jelly

[stardust-jelly]

is there really still time?

[stardust-jelly]

The Zebra isopod (Armadillodium maculatum) are detritivores that eat decaying organic matter, including hardwood leaves, tree bark, algae, and fresh plant matter. They can tolerate drier environments then many other isopods. They breathe through white gill-like organs called pleopodal lungs, it's located behind their last pair of legs. They need moisture but will drown if submerged for too long. They can produce a generation within 6 months in ideal conditions. Their considered average size for its genus and can reach sizes up to 18 millimeters. Their native to a small range in france, unlike lots of isopods it hasn't been introduced to other regions of the world.

[stardust-jelly]

The antler moth (Cerapteryx graminis) is part of the family Noctuidae, it's common species throughout Europe but isn't in dry southern regions. This species is unusual for a noctiud sexual dimorphism. The male has a wingspan of 27-33 mm but the female is larger with a wingspan of 35-39 mm. The forewings are brown and speckled with black and marked with a bold white branched basal streak which gives the species it's common name. The hind wings are dark brown with a white fringe. This moth often flies during the day, especially in warm weather and is attracted to a range of flowers. It also flies at night and is attracted to light, the adults fly around July to September. The larvae are greenish and change their color with age to grey brown to brown. They appear clumsy and have a roller shape. The species overwinters as an egg.

[stardust-jelly]

do you just post about bugs? oh i know im gunna like it here.

oh flip yeaaaaaa

[randomanimaloftheday]

Day 144#: Great Diving Beetle

Today's animal of the day is the Great Diving Beetle (Dytiscus marginalis)!

Photo credit: Vit Lukas

This species of aquatic beetle can be found throughout Europe and in parts of northern Asia. They inhabit slow-moving bodies of freshwater with lots of vegetation that they use to hide from both predators and prey. They are surprisingly vicious predators and will eat anything they can get hold of, including small fish and tadpoles! They have incredibly strong jaws compared to other similarly sized beetles, which they use to dispatch their prey. Males also have special suction cups on their first two pairs of legs that they use to hold onto prey, though their main purpose is to hold onto females while mating.

Photo credit: Evan Herk

These beetles can stay submerged for up to 30 minutes! They do this by hiding air bubbles underneath their wings before they dive to use them, sort of like an oxygen tank. They then use special holes on the sides of their bodies, called spiracles, to breathe in oxygen from these bubbles. In addition to swimming, these beetles are also fairly good at flying. However, they only really do so at night in order to search for new water sources to hunt in. As they fly, they search for the moon's reflection on the ground in order to locate a water source. Sadly, this sometimes causes them to get confused and crash land on hard, wet surfaces that also reflect moonlight, such as on a road, instead of in a pond or lake.

[stardust-jelly]

PEAK

[stardust-jelly]

The Woolly Chafer Beetle (Sparrmannia) is a fluffy African scarab beetle known for its unique coat of hair-like scales that acts as insulation,helping it. stay warm at night in the cold desert. They live in southerns Africa's arid regions and emerge at night to feed on vegetation. The larvae live underground and feed on roots and dung before they pupate and emerge as adults.Their attracted to lights can make them regulars at lit gardens in some areas. Some species can grow up to 25mm (about an inch), the "fur" is actually similar to the hairs on fly legs.

Guys look at it's bald spot

[stardust-jelly]

Pseudolaureola atlantica, or the spikey yellow woodlouse is a critically endangered, bright yellow, spiny endemic to the high altitude cloud forests in Mt. St. Hellens. It's 1 cm long, lives in trees, and is threatened by habitat loss. There is conservation effects being put into restoring its black cabbage tree woodland habitat. They inhabit the treetops, unlike most isopods who forage on the forest floors. It's exact diet isn't known but is believed to feed on spores and pollen.

Guys their so cute

[stardust-jelly]

guys I'm gonna use this blog for random stuff probably mostly bugs