What could be a "pocket" insect?

[Scythemantis]

I don't hunt or fish, but for more than half of my life I've kept a fishing vest with me wherever I go (I've gone through three of them) which is filled with every useful portable item imaginable and loads of completely useless things.

The only thing I don't keep with my in my pockets is some sort of life-form.

I use a sturdy plastic pepper-shaker as an emergency "bug jar" when I'm out, and it fits nicely into one of the front pockets. What might be hardy enough to survive in one full-time? It'd have to not mind the ocassional jostling or temperature shift, obviously, but I do take pretty good care of my vest...there's electronics in it, after all, so it never gets left in a hot car or anything.

A cockroach would be the obvious one to try, but how hardy are silverfish? I like them a little better.

I would try to find a somewhat larger (but equally durable) container than the shaker, and glue or simply lodge some bark inside to create terrain that won't slide around (some big, dead leaves would probably be good too)

 

[Randolph XX()]

used to keep jumping spiders in clear film box in my pockets..
as for insects, i'd say some small shinny ground beetles would be nice
but i'll go for the roaches anyway

 

[Dark Raptor]

I think small darkling beetles (like Tribolium or Alphitobius species) or bruchid beetles (like Acanthoscelides obtectus) would be nice. They are rather very resistant to highier temperatures, but temperature below 5 degrees C can be lethal for them.
For Tenebrionidae species you need the same things as for Tenebrio molitor (except they are much smaller). For A. obtectus you need only dry bean.

 

[cacoseraph]

black widow

tough as abstract algebra and once they are in a good web jostling shouldn't matter

 

[Elizabeth]

I think with silverfish, wouldn't you have to pay more attention to not letting it dry out? Of course, a moist paper towel piece would do it, so if you love silverfish, try it!

I like millipedes for fun little distractions. Tough. Pretty. Easy to handle. Can't get away in one jump or whatever.


Pill bugs are fun enough, too, and you could get quite a few into pepper shaker. Those need moisture, too, though.

 

[Lycanthrope]

When I was a kid, I used to keep a P. audax in a matchbox in my pocket. I had cut out the top of the matchbox and taped a clear piece of plastic in it's place.

 

[Black Hawk]

i find this conversation fascinating, i never knew any invert could be kept in a small compact enclosure for on the go viewing. this new idea has me WAY excited! i want to keep a jumping spider in my pocket!!!!!

 

[nomad85]

your all crazy its a compliment

 

[Dark Raptor]

Don't forget about Collembola
Also some Dermaptera species, like Forficula auricularia, can be kept in small boxes. Other darkling beetles like Opatrum sabulosum, Bolitophagus reticulatus and Diaperis boleti don't need much space. The last two species need Fomes fomentarius tree fungus. Also other species living in this type of environment can be kept in this way. I've got some experience with families Cisidae (or Ciidae) and Scolytidae (now subfamily Scolytinae in Curculionidae family).
I also using film boxes to keep juping spiders and other species like these belonging to Clubionidae and Lycosidae families.

And if you are still bored... you can make small aquarium with Hydracarina Some species have got very beautifull colors.

 

[NiGHTS]

Hey Scythemantis - what is that picture you're using for an avatar? Looks like something Kamen Rider would beat up ...ok now back to the regularly scheduled discussion...

 

[Beth-Tex]

When I was a kid in Germany, we used to keep a bug that looks similiar to the June bug here, in a match box with one little leaf that it ate. We all used to carry these around as no one could afford a "real" pet in those days. After a few days, we would release the bug & catch a new one. I don't have a German keyboard for the umlaut, but it was called a Maikafer.(May bug)
The bug was seasonal.

Just a little bit of worthless trivia info. :razz:

Beth

 

[Scythemantis]

(I've only seen the corny americanized Masked Rider, but I think it IS a kamen rider monster. I have loads of sentai monster pics)

I think I'll go with a darkling beetle, one of the desert species that doesn't need too much humidity.

 

[NiGHTS]

It seems like a lot of fans of Japanese hero shows (sentai, metal hero, kamen rider, etc) eventually get into inverts. I'm guessing its because of all the kool bug based monsters they use in those shows. I know it's what got me into this in the first place

 

[8 legged freak]

(this is such a good conversation lol ) i one kept a tiny millipede bout
|------| this long i found at school in a pen before i could house it into a proper "fish bowl" it isnt a tropical species so it doesnt need anything special and i've ha dit for months now i usually take it places with me (not in the pen)

 

[thedreadedone]

Sorry, but i'm a little bit confused.
Why do you want to have a portable pocket pet?

 

[Scythemantis]

Same reason I have them in my house...because I like them It just seems like a fun idea, wether or not there's any "productive" reason.

It seems like a lot of fans of Japanese hero shows (sentai, metal hero, kamen rider, etc) eventually get into inverts. I'm guessing its because of all the kool bug based monsters they use in those shows. I know it's what got me into this in the first place

Other way around for me, though I've been a fan of all monsters (invert and otherwise) ever since I was a toddler. I drove people insane when I was little talking about insects and monsters 24/7. Sadly (or maybe not sadly at all?) I haven't really changed.

 

[cacoseraph]

Sorry, but i'm a little bit confused.
Why do you want to have a portable pocket pet?

plus having something in one of my pockets that is alive has saved at least one human from dying by my hands

. o O (i really want to smash that guy... but i got this bug in my pocket...)

hehehehehee

 

[Dark Raptor]

And remember that you don't need any box to keep Anoplura and Mallophaga very, very close to your body

 

[JustBugs]

Pocket Pet Insect

I thought the obvious answer was going to be crickets.

Do a search on Ebay and you'll find all types of boxes for the keeping of them, primarily from the Orient.

They're available in brass, jade, ivory and other various materials.

Not only would you have a pet but you would know the temperature too

 

[rgfx]

Sorry, but i'm a little bit confused.
Why do you want to have a portable pocket pet?

I don't get it either!

everyone else: are you joking, mad, or under 10?