By Stephen Shooster, Jim Boring
2 3 4 Shooster Publishing All Rights Reserved Copyright 2021 441 South State Road 7, Suite 10 Margate, Florida 33068 www.shoosty.com B U G S Shoosty Illustrations: Stephen Shooster aka Shoosty Stories: Jim Boring 5 W ithin the oeuvre of Shoosty’s (artist Stephen Shooster) many-faceted work, Bugs represents a category of illustrations depicting fanciful insects. The fascination with both real and imaginary insects goes back at least as far as the sacred scarabs of ancient Egypt. Shooster’s contributions to the genre are at the highest level of creativity and originality. The anatomy of his creatures, while familiar, is more at home in Alice’s Wonderland than in Linnaeus’s taxonomy. 6 OFFICIAL FIELD GUIDE TO SHOOSTY BUGS If comedy is the most difficult to write Moore once said poets create imag- then whimsy is the most difficult of inary gardens in which we find real comedy writing. Like the exquisite frogs. That’s what we are doing here. care with which Shoosty Bugs are represented the fact that the subject Fantasy is illusion. And illusion al- is light gives no leeway from the pre- ways has an aspect of reality to it that cision with which they must be repre- anchors the viewer/reader — some- sented. thing familiar to ease the way to the strange. The concept of creating a gallery of fantastic insects is in the tradition of In a non-fiction book of insects we art that insists on the participation might find accompanying text that of the viewer. Both the artist and the describes the context within which viewer know that the bug in question the insects appear in various circum- does not exist in the real world. Ex- stances and cultures. Shoosty Bugs cept that it does exist in the mind of borrows the style of such text (the fa- the artist and of the viewer where it miliar) to present a strange but some- stimulates that most potent human how plausible scenario. attribute — imagination. With Edward Lear on one shoulder In a fantasy the key is not merely to and Lewis Carroll on the other we write descriptive copy but to capture dove fearlessly into the deep. the whimsical mood of the art and to sustain the illusion that the world Jim Boring they create is real. The poet Marianne 7 The Kyoto Squish is responsible for the extraordi- Kyōṭō Skviśa nary cleanliness of the system. When threatened by the milling One of the most unusual defen- crowd the Squish flattens itself sive strategies in the entire in- into what resembles a bug that sect world is that used by the has been stepped on, causing Kyoto Squish. Found only in passersby to avoid it. the subway system in Kyoto, Work Cited: Adachiti, Tsuna- Japan the tiny Squish subsists mitsutu. “The Uncanny Squish on minute rice cake crumbs Bug.” Modern Japanese Ento- dropped by the huge crowds of mology, vol. 4, no. 23, 2020, pp. daily commuters. The Squish 21-23. 1. 8 4 The Kyoto Squish 38 Lapsidusia Beetles 11 Moonlight Dancers 40 Listonic Beetle 12 Sarcassian Beetle 43 Longbellied Artisan 14 Himalayan Mantis 44 Pandora Leaf Bug 16 Porcipian Wasp 46 Canadian Hairy Picadorus 18 Bong Roach 49 Beringian Beetle 20 The Oil Slick Skater 50 Cookoo Wasp 22 The Uncommon House Fly 52 Chicago Skywalker 24 Merisana Beetles 54 Recycler Hemiptera 26 The Lake Superior Fruit Beetles 56 Yellow Willow Pentatomoidea 28 The Watson Willowsnapper 58 Green Neon Beetle 30 The American Hardcase 60 Turquoise Jewel Bug 32 French Wistful Wiggler 62 The Striated Fingersnapper 34 Gengortius Bugata 65 Batscat Beetles 36 Borovian Botbird 9 10 Moonlight Dancers Mūnalā’ita Dānsara When mating the undu- lating line of Moonlight Dancers is often mis- taken for a box of Eber- hard #3 pencils. Work Cited: Lightbeam, Twilight L., editor. Dancing Lights. 