the ideadex: a fakemon inspiration blog

hi! i am phoenix and i make the fakemans. this blog is where I collect awesome new ideas for weird things to turn into the fakemans, like bizarre animals or obscure myths or psychological concepts or idek. if you also make the fakemans then maybe some of these weird things will inspire you, too! asks and submissions are currently closed, but when they're open you'll be able to share your own ideas or ask for advice.

[herpsandbirds]

Malayan Slug-Snake (Asthenodipsas malaccanus), family Pareidae, Yala, Thailand

photograph by Leah Khananashvili

[heyyoufriendthere]

This new fish species is called Snuffleupagus. You can probably guess why | CBC Radio

S. snuffleupagus, a newly described species of fish, is named after the beloved Sesame Street character, Mr. Snuffleupagus, to which it bear

SNUFFLEUPAGUS REAL

[brightnessrandom]

Fantastic article!! The guys looking for it were fish researchers who saw it one time, knew instantly it was an undescribed species, and then tried for nearly 20 years to find and document it!

It's a type of ghost pipefish, related to seahorses, and it floats around coral reefs looking like a piece of algae and hunting unsuspecting prey

They are, of course, named after Snuffleufagus from Sesame Street!

Later on it the project, they got citizen science involved, and people across the Pacific started reporting sightings of snuffy fish from all over!

Hooray for science and hooray for S. snuffleufagus !

[natureisthegreatestartist]

What's this? The red-lined bubble snail (Bullina lineata), a marine gastropod. Bizarre and beautiful, yes?

[apocrital]

Do people know there are aquatic wasps? Because there are aquatic wasps. At least 150 species of them.

The degree to which they live their life in water varies, but almost all of them parasitise aquatic insect larvae – with the exception of the spider wasp Anoplius depressipes, which parasitises fishing spiders instead – and their offspring have to swim back out once they emerge as adults. A lot of them have longer claws than other wasps to help with gripping vegetation underwater and hairs that can trap air and make them somewhat hydrophobic. And they're all largely unrelated, they're thought to have evolved being aquatic at least 50 times separately!

Anoplius depressipes

One neat one I want to point out is Caraphractus cinctus. It's a fairyfly (Mymaridae), and if you've heard of them, you've probably heard they're small enough that they essentially swim through the air with their feather-like wings. C. cinctus takes that a little further by. Well. Swimming. They emerge as adults from the parasitised eggs of diving beetles (Dytiscidae) and the females immediately begin searching for new eggs, moving through the water using their wings and taking in oxygen from the water. They are seemingly able to survive for up to 15 days below the surface, and if beetle eggs are available then most females never do leave the water. Mating usually occurs underwater, although not within the beetle eggs as the Bennett paper says. I find it really cool that they can break through the surface tension by diving in head first, although they tend to just use vegetation to help them down.

From Jackson (1958)

Another really cool one is Hydrophylita emporos, which sometimes locates its host's eggs by catching a ride on the adult female damselfly's (Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus) abdomen and running down to lay their own once she starts ovipositing. Some, like C. cinctus, stay below the water their whole lives.

Hydrophylita emporos on the back of Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus, CC BY 2.5

Also, one of them is named after Godzilla (Microgaster godzilla). I think that's very important

Bennett, A.M.R. (2008) 'Global diversity of hymenopterans (Hymenoptera; Insecta) in freshwater', Hydrobiologia, 595, pp. 529–534

Jackson, D.J. (1958) 'Observations on the biology of Caraphractus cinctus Walker (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a parasitoid of the eggs of Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) – I. Methods of rearing and numbers bred on different host eggs', Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 110(17), pp. 533–554

Jackson, D.J. (1961) 'Observations on the biology of Caraphractus cinctus Walker (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a parasitoid of the eggs of Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) – II. Immature stages and seasonal history with a review of Mymarid larvae', Parasitology, 51(3–4), pp. 269–294 (not really referenced here but this isn't an essay it doesn't need to be one to one right)

Jackson, D.J. (1966) 'Observations on the biology of Caraphractus cinctus Walker (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), a parasitoid of the eggs of Dytiscidae (Coleoptera) – III. The adult life and sex ratio', Transactions of the Royal Entomological Society of London, 118(2), pp. 23–49 (these three are unfortunately not open access but if you can use sci-hub then 👀)

