiGHTS]

I think one of the most stunning looking millipedes comes from right here in the states. For coloration, size, and ease of care, not much beats the Texas Millipede (orthoporus ornatus).