1 ed., vol. 1, New York, NY, Dance Magazine, 2001. 1 vols. Public domain 1974 data- source, www.publicdomain1974data- source.com. Accessed 1 1 2017. 11 Sarcassian Beetle Works Cited: Sārkāsiyana Bīala Upper, Make R., Per- former. Sarcastic Sar- When therapeutical- cassian. 2049. 1, 1 ly applied to open ed., Pheasant Broad- wounds the moss-like casting, 2050. Pheas- fungus found only on ant TV, https://www. the belly of the Sar- pheasant.com. Ac- cassian beetle has cessed in the future been found to be inef- on Monday, Janus, fective. 2050 12 13 Himalayan Mantis Himālaya Manisa High in the Himalayan Mountains, at the boundary of the tree line, there grows a species of spruce tree famous for its durability, density and suitability to the making of violins. The Hima- layan Mantis nests in the highest branches of this tree and has never before been illustrated in such remarkable detail. 14 Work Cited: LeMusic, Affectionado. Lower Taxonomy Orchestra Highlights. 1 ed., vol. 1, Bavaria, Germany, LTO, 1645. 1 vols. 15 Porcipian Wasp Pōrsipiyana Bīṭala Under stress the Porcipian wasp squeals like a piglet emitting a shrill cry capable of disabling predators. Works Cited: Boddtor, Iloiloho. Porcipian: Intro- duction to Young Naturalists. 1 ed., vol. 1, Fred- ericksburg, Texas, AJ Houser, 1934. 1 vols. 16 17 Bong Roach Bōong Rōca The longest lived members of the phylum Archaica are the Bong beetles whose colorful appearance from hibernation in the second June of every other century gladdens the hearts of mankind. Work Cited: Marlea, Robert. Bong Man Beetle. 1 ed., vol. 1, New York, NY, High Times, 1982. 1 vols. 18 19 The Oil Slick Skater Tēla Slick Skēṭara The glistening carapace of the Oil Slick Skater demon- strates the capacity of all creatures to beautify the most ravaged environment. 20 Work Cited: Nordman, Captain Erol. “Oil and Insects.” American Jour- nal of Energy, vol. 5, no. 1, 2018, pp. 42-43. 1. 21 The Uncommon House Fly Asāmān’ya Ghara Phlā’ī Only its annoying habits of buzzing in ones ears and spreading Plague keep the lovely housefly from making an ador- able pet. 22 Work Cited: Wilsom, E. B. House Flies as Pets. 1 ed., vol. 2, Phil- adelphia, Pa., The House Fly Foundation, 1763. 4 vols. 23 Merisana Beetles Mērisānā Bīṭala Nomibian women wear live captured Merisana beetles as amulets to protect themselves against infertility and flyfoot. Work Cited: Kazemamamboo, Kazenimibo. “Insek Amulette Krag.” wetenskaplike namibië, vol. 1, no. 1, 1907, 32-33;66. Accessed 11 3 2019. 4 24 5 25 The Lake Superior Fruit Beetles Tāla Supīriyara Phala Bīṭala It is part of the oral tradition of the Chevroley tribe of Michigan that the only thing worse than finding a Lake Superior fruit beetle in your apple is to find half a Lake Superior fruit beetle in your apple. Work Cited: Yorkton, James M. “Lake Superior Fruit Beetles.” Lake Superior Entomology News [Grand 26 Rapids], 1 ed., no. 1, 15 September 1967, pp. 24-25. 