Shih Y.T. et al. (2013) 'Hydrophylita (Lutzimicron) emporos Shih & Polaszek (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) from Taiwan, parasitising eggs, and phoretic on adults, of the damselfly Psolodesmus mandarinus mandarinus (Zygoptera: Calopterygidae)', PLoS One, 8(7), e69331

Fernandez-Triana, J. et al. (2020) 'Microgaster godzilla (Hymenoptera, Braconidae, Microgastrinae), an unusual new species from Japan which dives underwater to parasitize its caterpillar host (Lepidoptera, Crambidae, Acentropinae)', Journal of Hymenoptera Research, 79, pp. 15–26

[bogleech]

Scientists discover creature with "all-body brain"

"This fundamentally changes how we think about the evolution of complex nervous systems," said biologist Jack Ullrich-Lüter.

We thought Echinoderms were brainless but no it turns out sea urchins (and maybe the other echinoderms) are brains.

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

The Caterpillar-Mimicking Spider: this species of jumping spider mimics a lichen moth caterpillar, possibly as a way to deter predators

This species (Uroballus carlei) is sometimes referred to as a caterpillar jumping spider or caterpillar jumper, because it bears such a striking resemblance to a caterpillar. It was discovered in Hong Kong just a few years ago.

Researchers believe that these strange little spiders mimic the caterpillars of local lichen moths, which may help to deter predators. Lichen moth caterpillars ingest toxic substances that make them unpalatable to predators, and they're covered in urticating hairs that cause pain and irritation when touched, so predators tend to avoid them. They also have aposematic features that advertise those defense mechanisms, making them an excellent model for mimicry.

The spider's resemblance to a caterpillar may serve as a defense mechanism against larger vertebrates, such as birds, and as a predatory ploy against certain invertebrates, like small beetles, thus allowing the spider to avoid being eaten while also enabling it to stalk and capture its own prey more effectively.

This article described the discovery back in 2019:

A new spider has been discovered, hiding in plain sight in one of the most populated places on the planet. And there’s a good chance it went undiscovered for so long because it doesn’t really look like a spider at all, but more like a fuzzy baby caterpillar. Its cute, fuzzy appearance has led the newly discovered spider to be named Uroballus carlei, after Eric Carle – author of the wildly popular children’s book The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Living alongside Uroballus carlei in the wooded areas of the Eastern District in Hong Kong are lichen moths. During the caterpillar stage, these moths are covered in bristly brown fur not dissimilar to Uroballus carlei. They live on a diet of lichen, and it’s this diet that gives them their name.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of Entomology: A New Species of Uroballus from Hong Kong: a Jumping Spider that Appears to Mimic Lichen Moth Caterpillars (PDF)

University of Manchester: Newly Discovered Jumping Spider is Master of Disguise

University of Manchester: Newly Discovered Jumping Spider Named for Children's Author

BBC: Spider Named After The Very Hungry Caterpillar Author, Eric Carle

[great-and-small]

I am constantly thinking about this

[great-and-small]

This mild Wikipedia sentence is like the understatement of all time

Here are some crazy grasshopper mouse facts for those who are not familiar with the most badass mouse species on the planet

- They are primarily carnivorous, and their diet is made up of not only bugs but also snakes, lizards and other mice.

- They hunt like true predators, slowly stalking and creeping up on their prey before ambushing them. They will sometimes let out a screech as they attack.

- Like wolves, they howl to establish territory and have a specially developed throat to produce louder vocalizations. They will stand up on their hind legs and throw their head back to howl- a sound that can be heard from 100 meters away!

- Grasshopper mouse behavior is linked to lunar cycles and they are more active during a full moon.

- These mice have been hunting bark scorpions and evolving alongside them for so long that they’ve evolved a mutation where scorpion venom that is lethal to other animals is converted into a painkiller in the grasshopper mouse’s body.

[heartnosekid]

theflowerhat on ig

excerpt from the original post: this is dictamnus albus—commonly called gas plant. on hot days, it emits a citrusy, flammable oil that briefly ignites when exposed to flame. it’s completely harmless to the plant, but incredible to witness.

[froggmoment]

this shit is REAL???

