Cucaracha!

Okay, so indulge me - I just had to share these pictures of Marika, my favorite amateur entomologist. We were on our way into Barnes & Noble when she stopped me to point out a rather large cockroach. Now, this is probably my least favorite insect in the whole world, but... considering it's rather large, it's kind of a nice show piece in an insect collection. So, on the way back out, we used an empty snack bag (you don't REALLY think I carry around clean empty plastic bags just to collect insects, do you?!) and collected her. Something must have been wrong with her because she was alive, but didn't even try to dart away.

She was a good-sized cockroach, but I have seen bigger in university buildings... (there must be something in there that makes them so big!)...

I really love that Marika shares my fascination with insects. The only insect I've noticed her apprehensive about touching is the honey bee, which surprises me - but I think it's because she's afraid she'll be accidentally stung, even if the bee is near death or dead. Well, that's not a bad fear and I don't really want her going after honey bees, so I'll let that one slide... ;)