Insects and Bugs of Oregon - Nature Photography, up close, by Phil Huntley-Franck, at where art meets the heart

DEFINITIONS:
I've long called insects bugs. Likewise, I've called bugs insects. And I will continue to use the words interchangeably. However, since photographing and identifying them, I've learned that only "True Bugs" are truely bugs. By definition (American Heritage Dictionary) "True Bugs" are a wingless or four-winged insect of the order Hemiptera, especially of the suborder Heteroptera, including the bedbug, louse, stink bug, flat bug, broad-shouldered bug and chinch bug, having mouthparts adapted for piercing and sucking. Insects, on the other hand, are defined as any of numerous usually small arthropod animals of the class Insecta, having an adult stage characterized by three pairs of legs and a body segmented into head, thorax, and abdomen and usually having two pairs of wings (flies have only one pair). Insects include the flies, crickets, mosquitoes, beetles, butterflies, bees, etc. and any of various similar arthropod animals, such as spiders, centipedes, and ticks.

PURPOSE:
This image gallery has been created to assist visitors with answering that age old question, "What's that bug?" Currently, the bug/insect identification is specific to those in Douglas County, Elkton, Oregon - basically, everything that shows up in and around my yard. These bugs/insects are, however, found in many other parts of the U.S., therefore the images should help in identification of bugs outside this area, as well. Please note: as in every yard, there are a myriad different creatures to be found, and I've barely scratched the surface - I seem to be discovering new ones almost every day. Rest assured, as I find, photograph and identify new bugs - no matter the kind - they will be added to the gallery.

PHOTOGRAPHIC LOCATIONS, DATES AND CAMERA SETTINGS:
- Unless otherwise noted, all Bug images were taken in Northern Douglas County, in and around Elkton, Oregon.

- The date each photograph was taken appears under each thumbnail image.

- Camera settings for each image are presented on the enlargement page for that image. To view an enlargement, click the thumbnail image you wish to see enlarged.

Separated from eastern, typical species by dark appendages and expanded black markings.

There are many types of Longhorn Borer Beetles, some with spectacular patterns and colors. I wasn't able to ID this fellow beyond family designation. If you know the genus or species names of this one, please let me know.

These beetles don't seem to be very good at landing on their feet. About half of what I find are lying on their backs with their little legs slowly waving in the air. These beetles are, however, very good at landing in any dish filled with water, especially on a rainy day.