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

The Scorpion Beetle: this beetle has scorpion-like stingers on the ends of its antennae, and it's the only beetle that is known to produce a venomous sting

Onychocerus albitarsis, commonly known as the scorpion beetle, is a unique species of cerambycid beetle found only in the rainforests of South America. This species has a peculiar defense mechanism: its long, slender antennae are equipped with stinging organs that resemble scorpion stingers, and they can deliver a venomous sting that causes pain and inflammation in humans.

Onychocerus albitarsis is the only known example of a beetle with a venomous sting, and it's the only arthropod that is known to have stingers on its antennae.

This article describes the stinging apparatus in greater detail:

The terminal antennal segment of Onychocerus albitarsis has two pores opening into channels leading to the tip through which the secretion is delivered. The delivery system is almost identical to that found in the stinger of a deadly buthid scorpion.

Like social hymenoptera, the stings are administered in defense. This defense strategy would not be of assistance during the imperiled immature stages, but would probably be directed towards vertebrate predators of adult cerambycids, including birds, lizards, or even monkeys.

Adult scorpion beetles typically measure about 14-21mm long. This species is known to inhabit various parts of Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru.

Sources & More Info:

Naturwissenschaften: Convergent Evolution in the Antennae of a Cerambycid Beetle, Onychocerus albitarsis, and the Sting of a Scorpion (PDF)

Journal of Clinical Toxicology: Envenomations in Humans Caused by the Venomous Beetle Onychocerus albitarsis

Toxicon: Entomo-Venomics: the Evolution, Biology, and Biochemistry of Insect Venoms (PDF)

Middle East Research Journal of Medical Sciences: Characteristics of Venomous Coleopterans (PDF)

The Book of Beetles: Onychocerus albitarsis

[battfishe-deactivated20260313]

I see a lot of talk about common species like sharks and whatnot when it comes to marine life which is cool and good but you know what I don’t see people talking about? the batfish

this is a polka dot batfish. look at his cute legs and sweet little face. absolutely incredible. such a revolutionary creature. I fucking love batfish and you should too

[great-and-small]

Honestly surprised there’s not more hype in the notes for the red-lipped batfish. Nobody in the ocean is doing it like her.

[strawlessandbraless]

Skeleton Panda Sea Tunicate Appreciation Post!!! 💀 🐼 🌊

Clavelina ossipandae, the skeleton panda sea tunicate is a species of colonial ascidian, also known as sea tunicates, a group of sessile, marine filter-feeding invertebrates. Just some funky little guys!

First discovered near Kume Island in Japan by local divers, pictures of the animal attracted media attention in 2017. But they weren't given their formal taxonomic description until 2024

Love to sea it 🌊

[artifacts-and-arthropods]

Meat-Eating Caterpillars: less than 1% of all known lepidoptera (moths and butterflies) are carnivorous, and even fewer are known to hunt and kill their prey; these are just a few of the exceptions

Above: a carnivorous pug moth caterpillar, Eupithecia orichloris, ambushing a fly

Lepidopteran predators are extremely rare, but they do exist. Some of the most interesting examples include the carnivorous pug moth caterpillars of the genus Eupithecia, the ant-eating casebearer, the Hawaiian snail-eating moth, and the bone-collector caterpillars of the genus Hyposmocoma. Curiously, almost all of the species on this list are endemic to Hawaii.

Above: Eupithecia orichloris

The carnivorous pug moth, Eupithecia orichloris, is probably the most famous predatory caterpillar in the world, thanks to the striking and unusual method by which it captures its prey -- this species is an ambush predator that often disguises itself as a twig and then pops up out of nowhere, violently plucking its prey from the foliage. Eupithecia is the only lepidopteran genus that is known to contain ambush predators, which makes this behavior seem even more striking.

The ant-eating casebearer, Ippa conspersa, is another carnivorous caterpillar that feeds on ants and other insects (both as a predator and as a scavenger). This species uses silk, sand, and other fine debris to build a flat, peanut-shaped "shell" around its body, and the "shell" acts as a kind of camouflage, allowing the caterpillar to sneak into ant nests and hunt.

Above: the ant-eating casebearer and its unique "shell"

As its name implies, the ant-eating casebearer often feeds on ants, but it has also been known to eat cockroaches and other insects.

Above: an ant-eating casebearer feeding on a cockroach

Hyposmocoma molluscivora, commonly known as the Hawaiian snail-eating moth, is a casebearing caterpillar that feeds on live snails. It uses strands of silk to immobilize its prey, tethering the snail in place so that it can climb into the victim's shell and feed on the soft flesh within. The caterpillars of this genus are the only lepidopterans that are known to feed on molluscs; all of the other predatory caterpillars feed on arthropods (insects and arachnids).

