SWARMING DADDY LONGLEGS! The explanation behind the creepy phenomenon

So, fellow nerds, what's with this video circulating on Facebook and Youtube?



First of all, these are not spiders. They are harvestmen or daddy-longlegs. For those of you who remember the ol' mnemonic device for taxonomy, King Philip Can Order Fresh Green Salad (Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus and Species), these critters, like spiders, scorpions and ticks, are in the class Arachnida. However, harvestmen belong to their own order, Opiliones.

So what's the difference?

1. Harvestmen have a single cephalothorax and a single pair of eyes. True spiders have a narrow "waist" that creates two segments, the cephalothorax and abdomen.
2. Harvestmen have a single pair of eyes. True spiders most commonly have eight eyes, however they can have no eyes, or as many as 12 eyes.
3. Harvestmen are nonvenomous.
4. Harvestmen have no spinnerets, so they do not spin webs.
5. Harvestmen are older than spiders--the oldest fossil, from Scotland, is at least 400 million years old. True spiders are about 300 million years old.
6. Harvestmen are omnivores--they eat dead stuff, bird droppings, fungus and small arthropods and slugs.

Finally, the question every one is asking. WHY DO THEY DO THIS? They mass for defensive purposes, and to keep themselves warm. Harvestmen possess a pair of stinky glands called ozopores; when they mass, the combined smell can be quite disturbing. Swarming also makes them appear larger. When disturbed, the entire throng will sometimes bob and sway--a truly unsettling effect.

Learn more about harvestmen/daddy long legs:

http://spiders.ucr.edu/daddylonglegs.html

http://www.newsweek.com/video-science-explains-why-thousands-daddy-longlegs-swarmed-house-312362

http://mentalfloss.com/article/59455/15-fascinating-facts-about-daddy-longlegs

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EASY BUTTERFLY ORIGAMI INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEO AND BOOK

Video step-by-step directions for folding patterns from my new book, "Easy Butterfly Origami" featuring 30 bold full-color patterns designed to accurately portray the dorsal and ventral sides of some of the most beautiful butterflies from around the world!

Fun facts about behavior and distribution accompany each butterfly model!

From the vivid green Cairns Birdwing to the striped Tiger Swallowtail and the Blood Red Glider, these beautiful butterflies feature a kaleidoscopic array of colors and patterns. Includes simple instructions for folding, and perforated pages for easy removal.

Many butterflies have iridescent patterns on the top, and drab undersides for camouflage while they rest with their wings folded up. The origami patterns in this book are specially designed to highlight the diversity of species--when folded, the models accurately portray the variation in the insects' top and bottom views.

Each butterfly model is accompanied by fun facts about behavior and distribution. For example, did you know that the Mountain Alcon Blue butterfly tricks ants into feeding and protecting its caterpillars? Other caterpillars, like the Moth Butterfly, are carnivorous and feed on ant larvae and pupae.
 
List of butterflies included in the book:

1. Apollo
2. Black Swallowtail
3. Blood Red Glider
4. Blue Morpho
5. Boulder Copper
6. Cairns Birdwing
7. Chestnut Tiger
8. Claudina
9. Cleopatra
10. Colorado Hairstreak
11. Common Buckeye
12. Dead Leaf
13. Emperor of India
14. Malachite
15. Malaysian Clipper
16. Mocker Swallowtail
17. Monarch
18. Moth Butterfly
19. Mountain Alcon Blue
20. Noble Leafwing
21. Painted Beauty
22. Painted Lady
23. Pansy Daggerwing
24. Peacock
25. Purple Spotted Swallowtail
26. Queen Purple Tip
27. Red Flasher
28. Shining Red Charaxes
29. Tentyris Forester
30. Tiger Swallowtail

You can order your copy at: http://store.doverpublications.com/0486784576.html

More information: www.doverpublications.com

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SCBWI Authors at the 68th Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale

The 68th Annual Friends of the Library Book Sale starts this weekend on Saturday, June 20, and Sunday, June 21 at McKinley High School! Authors and illustrators from SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) will be selling and signing their brand new children's books and art work in the blue tent in front of the the cafeteria. A portion of sales will be going to support Friends of the Library of Hawaii.

The FLH Book Sale is an island tradition that attracts over 20,000 readers of all ages and backgrounds and features bargains and a selection of titles to rival any bookstore. Stock up on your summer reading, or just stop by to say hello!

