The Bug Man

So I admit that yesterdays post was a bit misleading. I am actually at an oil and gas installation. It is located on an island and is in the topic but it would best be described as a desert island. Well enough of the trivia.

Today I got to talking with one of the guys who is helping me on my current assignment. His nick name is Bug Man. Now this isn’t because of some unfortunate genetic mix up, it is because of his hobby and passion, collecting bugs

I drew common ground by telling him about my sweethearts’ interest and work with native plant species. He told me of his many adventures travelling the country and world in search of interesting bugs.

His favourite bug is the beetle genus Casticarina (a type of jewel beetle). He was very excited about a book that has just been published dealing specifically with this particular type of beast. The book apparently took more than 30 years of research and effort to get together. He enthused about the authors determination and how he would nominate him for the citizen of the year award. Fair enough, the work was done largely in the authors free time and expense. He also mentioned that some of the bugs he had identified turn up in the pages.

This evening he kindly lent me his copy (which I know is precious and of a very short print run). It is one of those expensively produced collector type edition, you know, heavy glossy paper and a silk book mark, very nice. As I randomly flicked through the pages I came across the acknowledgements in the back and sure enough there was his name – well done I thought. I then found a section of the book about the various collectors, past (from the 17th century) to present whose collections had helped the author. Sure enough I again found his name with a short bio – he is serious. Now I was hooked. I have spent the past hour going through all the specimens listed and found several attributed to the Bug Man and he even has two named after him.

I must say I am impressed. You often hear of amateur scientists contributing in a real way but I don’t think I have really met one before. Well done bug man for stepping up and making your mark.