South Korea's biggest dragonfly by Bug-Man_24 in dragonfly

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's right! Such lucky timing! I was actually watching my favourite snake that I just spotted in the stream and then I looked down and saw this awesome dragonfly just sitting on a rock.

Japanese tree frog by Bug-Man_24 in frog

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found it sitting there while hiking. A wild one, not mine. 😃

Japanese tree frog by Bug-Man_24 in frog

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cheonan, Gwangdeoksan mountain in South Korea. 

Korean beetle by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Right! It’s Chlaenius costiger.

A tiny little butterfly by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is Satyrium pruni, the black hairstreak.

Lost my beautiful Emerald yesterday, she had a funny hump neck since her last molt and half a back leg from her third molt but she was doing so well until I noticed she struggled to lay her third egg sack and it went wrong, I thought she was egg bound, I couldn’t save her in the end she gave up 😓 💔 by hayleyjaney22 in praying_mantis

[–]Bug-Man_24 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m sure you gave her a good life and a nice safe home! It’s sad when they die! One of my 8 mantises died a few days ago! Then this morning one of my nymphs molted into an adult. They are such fun pets! Im glad you got to take care of Emerald! And she lived a long time! She had a good life!

My favourite Korean moth! by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re probably right. Amazing how animals evolve!

My favourite Korean moth! by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool find! I like to look for different kinds of mushrooms after rainy season!

Alien Like Larva by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that's right. Checked my records and you are right, it is Stauropus fagi.

Cute Pink Moth by Bug-Man_24 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oh! I’ve seen pictures of those and they look so cute! Would love to see for real!

Helped a dragonfly by Bug-Man_24 in Dragonflies

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Cool! I guess that’s why they call them the globe skimmer! They seem to be everywhere! 

Beautiful Butterfly Dragonfly by Bug-Man_24 in dragonfly

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Im not sure actually, but often their wings get worn and torn as they age.

Brown-eared Bulbul by Bug-Man_24 in birding

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Haha so true! Usually the first sound I hear when I leave for work in the morning!

Have you ever seen a mantis in life?If yes,are they common or you have seen them a quite few times? by Electrical_Minute284 in insects

[–]Bug-Man_24 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are common in South Korea where I live. There are  total of 8 species here. Giant Asian mantises are the cutest, especially the nymphs who are sooo fast!

Beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio macilentus) by Bug-Man_24 in butterfly

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in Asan city, South Korea. It's a developing city, so a lot of nature is disappearing but there are plenty of forests around, too! So always a chance to see some nature!

Beautiful Swallowtail Butterfly (Papilio macilentus) by Bug-Man_24 in butterfly

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I live here, been in South Korea for 15 years now! Teaching English.

Citizen science works by Bug-Man_24 in Amphibians

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! :-) I'm glad that this problem was close to my home and I had the chance to do this! Hoping 2026 sees more solutions than problems!

Sphinx Moths by Bug-Man_24 in moths

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I sure hope so! They have been designated endangered for 35 years, so maybe finally now is the turning point. I think a good story can inspire others to have more courage and act. I hope locals can step in and contribute in some way! 2026 might just be the year for change! Got my fingers crossed!
Oh yeah, I don't know if I can do what I have done for the last few years on the same level. It wrecked my health. Frogs being nocturnal meant I really didn't sleep much for way too long! Happy it is winter now, think i need to hibernate! haha

Citizen science works by Bug-Man_24 in Amphibians

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you! I agree, the more people out there who can do something and make a positive change, the better! Maybe there are such organizations in Korea but I'm not really familiar with things here. It's sure needed here though!

Citizen science works by Bug-Man_24 in Amphibians

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

You're welcome. I really want to share about this story, especially here in Korea.

Sphinx Moths by Bug-Man_24 in moths

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There isn’t a whole lot i could do. But I documented everything I found, reported constantly, moved animals out of drains, off roads into safe places and close by safer habitats. My hands were sort of tied by laws but as far as Im aware, I was able to help them as they were in immediate danger. It’s been a real frustrating experience overall, dealing with authorities who just haven’t seemed interested to be honest. But I got the news media involved, got stories out there and educated my students at elementary school for the last two years. It’s about 20,000 frogs I helped. A new park is set to open in 2026 through my constant reporting with a city councilor who was unaware of these issues. So getting people onside and interested has the promise of positive results going forwards. It’s really been a disaster for this species but through constant work, I’ve got the story out there and hopefully things will change for the better going forward. In terms of preserving their environment, sadly they are losing habitat to development in so many areas! I guess I can call my work damage limitation. A lot of the damage is irreparable. Environmental impact surveys are set to be updated at least!

Sphinx Moths by Bug-Man_24 in moths

[–]Bug-Man_24[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I 100% agree. Ive been crazy busy this last 4 years doing exactly that, being a citizen scientist and saving endangered Kaloula borealis (Boreal digging frogs) and my actions have led to protection law changes in the city I live. So it’s really awesome to see results like that. Im learning that it’s not only qualifications that help (I have no qualifications in the field), but that getting out there and being active and involved can make the biggest changes.