Blaine's Bin Bugs

aking time this holiday to do something I have been meaning to do for a looooooooooooong time. And that is organize all my insect 'sets'. Right now most are displayed or stored taxonomically, but I think I am going to store them by set. It makes it easier to find out which figure was made by who and when. However for a taxonomic post it does mean I have to do more digging. You win some, you lose some.

I will do my best to get each set in one image. Will list the species/creatures presented. For generic sets, scientific names are on my assigning.

This most is mostly for my own organization, but can also serve as a reference for AFT and STS Members. Roger, feel free to use these for TIA, but if you want individual pics, you are going to have to use Photoshopping skills.

The first post will be a set that was released in conjunction with the Disney movie, A Bug's Life. I bought them at a mall toy store years ago and I don't think I ever know the manufacturer. From left to right, top to bottom:

scorpion, tarantula, centipede, ladybug, springtail (unique for Collembola), grasshopper, stag beetle, diving beetle (Dytiscidae), fly

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Our next set will be of a set of generic insects bought at a dollar store, probably in 1999 or maybe 2000. It is from an unknown manufacturer. The figures are a hard plastic, but not too brittle. If the paint looks like it has chipped over time, they actually looked like that when I bought them! Despite their generic appearance, I have not seen these sculpts repeated elsewhere!

There are 9 sculpts representing 14 figures. From left to right, top to bottom: centipede (two color forms), spider A (two color forms), grasshopper, spider B (two color forms), ant (two color forms), flea (two color forms; and fat! but fleas are so rarely made, it's a nice treat), cockroach, bee, fly.

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The next set will be the World of Nature Insect Collection by Funrise Toys (1989). I have already reviewed this popular set in detail, but here is a quick overview. Many very interesting species choices presented here.

Names are what they were marketed as; Latin names in parenthesis are of my assignment:

TOP ROW:
wolf spider, black widow (Lactrodectus tridecimguttatus), trapdoor spider, tarantula, Euscorpius, sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus).
SECOND ROW:
giant whip scorpion (Mastigoproctus giganteus), cockroach, king termite, common praying mantis (Mantis religiosa), migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), weevil (Lixus sp.).
THIRD ROW:
great diving beetle (Dytiscus marginatus), click beetle (maybe Ampedus species), death's head hawkmoth (Acherontia atropos), common hornet (Vespa crabro), tarantula hawk wasp, large headed worker ant (Pheidole megacephala).
BOTTOM ROW:
Dinoponera ant, bumblebee, tse tse fly, fruit fly, black fly, horse fly.

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The next set is Bug Blast!, part of the Groovy Tube Books collection by Innovative Kids. I have also reviewed this set in detail but here is the quick overview.

An interesting collection. Some are knock-offs of Toy Major, and a few are influenced by Safari's Smithsonian Insects collection. By the way, my set came incomplete. It was advertised as having 20 figures, but I only have 19. I think I am missing a bee. Figures are marked with a common name and the letter 'K' which is standard for Groovy Tube Books figures.

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin names are of my assigning):
scorpion, tarantula, garden spider, centipede, mantis, grasshopper, cricket, cockroach, dragonfly, luna moth (Actias luna, influenced by the Safari LTD figure), stag beetle (Prosopocoilus confucius, influenced by the Safari figure), queen ant, horse fly, worker ant, monarch (Danaus plexippus, influences by the Safari figure), swallowtail caterpillar, lady bug, rhino beetle, flea (Ctenocephalides, influenced by the Safari figure).

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The next set was called Jungle Bugs (unknown manufacturer) and purchased in the gift shop of a Rain Forest Cafe in Tempe, Arizona years ago. It came in a little bucket along with some plastic rocks and plants. The only animal in the set not represented here is a terrestrial snail I didn't retain since it's not in my taxonomic interests. The figures are very small, smaller than standard TOOB/tube/bin figures, yet there are some very interesting species choices here.

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin names are my assigning):
centipede, dragonfly, stink bug (rare among bin sets), caterpillar (something in the family Saturniidae, a rare choice), scorpion, stag beetle (Prospocoilus confucius), giraffe weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa), mantis, ant (Dinoponera species), grasshopper, bumblebee, julia (Dryas julia, unique in toy form), monarch (Danaus plexippus).

