HikeArizona.COM

So I just read an article about the world's largest insect, the Giant Weta, which lives in New Zealand. Yeah, it looks absolutely crazy! And it eats carrots.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... mouse.html



But let's get this back to Arizona: For the purposes of this discussion, I'll allow arachnids to be included, despite not being insects. We've obviously got plenty of scorpions. And of course big, hairy tarantulas. I personally don't care much for things that fly that I don't expect to fly. Such as 2-inch long sewer roaches. On the ground they don't bother me. But those pumpkins can FLY!

There's also a huge black beetle I've seen on my house at night before. I don't know what it is, but it's palm-sized and also can fly. That thing is bigger than some birds I've seen. Also not a fan.

Other least-favorite Arizona critters?

ARGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

@chumley That would be a Palo Verde Beetle and I hate them. They usually don't fly until you are right next to them and I hate them. I've heard that they are underground in the Palo Verde roots for 7 years before they emerge, but I don't think that's entirely true. They do seem to be more present in some years versus others.

Giant Centipedes those suckers can move to

Vinegaroons, I don't know why but they gross me more than scorps.

Alston Neal wrote:Vinegaroons, I don't know why but they gross me more than scorps.

I know why! Just the name suggests that it might be edible! Although Vinegar Cookies don't sound that good either. :yuck:

I've lived in AZ all my life and can honestly say I've never seen a Vinegaroon. Until thi spost, I had never even haerd of them. They do look pretty dicey.
My vote goes to the Bark Scorpion, only because I've been stung by one. I swear, if Satan ever shows his true form, he will look just like a Bark Scorpion!

paulhubbard wrote:I've lived in AZ all my life and can honestly say I've never seen a Vinegaroon. Until this post, I had never even haerd of them. They do look pretty dicey.

Ditto. WTF is that thing? I just looked up and apparently it is non-venomous ... but can/does it bite people?

chumley wrote:Ditto. WTF is that thing? I just looked up and apparently it is non-venomous ... but can/does it bite people?

Looks like a cross between a Scorpion and a Beetle! Apparently it's major means of defense is that it emits vinegar! Apparently some people may be allergic to this type of vinegar so handling is not recommended. It is in the Arachnid family and is considered a type of Whip Scorpion, but it does not have a stinger! I guess Arachnid enthusiasts love to have them in their collection, lol! They are nocturnal, which I guess explains why we probably never see them....

Trivia time: Do you know of a place in Arizona named after the Vinegaroon? (I do!)

I don't like June Bugs. Freaky buggers. Also, mosquitos.

azbackpackr wrote:Trivia time: Do you know of a place in Arizona named after the Vinegaroon? (I do!)

Ok, I can't wait any longer. Here's a map. You figure it out: http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1258

Camel Spider. I shrieked in a very embarrassing manner when I encountered one of those guys run past me at night in the desert near Tombstone last year.

Gotta go with the tarantula hawk. They are beautiful and fascinating to watch, but they hurt beyond belief if you get stung. They are in fact considered to be among the most painful insect stings in the entire world. Yikes!

@autumnstars
i had one of those get stuck in my hair the last time i hiked romero pools in the dark/dawn hours of the summer...

azpride wrote:Camel Spider. I shrieked in a very embarrassing manner when I encountered one of those guys run past me at night in the desert near Tombstone last year.

Oh, the sounds I would make if I saw one. Would have to change my pants as well.

Ackk! I think I am going to have nightmares about giant zombie carrot-eating grasshoppers after seeing that first photo!!!!!

But I think they're SOOOO cute! ;)

P.S. No one seemed too interested in my Arizona place name trivia quiz. So, since you are so not interested, I will tell you anyway. It's Vinegarroon Wash. (Note spelling, which Wikipedia says is one of two correct spellings.) It is a really big wash on the east side of the Muggins Mountains, not in the designated wilderness area. When I went backpacking in that area 3 years ago, we started the hike on the west side of the range in my friend's front yard in Dome Valley. On the second day, we got up to the top of a hill and looked down at Vinegarroon Wash, but we didn't hike down to it. That is some dry, rough country out there, but interesting. http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=1258

Is it weird if I find the giant carrot eating cricket a little cute? Give him a cane and green top hat...hmmm. Did Walt Disney ever visit Australia? Place/Name Trivia answer is Vinegarroon Wash (The map and your previous post helped AzBackpackr). Do I win anything? I am not sure about creepy critters, the Az Giant Centipede looks pretty menacing. The only bug that has forced me off trail is a swarm of Blister Beetles those clowns fly for pumpkin and if they land on you things can get messy.

Ok, WmnWendi, that's a new one on me. Blister Beetles? Sounds like the name of a punk rock band.

Vinegarroon Wash looks like it would be a place worth visiting if you are four-wheeling in the Yuma area. Or mtn. biking. I used to like mtn. biking those desert roads.

Do you win anything? I'll have to think about it. How about a shadow box display with a dead vinegaroon stick-pinned in it, to hang in the front hallway. Aunt Mildred would really like that when she comes to visit you.