27 The Watson Willowsnapper Vāṭasana Willowsnapper Insects communicate in a variety of ways. Some stridulate, some whistle, some rely on pheromones. They use these means to identify threats as well as mating pos- sibilities. But in the entire kingdom no in- sect, except the Watson Willowsnapper, has developed a communication system more sophisticated. Records of each in- sect’s unique print are kept in wax files in large hives conveniently situated within the insect’s territorial range. Works Cited: Vert, Intro p. “Willowsnapper Behaviour.” The Willowsnapper Journal, 28 vol. 3, no. 34, 1984, pp. 21-22. 20. 29 The American Hardcase (Amērikana Hārḍa Kēsa Bīṭala) Few insects have a more distinctive and recognizable carapace than the American Hardcase Bug. Found at countless outdoor activities in the United States, the colorful insect is best known as the inspiration for flag maker Betsy Ross. Work Cited: “The American Hardcase Bug.” 1979. Bugs, created by Everwise Malthrope, 1, 2 ed., season 1, episode 21, Scientific Not, 1976 January 1980, disc 303. American Journal of Non- 2 30 sense. 3 31 French Wistful Wiggler Phrēnca Wistful Wiggler The rasping, staccato mating song of the French Wistful Wiggler causes songbirds to fall from their perches and frogs to creak instead of croak. Works Cited: “The Mechanics of Creak or Croak.” Scientific Non-Sense, vol. 1, no. 1, 1305, 6 32 pp. 4-5. 7 33 Gengortius Bugata Jyenortius Bugata Popular legends regarding the Gengortius Bugata originate in the insect’s uncanny ability to forecast road conditions in urban areas. Work Cited: Farsheit, Gabriel. 2 “Forecasting Road Conditions.” Meteorological Roma, vol. 1, no. 1, 1891, pp. 28-29. 34 3 35 Borovian Botbird Bōrōbhiyana Bōṭa Carā In Abustan, high in the Cracosian mountains, the people revere the Boro- vian Botbird, a brilliantly colored beetle whose bite is known to have the power to increase intelligence in children. Work Cited: Myopiabinder, Rainer. Die kleine Welt. 1st ed., vol. 1, Würzburg, Friedrich-Elfenrtung, 1948. 1 vols 6 36 7 37 Lapsidusia Beetles Lapsidusia Tsokh The addition of crushed Lapsidusia beetles to any seafood transforms the taste to that of grass fed chirimakes. Work Cited: Maspeard, Gaston. “Grass Fed Chirimakes.” 6 38 Ancient Entomology, vol. 1, no. 1, 1881, pp. 16-17. 7 39 Listonic Beetle Lisṭōnika Bīṭala Although harmless, the fierce ap- pearance of the Listonic beetle is credited with being the sole rea- son for the creature’s evolution- ary success. Works Cited: Nayturk, Gustav van. “Evolutionary Success.” Safety by Appearance, vol. 1, no. 61, 1972, pp. 23-44. 40 7 41 4 42 Longbellied Artisan Longbellied Kārīgara Once considered a pest the Longbellied Artisan beetle is now both rare and highly valued for its use in fine art painting. Vermeer once remarked, “If only I could figure out how to steal the blue from these d***ed bugs.” Work Cited: Thinkour, Deep R. “Longbellied Artisan Habits.” The United States Journal of Insects, vol. 3, no. 14, 1978, p. 302. 3. 5 43 Pandora Leaf Bug Pēṇḍōrā Pāta Baga In a curious evolutionary adaptation the Pandora Leaf Bug is randomly toxic mak- ing it impossible for predators to determine whether the bug is edible. Work Cited: Scribber, Lazy ee, writer. “A Box Not to Open.” 2021. YumiDummee, 1, 1 ed., season 3, episode 10, Backseat Driver Pro- ductions, 4 September 2021. YumiDummie, https://www.YumiDummie.tv. Accessed 6 October 2021. 2 44 3 45 Canadian Hairy Picadorus Kyānāḍālī Kapāla Pikāḍōrasa The elaborate camouflage of the Canadian Picadorus is powerfully augmented by its hallucination inducing venom. Work Cited: Yuxwelton, welp. “Biological warfare bug.” 2Mad Magazine, vol. 1, no. 354, 1903, 34-35, 40. 