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The next set are a bunch of average-sized figures in a set called Creatures Collection by MTC. They came in a blister pack. Some interesting species choices, but definitely some artistic licence with regards to color. They are a sturdy plastic and early hollowed-out below, They have a hole and may serve as pencil toppers (for which I have seen some of these sold individually).

Left to right, top to bottom:
centipede, scorpion, spider, lady bug, dung beetle (nice choice!), stag beetle, longhorned beetle (tentatively identified as Rutpela maculata), rhinoceros beetle (Allomyrina dichotoma), beetle (Cleridae?), stink bug, weevil, bee.

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Next is the Insects TOOB by Safari LTD. I have not reviewed this set yet because my set is not complete (mine came missing one of the butterflies!). This is also the most recent release of the TOOB, with slightly better quality figures than the original, although they are still fairly generic. Some are definitely influenced by the Toy Major insects. Safari has put out some nice TOOBs in the last couple years, this would be a nice one to update with original, better sculpts!

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin names are my assigning):
scorpion, centipede (Scolopendra species), spider, cockroach, dragonfly, mantis, grasshopper, morpho butterfly (Morpho peleides; in the original TOOB, this figure had tails, which morpho butterflies do not possess!), swallowtail caterpillar, fly, ant, bumblebee.

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Next is the Animal Planet Head Tube Insect collection. The set was marketed by Animal Planet, but the figures were produced by Toy Major (all figures are marked with the classic TM logo). Color representatives of familiar, generic figures.

Left to right, top to bottom:
scorpion, spider 1, spider 2, grasshopper, mantis, dragonfly, lady bug, rhinoceros beetle, fly, bee, queen ant, worker ant.

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This next set by an unknown manufacturer was purchased at a dollar store in Arizona, some time between 2001 and 2006. They are flat, monochromatic, and not detailed on the underside. There are some very interesting choices here though, not things typically seen in bin sets.

Left to right, top to bottom:
cicada (rare form, with wings spread), rove beetle (rare choice), rove beetle (possibly Oxporus species), hister beetle, chrysomelid beetle, click beetle, weevil (Entiminae?), winged ant.

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I don't remember the name of this next set. It was purchased in the early 2000s, probably at a mall in Tempe, Arizona. I call the set 'flip bugs' because I do remember they were sold as a came where you apply pressure to the back end and the toy 'flips' into the air. I assume it's intended to be a game whereby participants see whose toy flies the farthest?!?

Any way, a cool little set. From left to to right, top to bottom:
stink bug, grasshopper, cockroach, flea, bee, ant, emerald weevil (Eupholus), beetle (tenebrionid?).

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This next set is called Bugs n' Jug by Imperial Toys (1990). I have previously reviewed this set but showing here for an overview. The set consists of 12 beetle figures, a pamphlet, plastic forceps, a small magnifying glass, and a small mesh insect net, and the whole set came in a plastic jar. The set was clearly designed to introduce children to insects and promote insect collection!

The figures are on average about 30 mm long and a slightly soft rubber/plastic, characteristic of many vintage figures. Some represent interesting and bizarre families; half I still cannot confidently place. I have been holding off posting this until I could confidently identify everything but finally decided to post them, in hopes maybe someone can recognize some.

Left to right, top to bottom:
beetle (maybe Chrysomelidae), beetle (probably Tenebrionidae), beetle (unknown), wedge-shaped beetle (Ripiphoridae), giraffe weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa, although it should be red, not green), beetle (possibly Alticini, beetle (unknown), click beetle (Elateridae), primitive weevil (Brentidae), fungus beetle (Erotylidae?), tumbling flower beetle (Mordellidae), stag beetle (Lucanidae).

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The next set is also a previously-reviewed set, the Itsy Bitsies Insects bucket by K&M International. This is a set of 18 figures. They are smaller than standard TOOB/tube/bin figures but are of a nice quality and texture. The set also came with a plastic rock and plant (not retained).