Above: this photo shows a Hawaiian snail-eating moth using strands of silk to hold its prey in place

The genus Hyposmocoma also contains the predatory "bone-collector" caterpillars, which cover themselves with the body parts of other insects and arachnids, often scavenging the leftover pieces from spiderwebs. They carefully trim each piece of exoskeleton and then arrange them all together onto a portable silk mesh.

The caterpillars often live side-by-side with spiders, as they opportunistically feed on the insects that they find trapped in spiderwebs, and their macabre body ornaments likely serve as camouflage; they allow the caterpillar to avoid being detected or attacked by spiders.

Above: a bone-collector caterpillar covered in the body parts of other insects, including a large weevil head that is clearly visible near the center, several ant heads, a fly's leg, the abdomen of a bark beetle, a wing, and several pieces of antennae, among other things

Other carnivorous moths have been featured in at least two of my previous posts, including this post about the "vampire moths" of genus Calyptra, which have been known to drink human blood, and this post about planthopper parasite moths, which are technically more parasitoid than predatory.

Sources & More Info:

Journal of the Lepidopterists' Society: Predatory and Parasitic Lepidoptera

GeoJournal: Behavior, Biogeography, and Conservation of Eupithecia in the Hawaiian Islands

Korean Journal of Applied Entomology: The First Record of the Myrmecophilous Tineid Moths of Genus Ippa in Korea

Nature: Caterpillars Eat Snails Out of House and Home

Science: Web-Spinning Caterpillar Stalks Snails

NBC: Hawaiian Caterpillars Hunt like Spiders

National Geographic: This Camouflaged Critter Wears Severed Insect Body Parts like a Coat

Scientific American: Carnivorous "Bone Collector" Caterpillars Wear Corpses as Camouflage

Science: Hawaiian Caterpillar Patrols Spiderwebs Camouflaged in Insect Prey's Body Parts

[bunjywunjy]

excuse me? did you just say that frogs with eyes in their mouths actually happen in real life? what kind of developmental fuckery would even have to take place for something like that to occur?

it's not as unreasonable as you might first assume! because frogs, for reasons known only to themselves, evolved to use their fucking EYES to help them swallow food.

the way this works is: frogs don't have any bones between their eye sockets and their mouth, so when a frog swallows a thing, part of the process is that they squint their eyes closed and from the outside, their eyeballs kind of sink into their head,

but what's happing inside their mouth is that THEIR EYEBALLS ARE PORTRUDING BACKWARDS INTO THE THROAT CAVITY AND JUST. SHOVING THE FOOD DOWN THERE BY SHEER MANAUL FORCE.

if you are unlucky enough to be in the frog's mouth while this process is happening, you get to see their eyeballs through their mouth skin! yay!!! (also you get swallowed)

but yeah anyway, it's not really a far cry for a frog to experience a mutation that puts their eyeballs at the back of their sockets instead of the front, i.e. in their mouth full-time.

just be glad that your own mammal physiology prevents this from being a thing that could happen to you or anyone you know.

[geologyin-blog]

Pineapple Opal

Pineapple opal —also known as ananas opal —is an exceptionally rare variety of precious opal found exclusively in the White Cliffs regi

Pineapple opal—also known as ananas opal—is an exceptionally rare variety of precious opal found exclusively in the White Cliffs region of New South Wales, Australia. These specimens are named for their distinctive pineapple-like shape, formed by the replacement of a spiky, radiating mineral structure.

[mutant-distraction]

Subhash Nair - Wildlife & Nature Photography

The Galaxy Froge Shot from western ghats of Kerala

[herpsandbirds]

Yellow-breasted or Indochinese Green Magpie (Cissa hypoleuca), BATH TIME!!!, family Corvidae, order Passeriformes, Viet Nam

photographs by Leo Ngo

[blackcoffeedreams]

Meet the Wooly Devil! 🔥🌿

A brand-new plant species—Ovicula biradiata—was just discovered in Big Bend National Park, Texas. Not only is it a new species, but it belongs to an entirely new genus in the daisy family!

📸: Photo by NPS/D. Manley, NPS/C. Hoyt. Research by National Park Service botanists.