2. 46 3 47 48 4 Beringian Beetle Bēriṅgiyana Bīṭala The colors of the Beringian beetle are said to have been cho- sen by the wife of the Altibar Noon to cele- brate his release from the charms of Portiana. Work Cited: Kant C, Blind m. “The Battle for Portina.” Altibar Noon, vol. 1, no. 1, 1633, pp. 32-36. 1. 49 5 Cookoo Wasp Kōyala Bhaisī Despite its name, the result of its erratic flight, the Cookoo Wasp is strikingly elegant in repose. Work Cited: Baad, Crack n., creator. Cookoo goes the Wasp. 1911. Performance by Crack n. Goode, 2, 2 ed., Insectus, 2011, disc 1. in- sectus, https://insectus/cookoo.com. Accessed 11 October 2021. 160 50 161 51 Chicago Skywalker Furrow, Edgar B. “The Role Śikāgō Skā’īvākara of the Chicago Skywalker in forming the Chicago Down- A familiar sight to diners in skyscraper town.” Architectural and In- restaurants in Chicago. The Chicago Sky- sect Journal of Science, vol. walker wing case mimics the skyline of 1, no. 1, 1763, pp. 29-33. 1. the city. 4 52 553 Recycler Hemiptera - Risā’iklara Hēmipṭērā A favorite of environmental scientists, the Recycler spends its entire life submerged in the detritus of urban garbage dumps where its characteristic belching call is often mistaken for tree frogs. Work Cited: Plotz, Barry. Recycling Phenomena. 1 ed., vol. 1, New York, NY, Recycling 54 Journal and Crosswords, 1990. 1 vols. 2 55 3 Yellow Willow Pentatomoidea Flavus Salix Pentatomoidea A muscular fly that favors gymnasium locker rooms. Often found admiring itself in mirrors. Work Cited: Tomahalle, Lynn. Pentatomoidea in Comics. 1 ed., vol. 1, Chicago, Il, Marvin Comics, 2021. 1 vols. 56 Actual Size 57 Green Neon Beetle Hariyō Niyana Bīṭala Often used as a substitute Bone, Fund y. “Neon for neon signs in saloons in in Nature.” Sign and northern Wisconsin. These Nature Magazine, eco-friendly creatures bright- vol. 1, no. 25, 1952, en the landscape on cold win- pp. 28-30. 1. 58 ter nights. 59 Turquoise Jewel Bug Phirōjā Gahanā Baga The gorgeous Turquoise Jew- el bug can be worn as a pin or linked together into bracelets. Canto, Carla. Insects and Jewels. 1 ed., vol. 1, Los An- geles, Ca, International Jewel- ry, 2021. 2000 vols. 60 6 61 7 The Striated Fingersnapper Work Cited: Finch, Brody. Sīdhā Aunlā Sn’yāpara Nature’s Ink. 201 ed., vol. 1, Wetumpka, Alabama, Sci- The clicking song of the Striated Fingersnapper is the first sign ence of Printing Inks, 2018. of Spring in the Alabama countryside. The bug’s ink resin is an 1 vols. essential ingredient in the fingerprinting of local scalawags and the printing of scholarly journals. 62 63 64 Batscat Beetles (Bubački Bubački) Florphus, the droppings of Batscat Beetles, has long been used as an aphrodisiac among the nearly extinct peo- ple of the Prenile Peninsula. 65 Soryus, Azeek Langley. “Neon Genesis Florphus.” Neon Genesis, vol. 1, no. 1, 1234, p. 1. Advance Responses from Trusted Sources “Stinging Satire.” - Entomology Today “Biting Commentary.” - Journal of Visions and Venom “Crawling with Crepuscular Creatures.” - Sundown Society “Couldn’t put it Down.” - Tacky Subjects “There’s Flies in the Kitchen, I Can Hear Them Buzzing.” - John Prine “Beauty is the Beast.” - Oscar Wilding 66 Sponsored by: SHOOSTY™ FINE ART 67 68 69 M3V8: FAST N’ FURIOUS N-ROACH BRAIN 2 M3V7: FAST N’ FURIOUS N-ROACH BRAIN