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin names are my assigning):
scorpion, spider, dragonfly, mantis, grasshopper, cricket, stink bug, cicada, ground beetle (Carabus), beetle, beetle (Cicindelinae?), lady bug, longhorned beetle, swallowtail butterfly, fly, wasp (winged ant?), ant, bee.

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The last set for now is the Insects Nature Tube by K&M International, also previously reviewed.

There are 12 figures, many the same sculpts seen in the Safari LTD TOOB and so many other generic sets.

Left to right, top to bottom:
scorpion, spider, centipede, mantis, cockroach, cricket, grasshopper, grylloblattid (often sold online misidentified as an earwig), dragonfly, ant, fly, swallowtail caterpillar.

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Going to knock off three vintage sets since I have the images handy.

The first set consisted of 9 figures, but only 8 were in the set (the eBay seller had several sets but in every one of them, the moth was removed; perhaps someone wanted the moths for a piece of art or something).

The names are what was printed on the accompanying packaging; left to right, top to bottom:
grasshopper, earwig, fly, bee, spider, soldier beetle, dragonfly, butterfly.

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This next set are very small, hard plastic, and brown (pretty good quality plastic actually). There were some non-insects in the set too (if I remember, an alligator, frog, lizard, maybe turtle). They are similar to the molds in the vintage Creepy Crawly Thingmakers sets, but if I remember those were larger than these.

Left to right, top to bottom:
pseudoscorpion, scorpion, 3 different spiders, lobster, crab, unknown (fairy shrimp?), unknown (crab larva?), centipede, silverfish, earwig, cricket, backwimmer (Notonectidae), beetle, 2 different stag beetles, beetle (Sagra?), caterpillar.

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The third set were rubbery magnet figures produced by DVS to be sold in vending machines.

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin or family names are my assigning):
longhorned beetle (Prionus?), rove beetle (Staphylinidae), sheep ked (Melophagus ovinus), chinch bug (Blissus?), mayfly nymph, stag beetle, ant, head-and-body louse (Pediculus humanus).

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A couple sets by AAA. These two sets were sold as sets, but the figures have been marketed in different combinations, and I am aware of other small AAA insect figures.

The first set is represented by eight insects.

Left to right, top to bottom (Latin names are my assigning):
emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator), dragonfly (Anax junius), grasshopper, weevil (marked on the underside as a dung beetle), two-horned rhinoceros beetle (Xylotrupes gideon), rhinoceros beetle (Dynastes hercules, female), lady bug, cicada, stag beetle.

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The second set is a collection of five spiders, all of which are generic and unlikely represent actual species:

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Here is a cut-and-paste of four spider-centric sets.

I. Play Visions – Habitat Earth: Tarantulas and Spiders
Release Year: 1995
Set Review: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Figures, left to right, top to bottom:

1. Indian ornamental tarantula, Poecilotheria regalis
2. Costa Rican zebra tarantula, Aphonopelma seemanni
3. Mexican red-kneed tarantula, Brachypelma smithi
4. black widow, Latrodectus mactans
5. green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans
6. black-and-yellow argiope, Argiope aurantia

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II. Club Earth – Spiders to Go
Release Year: unknown
Set Review: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Figures, left to right, top to bottom:

1.black-and-yellow argiope, Argiope aurantia
2. black widow, Latrodectus mactans [image courtesy of froggie – this is the one figure in all four sets I am still missing…]
3. wolf spider, gen sp. (possibly Lycosa tarantula)
4. red widow, Latrodectus bishopi
5. funnel-web spider, Megahexura fulva [note, at the time of this writing, this species is misidentified on TAI as Atrax robustus]
6. crab spider, Thomisus onustus
7. crab spider, Misumena vatia
8. purseweb spider, Sphodros rufipes [note, at the time of this writing this species is misidentified on TAI as Atypus sp.]
9. spitting spider, Scytodes thoracica
10. raft spider, Dolomedes plantarius
11. cobalt blue tarantula, Haplopelma lividum
12. tarantula, gen. sp. [I have tentatively identified this as an immature greenbottle blue tarantula, Chromatopelma cyaneopubescens]