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Free Discussion on Writing Children's Books (SCBWI Hawaii)

Saturday, May 16, 2015, 2:00-4:00pm
So You Want To Write A Children's Book?
At the Hawaii State Library, 478 S King St, Honolulu, HI 96813

Are you working on a picture book, an early chapter book fiction, middle grade fiction, young adult fiction, poetry or non-fiction? Join us for a free discussion for beginners on what you should know about writing and illustrating for children. Hear how voice, language and content are affected by stages of childhood development and learn about various categories of children's books, so you can develop a sense of who your target audience.

Presented by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), featuring Leslie Hayashi, Sue Cowing, Kirsten Carlson, Nancy Reynolds and Tammy Yee.

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Interested in Writing and Illustrating Children's Books?

Registration is now open for the 

SCBWI-HAWAII (Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators) 

2015 ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN HONOLULU, HAWAII 

MARCH 6-7 

This year's annual craft workshop and conference will feature three special guests: authors Susan Fletcher and Sarah Ellis, and Associate Editor Kat Brzozowski. The optional craft workshop, led by Susan and Sarah, will help you hone your skills in plotting. The full-day conference will feature breakout sessions by Susan, Sarah and Kat, first-page critiques, optional manuscript and portfolio critiques by professionals, and ample networking opportunities. Space is limited, so sign up now!

https://hawaii.scbwi.org/events/2015-scbwi-hawaii-annual-conference/

http://hawaii.scbwi.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/32/files/2015/01/Registration-Packet-AC-2015.pdf

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Holiday Book Signing!

Saturday, December 20, 2014

11am-1pm

at

Native Books in Ward Warehouse

1050 Ala Moana Boulevard

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Spinning a Tale as Old as Time: Writer’s Workshop with Tracy Barrett

Date/Time
Date(s) - 01/10/2015
9:00 am - 2:00 pm
 
Location
Aina Haina Public Library
5246 Kalanianaole Hwy - Honolulu, Hawaii 96821

Tuition 
Non-Members $50; SCBWI Members $25
CONTACT hawaii@scbwi.org FOR INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Advance registration required.
Limited Seating.

Interested in writing nonfiction or historical fiction for children and young adults? Tracy Barrett, an award-winning author of numerous books and magazine articles for young readers, will be holding a writer's workshop on January 10, 2015 at the Aina Haina Public Library. The workshop will be a combination of lecture/presentation and participant involvement.

Tracy holds a Bachelor's Degree with honors in Classics-Archaeology from Brown University and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Medieval Italian Literature from the University of California, Berkeley. She taught at Vanderbilt University for twenty-eight years. Her scholarly interests in the ancient and medieval worlds overlap in her fiction and nonfiction works.

A grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities to study medieval women writers led to the writing of her award-winning young-adult novel, Anna of Byzantium(Delacorte). Her most recent publications are Dark of the Moon (Harcourt) a YA retelling of the myth of the minotaur, King of Ithaka, a YA novel based on Homer's Odyssey; the popular middle-grade series The Sherlock Files (both Henry Holt) and The Stepsister’s Tale (Harlequin Teen, 2014) which received starred reviews from both Publisher’s Weekly and Kirkus and was a PW Book of the Week.

Read more about Tracy Barrett at her website: http://www.tracybarrett.com/bio.htm

Registration and information: hawaii@scbwi.org

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Aspiring Keiki Artists at Our Lady of Good Counsel

Mahalo to the keiki at Our Lady of Good Counsel in Pearl City! It was fun sharing my books and art with eager students. And special thanks to all the aspiring artists who drew pictures from my books!

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Lee & Low's New Voices Award Contest

Lee & Low's New Voices Award writing contest is now open for submissions! The deadline is September 30, 2014, so get those manuscripts in ASAP. The New Voices Award is one way to help new authors of color break into publishing.

https://www.leeandlow.com/writers-illustrators/new-voices-award

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Family Book Night Interview

Interview on Family Book Night Blog:

An Interview with Tammy Yee

Tammy Yee is the author/illustrator of more than 24 children's books set in the Hawaiian Islands. I feel very fortunate to have had the opportunity to interview Tammy about her projects and what she enjoys most about being an author and illustrator. You can read more about Tammy and her many projects at tammyyee.com.

