About This Blog

My goal is to tell stories about the plants and animals in New Mexico through the eyes of my two main characters, Pinacate and Paisano.  These two animals are found throughout the state (even in cities) and nearly every human citizen has a funny story about either or both.

Pinacate beetles are commonly called stinkbugs, although they are not true bugs (Hemipterans) and not all are stinky.  The beetles are members of a diverse genus (Eleodes) found in all arid regions of North America and are so common that geographic entities are named for the them (the eponymous mountains and desert in NW Sonora).  They are well known for one particular behavioral feature: if you are walking along and cross paths with a stinkbug, it will immediately do a headstand and pause for quite a while with its butt up in the air.  It looks pretty funny, but this is a serious matter to the beetle.  Presumably, it is squirting foul smelling chemicals into the air as method to deter predators.  Those beetles that do not have the chemicals still perform the behavior.  I am one of those lucky individuals who does not have the ability smell the vapors and have picked up and played with (quite happily) hundreds of beetles during my lifetime. 

Eleodes is very well adapted to arid living; its wing covers (elytra) are fused, preventing water loss and the space beneath may act as a temperature buffer.  The vast majority of Eleodes are rather large (over an inch long) and intensely black.  During spring and fall, one can often see hundreds of beetles moving around.  They seem to live peaceful lives (although, we don't really know) and ignore one another as they walk about.  They are herbivores and will eat just about anything; however, one study reported beetles would rather starve to death than eat creosote leaves.  

Paisano (companion/friend/buddy) is the Spanish name for roadrunner, evoking the fondness immigrant New Mexicans have felt for the bird for over 400 years (I'm ashamed to admit I don't know any of the native American names - I'll find out!).  Roadrunners are everywhere, earning their position as honored state avian, but I don't often see them on roads.  They are cruising Central Avene in Albuquerque (true!), standing at attention on fence posts in rural areas, and fluttering clumsily through tree branches in riparian zones.  Voracious predators, they will eat anything they can catch, including insects, reptiles and even small birds and mammals.  It is common to see them beating lizards and snakes to death on rocks.  Roadrunners don't really fly, but they do flutter up into and roost and nest in trees.  They like high places, and can swoop down to the ground with frightening speed and power.  Their vocal range is amazing and individual birds can have unique (and otherworldly) repertoires of sounds.  Many urban birds are quite fearless and tolerate humans in close proximity.    

Both stinkbugs and roadrunners are quirky species.  Every New Mexican, and most Southwesterners, are familiar with the idiosyncratic behaviors each displays.  Neither beetle nor bird is a pest, so most humans have a positive attitude towards them.  I have many fond childhood memories including these two characters.  It seemed a perfect fit to have them speak about the land we inhabit.  

I've mentioned elsewhere that my goal with these stories is describe the flora, fauna and geology of New Mexico.  I will not discuss humans, nor any of our activities or influences - good or bad.  This is about them, not us. 

Thanks for visiting.  I hope you learn something positive.