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III. K&M International – Spiders Bulk
Release Year: 1997
Set Review: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Figures, left to right, top to bottom:

1. desert tarantula, Aphonopelma chalcodes
2. black widow, Latrodectus mactans
3. African baboon spider, Pelinobius muticus
4. spiny orb-weaver, Gasteracantha cancriformis
5. Mabel orchard spider, Leucauge venusta
6. St. Andrew's cross spider, Argiope keyserlingi

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IV. unknown manufacturer; a set of predominately Club Earth knock-offs
Release Year: unknown
Set Review: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

Figures, left to right, top to bottom:

A. black widow, Lactrodectes mactans [labeled ‘red widow’ on the underside; same sculpt as H (below)]
B. crab spider, gen. sp.
C. purseweb spider, Sphodros rufipes
D. raft spider, Dolomedes plantarius
E. green lynx spider, Peucetia viridans
F. spitting spider, Scytodes thoracica
G. Costa Rican zebra tarantula, Aphonopelma seemanni
H. red widow, Latrodectus bishop
I. tarantula, gen. sp. [this might represent the Mexican red-kneed tarantula, Brachypelma smithi]
J. crab spider, Thomisus onustus (blue morph)
K. tarantula, gen. sp. [I am thinking this might be an immature greenbottle blue tarantula, Chromopelma cyaneopubescens]
L. tarantula, gen. sp. [this is labeled 'tarantula' but is modeled after the CE 'wolf spider'; perhaps it is Lycosa tarantula?]

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I never knew that there are so many figures :)

What a precious topic !!!

Like Andreas, I am very impressed by the sheer number of models/sets !

But also that there are - among the very simple ones - so many nice ones. And that you can actually identify them

Here is an interesting set of 12 figures from an unknown manufacturer. The figures are larger than standard bin tubes, almost comparable with Wild Safari-sized figures. Some unique sculpts and a few interesting species choices.

Because of their size, breaking them into two images. first the non-beetles:
cricket, cockroach, cicada, wasp, bee, spider

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Next, the beetles:
tiger beetle (Cicindelinae), longhorned beetle, unknown beetle (I had always called this a buprestid, but not with much confidence; suggestions welcome!), lady bug, goliathine scarab (Trigonophorus rothschildi varians), dung beetle (Coprinae).

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A set of six generic figures, utilizing sculpts seen many times over and over...

dragonfly, grylloblattid, mantis, ant cockroach, cricket

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Three accessory packs by Schleich.

First the 'Butterfly Set' from 2015. It has two butterflies and an agave-like plant. The butterflies are generic, but the paint application on the orange one looks as though it might have been influenced by the monarch, Danaus plexippus and the yellow one was influenced by a sulfur butterfly in the family Pieridae. Both are generic though (and I don't think either would be associated with this plant in nature, but don't hold me to that).

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Next is the 'Death Valley Set', also from 2015. It has a scorpion, spider, millipede, and a cattle/bison skull. The millipede, which is quite well done given its small size, is a welcome change. There are several large, dark millipedes in the desert southwest, most in the orders Spirobolida and Spirostreptida. The spider and scorpion are too generic, although one could imagine the spider as the western widow, Latrodectus hesperus but it's lacking the red hourglass!

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Thirdly is the 'Scorpion Nest' from 2016. The scorpion is the same model from the Death Valley Set and the 'nest' has been used multiple times with other figures for similarly-styled accessory packs.

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I wonder all the work to regroup these once they were grouped taxonomically. It is always hard to choose a perfect formula to sort our big collections.
By the way, if I ever use these pictures on TAI, I won't surely crop all of them to get individual ones.

Roger wrote:

I wonder all the work to regroup these once they were grouped taxonomically. It is always hard to choose a perfect formula to sort our big collections.
By the way, if I ever use these pictures on TAI, I won't surely crop all of them to get individual ones.

I organize my collection taxonomically (I decided to abandon my initial thoughts, above), but if I image or display any of these, this helps me remember the manufacturer (if known) and set. But for storage and display, I am a taxonomist :-D