You've written and illustrated a number of books. Do you have a preference for either writing or illustrating?

I love both writing and illustrating. I tend to be very visual as I create--a book develops like a movie or a storyboard in my mind, with different parts of my brain toggling on and off. As a writer, I begin with a blank canvas that I must fill with interesting characters and a fresh, compelling story. As an illustrator, I'm given a story and I must create a visual world that doesn't merely interpret, but adds to that story. Because writing is more intellectually and creatively challenging, it can be tempestuous. Because illustrating (32 pages of art) is more physically challenging, it can be arduous. Both are just as gratifying.

Read more...

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Read To Me International’s The Write On! Writers’ Conference

Australia’s best-selling children’s book author and literacy advocate Mem Fox will open Read To Me International’s The Write On! Writers’ Conference with an interactive presentation covering today’s most interesting and important literacy and writing topics. Her engaging half-day session will cover reading to children using the highest standards, identifying what makes a good story for young children, how teachers can inspire writing in children at any age, and tips on what not to do when teaching writing.

Renown Hawaii children’s book author and illustrator Tammy Yee is the featured conference luncheon speaker. Her more than 24 books, which reflects the beauty and aloha of Hawaii, include the Tsunami Quilt, A Is For Aloha, Lullaby Moon, and Baby Honu’s Incredible Journey. 

Thursday, June 5, 2014, at the Japanese Cultural Center of Hawai‘i

Pre-registration is required to attend. Attendance is limited to 200 participants. Download the registration form online: www.readtomeintl.org 

  

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Children's Literature Hawaii Biennial Conference

Children's Literature Hawaii will be holding their Seventeenth Biennial Conference "Beyond the Moon: Journeys Imaginary and Real" on June 5-7, 2014 at Chaminade University. Special guests include Kathi Appelt and Grace Lin. 

For more information, visithttp://www.childrensliteraturehi.org/ andhttps://www.facebook.com/CLH2014conference

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2014 LORIN TARR GILL BIENNIAL WRITING COMPETITION

This writing competition is open to all writers in the fields of Fiction, Nonfiction & Poetry.

Cash awards will be presented in the following categories:
            First Place                               $125
            Second Place                           $100
            Third Place                              $75
            Honorable Mention                  $25

You may submit one entry only in each category.

Entries should not have been previously published.
Authors retain all rights and may submit their entries elsewhere.

Maximum Length:

• Fiction and Nonfiction: 8 pages, double-spaced, using standard 12-point font
• Poetry: 40 lines, single-spaced, using standard 12-point font

Place the title and page number ONLY on each document page. Do NOT include your name, as judges will receive unmarked entries.

Submit a separate cover page for each entry with:

• Full title of entry
• Author’s full name (no pen names)
• Mailing address, phone number, and email address.

EMAIL ENTRIES to the 2014 Lorin Tarr Gill Chair Susan Killeen: LTG@nlapwhonolulu.org

Entry fee: $10 for each entry (Since only one entry is allowed per category, the maximum fee would be $30 for one entry in Fiction, Nonfiction and Poetry.)

MAIL CHECKS for entry fees, payable to "NLAPW-Honolulu" to:

Susan Killeen
1570 Bertram St.
Honolulu, HI 96816

                     
DEADLINE: March 31, 2014


Winners will be notified in advance.

Awards will be presented at the May 5th, 2014 Honolulu Pen Women meeting at the Pacific Club, 1451 Queen Emma Street, Honolulu 96813.


Presented by
NATIONAL LEAGUE OF AMERICAN PEN WOMEN – HONOLULU BRANCH
www.nlapwhonolulu.org

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SCBWI-Hawaii Annual Conference: Do You Want to Write Children's Books?

2014 SCBWI-HAWAII ANNUAL CONFERENCE

With author Matt de la Peña

and literary agent Marietta Zacker

FEBRUARY 28, 2014
WRITER'S WORKSHOP WITH MATT DE LA PENA: EVERYTHING I KNOW ABOUT WRITING NOVELS FOR KIDS AND HOW YOU CAN USE IT TO WRITE YOUR BOOK
9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Paki Hale, across from Kapiolani Park
3840 Paki Ave., Honolulu, HI 96815
Registration limited to 30.

Everything I Know About Writing Novels for Kids and How You Can Use it to Write Your Book

Rather than concentrate on one aspect of craft, Matt de la Peña will share his techniques for creating plot, mood, character, humor, description, angst, and more. You will have a chance to try out his techniques and by the end of the day you will have the seeds from which to grow your next novel. Don't miss your chance to learn from an award-winning author!

MARCH 1, 2014
SCBWI-HAWAII ANNUAL CONFERENCE FEATURING MATT DE LA PENA AND MARIETTA ZACKER
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
William S. Richardson Law School, University of Hawaii at Manoa
2515 Dole St., Honolulu, HI 96822
Registration Limited to 120

Hear what's trending in the world of children's books, polish your writing and/or illustration skills, meet other writers and illustrators, and take advantage of the option of having your work critiqued by a professional. In addition, Matt de la Peña will lead an optional, limited-attendance workshop to be held the day before the conference. Both days will be chock full of insider information that is sure to inspire both beginners and experienced writers and illustrators—and just might put you on the road to your first or next publication. Attend one or both days! 

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Matt de la Peña is the author of five critically-acclaimed young adult novels: Ball Don’t Lie, Mexican WhiteBoy, We Were Here, I Will Save You, and the Pura Belpre Honor Award-winning novel, The Living. He’s also the author of the award-winning picture book A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis (illustrated by Kadir Nelson), and a middle grade novel, Curse of the Ancients. He teaches creative writing at NYU and Vermont College and visits high schools and colleges throughout the country.

Marietta Zacker is an agent with the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency. Marietta has experienced children’s books from every angle–teaching, marketing, publishing & bookselling. She thrives on working with authors who make readers feel their character’s emotions & illustrators who add a different dimension to the story. She is also Book Curator at an independent toy store & bookstore.

For information, registration and conference materials, visit https://hawaii.scbwi.org/events/scbwi-hawaii-annual-conference/

ABOUT SCBWI:
SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) is the only professional organization dedicated to serving the people who write, illustrate, or share a vital interest in children's literature. With more than 22,000 members worldwide, SCBWI is the largest children's writing organization in the world.

SCBWI Hawaii sponsors an annual conference that brings together top professionals in the children's publishing world to share their knowledge and expertise. It's an excellent networking opportunity for those already established in the industry, and for those just starting to enter the world of children's book writing and illustrating.

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5th ANNUAL LIMU FESTIVAL, November 8-9, 2013

Opihi are shellfish that live clinging to rocky shores in Hawaii. But Iki, the littlest opihi, seeks adventure in the open ocean. Will he ever join the other opihi and learn to "stick to it"?

Join me in Hana, Maui for an author/artist reading of “Iki, the Littlest ʻOpihi” and keiki coloring and origami activities! 

There will be food, music and entertainment, a silent auction, and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Organized by Hāna residents, the event is designed to promote a deeper understanding of native limu and to make people mindful of their role in ensuring ocean resources are here for generations to come. This year the festival will focus on the important role communities play in the management of marine resources in Maui Nui.

Sponsored by non-profit organization Na Mamo O Mu‘olea and its partners, the County of Maui, NOAA and the Nature Conservancy.






Print and fold Iki, The Littlest ʻOpihi Origami:

Print a Hawaiian Intertidal Zone coloring and identification sheet: Hawaii's intertidal zone is home to a variety of plants and animals that are well suited to the push and pull of tides. When the tide is low, rocks are exposed to the hot sun. Shellfish hug the rocks to keep moisture in. Some snails even have an operculum, a "door" that closes shut to prevent them from drying out. When the tide is high, rocks are submerged and fish, mollusks and other creatures emerge from crevices and hiding spots under rocks, free to roam. Some animals even prefer the spray zone, where waves constantly pound the shore.  Plants and animals living in the intertidal zone must also adapt to drastic changes in temperature and the level of salt in the tide pools.  Tide pools can be fun, but you must use caution when exploring. Always wear protective foot covering. Rocks can be slippery, so watch your step. Beware of animals, like urchins, that can be venomous. Avoid stepping on and destroying plants and coral. If you overturn a rock, replace it the way you found it so that the plants and animals beneath the rocks aren't exposed to sunlight and drying out. And NEVER turn your back to the waves! Always be mindful of the sea and all its creatures.

©2013 Tammy Yee

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